A hard work called surfing

I've written before about the adrenaline rush in surfing, the beauty of the Erretegia beach and showed surf photos of Clara and of my friends... so this time I wanted to put the emphasis on how bloody difficult and tiring it is....  The friends who tried it once last year came back this year, for a full week of training! Told you, it is addictive!!!!! And hard work.

You thought it was easy getting that darn surf out to the right spot?

They look cool, right? But they are just panting for air and pretending to be waiting for the right wave....

After two hours in the water, when you can hardly walk, then is the time to walk back AND carry the surf...

Maybe that is why surf teachers look so hot being five months pregnant????

It is nearly over. The wet suits are off. Time for picnic.

Repeat: Bayonne festival with the children

Yes, we did a quick stop at the Bayonne festival this year too! I love it! (Daytime version, too old for spending the night there...)

Bright colors, sun, music.... !! This was Thursday, the day dedicated to the children with lots of activities for them (but we came in pretty late and experience since last year told us to stay away from the queues). Next year we'll be there earlier!

A welcome breeze

Even the statues get their red scarf on!

The king of the Festival

Bubbles everywhere!

Strange instrument...

Very very yummy Pariés bakery... I love the decoration of the metal boxes

One of the activites: getting your hair done

The team!

Afternoon in Fuentarrabie

One classic excursion is to take the small boat from Hendaye over to Spanish Fuentarrabie. The Marina area is known for its tapas bars and the old centre is dominated by the magnificent Parador hotel.... so that is exactly what I did last week with some friends. Many detail pictures to give you a feeling for this adorable place!

Rowing festival

You know you're in Spain when you see the laundry hanging outside to dry...

The Parador. Quite a hotel!

View from the Parador

Blidö.....

I spent a lot of time in the Stockholm archipelargo when I was a child. My parents had a boat and summer vacation meant one month on the boat, sailing from one island to another... Swimming naked, fishing and playing close to the water. So many memories!

This time we spent one week on Blidö north of Stockholm and one of the bigger islands with about 130 houses and a regular ferry service. My sister was there, my cousin and his children... they spent not hours but days trying to catch small fish with their landing nets.... bliss.

The regular car ferry to Blidö (free of charge)

View from the ferry

Lush! Summer is short but intensive!

Saltkråkan

Happiness is to catch a small mouse and hold it a minute..

Tjälknöl made of reindeer.... you cook the frozen meat in 100 degrees for 6-10 hours.. then marinate for another 4-6 hours....

One of the many boats that goes from one island to another....

Catching small fish, the main activity

And catching not only fish but....

... seaweed!

My favorite part, further out on the south point of Blidö

Rough beauty. I learned to crawl on rocks like these... so I walked on all four like a bear...

Cinnamon buns! Freshly made by Christina, our hostess for a day

A bar/restaurant by the sea... boats stop by to have a beer or food....