What have I done these last months?

Now that it's getting colder, the New Forest is really beautiful. The frost makes it really mystical. 

Aside from exploring the forest by our new home, I've spent lazy mornings walking along the beach. I love the little beach huts and the hazy winter sun. 

Most of my time has been taking up by reading for my dissertation. It's going to be based on Tolkien and the Icelandic sagas, so I've spent many cozy mornings in Starbucks reading and drinking christmassy lattes :)

What have you been up to my dears? Do you love the wintertime like I do? 

the little nordic cabin

x

Heatwave

I have never experienced heat like this before. The little town I am staying in, Falun, is in a valley which means that the summers are extremely hot and the winters are extremely cold. The last two days have been so incredibly hot and it has been a little hard to adjust. Yesterday I spent the day in a very grumpy mood, quite unable to do anything due to the heat. Today was far far better. We woke up and walked to the little supermarket to buy some food for our picnic. Then we cycled up to the lake - an enormous effort since it was uphill the entire way! As soon as we got there we ran straight for the lake and jumped in for a swim. One of the things I love most about Sweden is the fact that the nature cannot be owned by anybody and that anyone is allowed to be there. This means that you can swim in any lake that you find and walk in any area you like - far better than all the prohibitions and restrictions you find in England. After our swim we set off walking around the lake, through the forest, finding a beautiful log shelter on our way which was perfect for our picnic! After one last swim in the icy water (it was so strange to be shivering in the cold water one minute, to be absolutely boiling again the next) it was time to go home. Cycling through the forest, downhill with the wind in my hair was such a lovely feeling. Even though I have been here many times now, I still cannot get over how beautiful the scenery is. I often wobble on my bike purely because I am too busy looking around and staring into the forest to concentrate on where I am going! It's the most perfect place in the world.

inspire nordic

Weekend Adventures

What activities do you like to do at the weekend? Both yesterday and today my boyfriend and I took our bikes and cycled to the forest on the edge of his little town. We took some drinks with us and stopped at the local supermarket on the way to buy some chocolate. The forest here is absolutely beautiful and if you have the energy to cycle or walk uphill a little you are rewarded at the top with some of the most breathtaking views over the town. Cycling is such a lovely way to get around, especially when it's such a lovely sunny day! Today we went up to where the towns ski jumps are and wandered around a little, picking some flowers - I am amazed at how many pretty wildflowers they have here! 

I hope you had a relaxing weekend. 

inspire nordic