Speaking of summer, last weekend we took a train to the west coast of Sweden to spend a few days sailing with our wonderful neighbors (who we call the kids' Swedish grandparents). Henrik has had his boat Maja for forty-five years! We didn't do any actual sailing (we motored around because we didn't have the best wind conditions), but we had a great time island hopping, fishing, and just chilling out. The boys loved it! If you're curious, here are some photos.
We took a train (technically we took three trains and two buses) to Lysekil, where our neighbors met us. James and August looked too cool as we headed out the first night. We anchored on a low, small island called Flatholmen. It was perfect for climbing around and playing hide-and-go-seek, August's favorite game right now.
The views from the top of the island were amazing, and I loved this little fishing village tucked into a small cove on a neighboring island.
Both boys had fun collecting crab claws and stuffing my pockets with them. (On our way home a few days later, I reached into my pocket so I could pay for our train ticket and I pulled out a handful of crab claws!)
The boys loved fishing, even if they weren't successful.
The next day, while the boys and I napped down below, Henrik and Agneta took us to another island. It was cold and rainy and they got soaked while we sailed, but by the time the boys and I woke up, we were docking at a lovely, green island under clear skies. James and the boys and I ran off to find ice cream and explore the island a bit, which was so different from Flatholmen.
Maja is the wooden sailboat you can see closest to the camera.
This old dock looked so rickety, I couldn't imagine it was still in use. But the next morning, a woman walked out of the cottage across from it wearing a bath towel, walked to the end of the dock, and got in the water!
The kids loved "playing chess", which mostly involved putting all the white pieces on white squares and the black pieces on black squares, and then being done.
Koster, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, watched over all of us and got so attentive and worried when August or Leif left the boat. He'd whine and watch for us until we were safely back on board.
This was my first overnight sailing adventure, and I had such a great time. We were worried that the boys wouldn't like being on the boat or it might feel too cramped, but it was perfect. They thought everything was so cool and loved all the ropes and knobs and buttons to push. The food and the company were wonderful, and we can't wait to do it again!
What was your favorite trip or excursion this summer? Have you ever been sailing? Do you get seasick? I'd love to know!
All photos by me.
Sophia says
Your trip looks so gorgeous! I can't quite get my fill of the skies and light and water during the summer. I feel nostalgic already and it is only August. Also, I wasn't even on your vacation, I was on my own, but it still has that effect.
Jodi says
There is something about the quality of the light and all the water that makes summer here in Sweden feel so different from everywhere else I've been. And it's so easy to feel nostalgic about, I think, because the whole season feels frozen in time.
KP says
How special to have such a relationship with your neighbors! I love picturing you reaching in your pocket and finding crab claws! I definitely get sea sick. 🙂
Jodi says
We have the best neighbors in the world. =)
Katie says
What a gorgeous trip! Frank and I had our first "this is a relationship" date/trip sailing to Catalina, one of the Channel Islands, with a few of his coworkers. I learned about his seasickness and general propensity to vomit () but enjoyed every bit of the trip, and it ranks high on my list of perfect dates.
I love the blog, Jodi! Thank you for your eloquence and candor!
Jodi says
Thanks, Katie! Your trip around Catalina and the islands sounds fantastic - something I never knew you'd done. I'm glad you enjoy the blog, and hope you continue to do so (and that I continue to write it, as it's so hard to find time while preparing for our move).