What I did on my holidays

I’m still getting used to the idea of the long Nordic summer break. The idea of a four-and-a-half week break would have made my head spin not so long ago.

So what does this amount of time give me time to do?

• A trip to Ireland, where I caught up on my James Joyce, saw family, and ended up in a karaoke bar off O'Connell steet..

• Speaking of Joyce, I didn’t finish Ulysses, but am getting closer. I just reached what is apparently the most difficult chapter…

• A few days showing friends around Helsinki, followed by a few days eating my body weight in barbeque with family.

31c is not normal

• Returning to Finland for a record setting heatwave, therefore spending the best part of two weeks alternating between our balcony, where we have given names and characters to all the neighbourhood dogs, and the local beach.

• Spent time editing a podcast, though not anywhere near as much as planned due to the aforementioned heatwave, and learning how to do video editing with my DSLR and new set of microphones..

• Completed Blue Prince, which is as close to an insane escape room as a video game can be.

Very importantly, I saw an ex-colleague for the first time in a few years, who commented that I seemed so much more relaxed and healthy than I was when they last saw me. 

Obviously the Nordic lifestyle suits me. It’s incredible the difference when you can take time to unwind, so then the actual holiday can begin.