No particular order
This is about as lazy as days get, a little trip on a row boat to fish without catching anything, playing on the beach, grilling some food and eating wild blueberries from the forest. Smallsteps had literally eaten 500+ that she had picked herself.
I thought this tiny pine growing on the beach was a cute lead in picture.
Better than these two old fellas.
We are just getting ready for the 2 hour drive back home, but it has been a nice 24 hours away. My wife goes back to work tomorrow and I think she is happy that we got here for what is probably the last time.
Every meal was grilled.
While I am not a huge cottage life fan, I do like taking photos around them. There is something simple and natural about the feel and I appreciate why so many enjoy their time here.
Smallsteps loves it. It is like she is home. She is going to miss it when it is gone.
As will Viski the dog. Who loves the freedom of the cottage. No cars, no leash, plenty of rocks in the lake to dive for.
Time to load up the car and head back to civilization, which is often far less civilised than it claims to be. Smallsteps is very tired and will sleep the entire trip, which means she won't be too keen on having an early night, but that is fine for the summer evenings.
Hope you enjoyed the photos of Finnish cottage life.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
A very pleasant relaxed atmosphere with family. I really enjoyed your post. Thank you for sharing life in Finland. Good luck to you and your beloved family.
Thanks.
That is a child's heaven! You can see it in her face in the pics. I'm so glad your family got away for this weekend. May there be many such days in our futures. Just have to make it through this rough patch.
She loves it so much - a child of the forest :D
!ENGAGE 10
ENGAGEtokens.A nice visual of what it means to escape, I see. Even a homebody like me could use a breath of fresh air. While I only step outside for it, these pictures helped me get away, more than I have in awhile.
Do you ever get out of the city or are you more at home in the urban jungle?
I'm rethinking what it means to be home, but I can't deny I love the city life. More than anything, all of these guidelines are leaving a lot to be desired - some sort of getaway. I'm at a crossroads. As I type to you, I feel very close to packing my most precious belongings, walking out the door, and secluding myself like Thoreau.
It might not be a bad idea to get away for a bit then - you have somewhere you can go?
Now that you mention it, I have somewhere in mind. Frankly, I’m uncertain as to whether I’ll be welcome these days, but I owe it to myself to go. Thanks for lifting me up today, Taraz.
Well, that sounds like something to test before it is too late.
This though!
Wonderful place, are your in-laws selling it off?
Yeah, they are selling it probably next spring - it is hard for them to maintain now and there is always something. Getting up on the roof when you have trouble tying shoelaces isn't a good idea.
Yes, very true. Age will eventually get to us all in the end.
Hey, @tarazkp, Finland has many beautiful lakes. So, did you leave Australia, warm and food-rich, and live in Finland now?
I like Australia better than cold Finland.
I always enjoy your beautiful and happy photos.
Thank you for your posting!
I have been in Finland for 17 years now - Last time I was in Australia was 12 years ago :)
A lot of people will agree with you. :D
!ENGAGE 10
ENGAGEtokens.Looking good mate. I do not see you overweight. Both, you and the old Viski looks pretty and solid. Well, it may have also been due to the angle of the camera shot. Or who knows? it could also have been that you quickly burned off the excess of fat and calories by destroying things around the house in this past two weeks. Haha
But one thing is sure. As always, every pic in here looks fantastic. And I dunno why, but I have the hunch that smallsteps most probably will inherit the property of her beloved grandparents in the distant future just to keep everyone happy and 'in good shape' to the two old fellas. :)
It is all done with smoke and mirrors.
Not this one at least -it will likely be sold next spring. They aren't so happy about it, but they struggle to take care of it now - but don't want anyone else to take care of it for them.
Nah! I suspect it's rather your successful workout regime to lose weight quickly as house destroyer that you don't want to reveal the secret until you can patent it first. :p
I'm willing to bet an awful heap of Steem that smallsteps will end up owning her grandparents memorable cottage without any interference whatsoever. :)
The "Demolition man" workout
She will own it in her memories - or have to split it with the 4 other grand kids ;D
LoL. Is it already patented?
I think there is no problem with that. Smallsteps already looks like a solidary little lady. :)
!ENGAGE 10
ENGAGEtokens.The chance to get away during these trying times can't be overlooked. It is easy to feel like you are cramped in your home with the same people doing the same things every day.
My youngin turns 13 this week, so I've been trying to contemplate some sort of day trip or something, just to get us out of the house. We don't really have a "go to" place we like to escape to. Looks like you guys have a good one. Nice images of a good and relaxing time!
Anywhere is good - even if just for a few hours to change scenery. A lot of my friends have been day-tripping and quite enjoying seeing things that are close, but they haven't visited before. Perhaps people are appreciating what they have close by a little more than they were 6 months ago.
!ENGAGE 10
ENGAGEtokens.Was the water too cold for a swim?
No, it was quite nice, but there was a strong wind.
Your photos are pretty. I'm a fan of Finland. I had a Fin friend and he always gave me great photos. He lives in Lahti. One of the countries I want to see is Finland. I hope this dream comes true one day.
