My wife had organised a surprise mini getaway for last Sunday. I only knew what time we would leave and what to pack and that we would take out bikes with us but the rest was a mystery. I did have my guesses since i knew the schedule meant public transportation which would mean a train because that's kind of the only option with bikes. I ended up guessing the train destination correctly but didn't guess where we would bike from the station! The destination was and old town with ironwork history (not sure about the correct English word - Ruukkikaupunki in Finnish). It is a tourist destination nowadays with lots of little boutiques and galleries and restaurants/cafés. We spent a leisurely day exploring, eating and people watching. Had such a lovely day with my favourite human. It was sunny and warm with some rain in the afternoon. The pictures are from the bike journey since i just focused on the moment once at our destination and forgot to take photos.

We had such a good midsummer past weekend. Started on Thursday after work with a long bike ride to plug off after a hectic short week. Then on Friday morning I went on another long ride and ä after lunch we headed to my wife's parents' place to hang out with them and a couple or their friends for the rest of the day. We ate so much good food and had such a fun time. It felt like a mini vacation. We rode our bikes home under the midsummer evening sun - the bottom pic is around 10 pm when we left the party. It was such a beautiful night.

On midsummer day, Saturday, we woke up early but slowly and drove to my parents' place for lunch. My brother and sister-in-law and her parents were also visiting and it was nice to see everyone albeit we were tired from Friday. We took the cats with us so they didn't have to spend another day alone at home and got to have a little midsummer adventure. We all were tired when we got home Saturday afternoon.

Jokes on me. I thought I was on the other side of the rough patch yet here i am still going through it.

It will be fine. I will be fine. The grief will dissipate and I will find purpose again other than going through the motions of work, working out, errands and housekeeping.

There are good things going on as well. I just need to actively turn my focus to them or else I find myself in quite a downward spiral.

-summer is making its arrival! It has been a cold and rainy June but it seems the weather is about to turn and I'm ready for my early morning road biking adventures. I feel it will do me good.

-i have been making good food and eating well. Must dedicate a full post for some delicious seasonal meals once i have more pics. I made this overnight fermented sourdough chocolate cake last weekend and it has brought me joy. I have eaten it plain and with yoghurt and fresh strawberries

Life lately has involved feeling meh at work but experiencing happy times outside of work.

-Our adventurous boys are always eager for outdoor time this time of year as it is warmer and sunnier

-The wife and I are also eager for outdoor time after the darkest seasons of the year both literally and metaphorically

-She had enjoyed putting our garden together whilst i have supervised her and the cats and feeling very grateful and lucky

-I have also enjoyed solo outdoor time - I got to begin the road cycling season last Saturday and have enjoyed some running again. We have also gone to nearby outdoor gyms a couple times a week and it has felt good to start getting stronger again

-I went through a bit of a rough patch the past few months mentally but am getting better albeit frustratingly slowly