We’ve had such a delightful week. A bit of (unexpected) adventure, hanging out by the water, happy dogs and good food to celebrate.

The travel advice for Sweden remained unchanged, which means that we can leave home for a trip about 1-2 hours from home. All the hours of daylight are a real treat to go out exploring. I often search for places via google maps. On the satellite images I try to determine which places can be fascinating or beautiful – and whether we can get there. Sometimes that is disappointing and a road is closed, inaccessible by a fallen tree, or it appears to be the private domain. This week was a five-fold jackpot even though hours of detective work were involved. For example, I had a photo and the name of an area of one of the locations. That is not like knowing a street name and just looking for the house number, but rather finding that spot by means of light, maps, and other clues in an area of many kilometers.
The ultimate goal may be a specific location, but being on the road often yields unexpected treasures, such as the lovely cabin above. It just stood there in the forest.

But then, one night after a lot of walking and searching, we arrive home tired and Joeri realizes that his key (which he absolutely couldn’t have fallen out of his pocket) had disappeared. Damn! A difficult search while the twilight slowly took over. Luckily I was able to give myself access to our house and open the door for Joeri ?

Joeri wanted to immediately buy a new lock, but I was looking forward to a new quest. We do walk anyway ?
Fortunately, all our keys have such a bright DOGvision keychain because we saw it from meters away!

Friday the 22nd we celebrated my birthday together. Not with friends as we initially planned but just with the 5 of us.
Unexpectedly, it was beautiful spring weather to almost 20 degrees, a lovely sun and charming clouds that sailed by. A fresh breeze rippled the bright blue water surface and the birds sang as if it were the first day of spring.

The paddleboard had to come along on such a beautiful day. Until now it had only come out as a means of transport to trim the grass in the lake, now I just wanted to bob around and get the doggies used to wobbling again 🙂

When Joeri asked me what I wanted to do about a week before my birthday, I had no idea at first. Normally friends would visit and I had planned a workshop the days before. Neither of the normal/festive / birthday activities was possible.
So I said, “Cake!” and as if Joeri wouldn’t immediately know what I meant (after all, I’ve only been eating the same cake on my birthday for 30 years), “Real banana cake!”
That is, with a bottom of shortcrust pastry. But then vegan. No idea how it all works but Joeri made the perfect cake and I just had to share with him. Double win haha.

And then, right on time, just before we left for our secret place, the postman arrived with a package for me. And look how cool, chocolates with pictures of my dogs! Big thanks to Eddie, Marion, and Noemie

So yeah, this week was pretty much the opposite of what we initially planned, but nothing short of great memories for my new tour around the sun. For everyone who thought about it, sent a message or video, sent cards or presents: a big thank you.
Also to that one person who even remembered that my birthday was also the day when we had to say goodbye to Ravasz 2 years ago. I have already tried to look back with pleasure at almost 13 years with him. But I guess that all dog lovers know that one day this comes easier than another.

By the way, today I planted all my vegetables outside because inside it started to get seriously out of hand. Let’s hope it won’t freeze or hail anymore!

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