Finland is very picturesque - though it is easier to take photos in the summer than winter... They don't make gloves thick enough for photography :D You should visit when you have the chance.
Lahti is where @markkujantunen is and he takes a lot of photos from around that area.
Hahha :D I can imagine :) My friend's beard was freezing in winter :D I love snow very much and it doesn't snow where I live. I'm a little unlucky about this.
!ENGAGE 10
ENGAGEtokens.I did enjoy very much the photos, looks like it has been a relaxing day. Well deserved!
It was nice to be away and the wind died down today also. One benefit of the wind however is that it keeps the mosquitoes at bay.
I am glad for all of you, spending time in nature is so refreshing. There is a sort of tranquility and calm you can't get from anywhere else.
Mosquitos suck lol.
I love the dog. Nothing better in a household than a loyal family pet. Makes everything more enjoyable.
He had his 14th birthday on Friday and is slowing down a lot - but at the cottage he feigned being a puppy. He is a good dog - poorly trained - but well-natured.
Had a dog like that for 15 years. He had selective hearing but the kindest and best natured dog i have ever seen. Lovely to have around the place.
@tarazkp me gustó muchísimo este post, de los que lees y te relajas
glad you enjoy it :)
What a delightful set of photographs. Smallsteps proves that fishing is serious business.
It's sad that there is a last trip.
I feel about horses the same way you feel about cottage life. I like them just fine as long as they are in somebody else's pasture.
Sh was very serious out there on the water - a little grumpy too :D
There are always lasts - but we are trying to convince them to find a place they can rent instead - no maintenance but they can keep their life. The problem is - *they really value ownership. I understand that.
I was thrown off a race horse at seven years of age - never got back on.
Oh yeah and so well done!
Those pictures speak of serenity and love.
Mother nature just has that knack to bring calming effects to the soul, so as to say everyting will be alright.
I also seriously dislike leaving her welcoming arms.
I feel that I am slowly getting the hang of nature - I am a country kid who spent most of his life in urban areas - but never really settled. The house is a go-between for now, but it might lead to somewhere else later.
You can never go wrong in getting the hang of nature my friend.
We are both country kids that grew up in urban areas for reasons of circumstances.
Once we left the urban area 2 years ago and settled here, a new life of serenity has opened up to us.
But I have always had to still this longing, once again because of circumstances.
Now at last I am free to enjoy it and I hope thar you will also reach your own nirvana in life.
Looks like a grand time, even for a short trip. It's amazing how the shoulders will let down and things like fresh blueberries and the splash of water on the beach seem as important as all the must-do items back home.
Small things matter. I used to "recharge" as a student by sitting alone in the dark at the beach and listen to the waves. I love being close to water - but I can barely swim. The sound of waves on the sand is one of the best sounds on earth.
Glad you had a nice get-a-way to regroup and refresh!
I think it is important for all of us to find a getaway point - it used to annoy me to be there a bit, but this year I felt much calmer.
I think this year we all needs that extra something to keep us in check!
Hola @tarazkp... Hoy es un Día muy especial para todos los niños…
Hello @tarazkp... Today is a very special day for all children...
Feliz Día del Niño… Por favor visita este enlace, Gracias.
Happy Children's Day ... Please visit this link, Thank you.
That is kind of sad that it's the last time you'll be out there but at least you got out there again. The parents can't do the AirBnB thing with it? Too much maintenance work? Not that it's a particularly great year for AirBnBs and the like anyway x_x
J and I actually love that lifestyle, the only problem with it is it tends to be far away from a lot of the other things the kids like x_x
They like to take care of things themselves and my FIL is getting dizzy spells whenever he bends to tie his shoelaces. He still gets up in the roof :/
Most of these cottages aren't low maintenance.
I wouldn't mind having a cottage - for example in Spain or southern France :)
D:
Stubborn old farts. It's like my aunty (late 60s) when I told her NOT to attempt to remove this giant root ball from a small tree thing that had been lopped from her yard and that I would come help and if it was too much for us I'd bring JJ on the weekend and we'd take care of it. Guess what she did. Lucky she didn't get a freaking hernia x_x
that's probably where we're headed so can't say anything
I will complain about old people until I am old enough to complain about the young - which started quite a while ago - this is the changeover period :D
Take full advantage of the fact you can currently complain about everyone XD
I am going to exercise my rights to complain for as long as possible :)
The scenery in those photographs is what got to me the most. Interesting story.
Is the little girl's name Smallsteps though?
On chain that is her name :)
Okay. She's cute!
Could you please give her a high five on my behalf ?
😃😃
Sure thing. Hive5 on the way.
A couple more blueberry shots and you could have used them for content dividers ;)
Being in direct contact with Nature is the best experience for a growing kid, I'd say. We're trying to bring it along, too, although the E.M.D. is too young to keep memories of what she's seen. But I guess it is a good start and laying the grounds for further such experience is still somehow important. No shock later, less unexpected reactions, etc... Yeah, still wild guessing. I love this kind of life despite being able to sample it for a week at a time only. And I believe future generations should have it all the way we were able to.