As I mentioned yesterday, the first swim of the summer is considered shedding the winter coat, and today was that day. For Smallsteps and myself at least. My wife didn't venture more than a toe in, so that doesn't count. Granted, it doesn't feel like the ice that covered the lake a couple months ago, is long forgotten. The temperature was still "quite cold" and even the nerveless body of Smallsteps couldn't stay in for too long at a time.
But in she fearlessly went.
And while we call it a beach, it isn't exactly Baywatch out there, however it was very busy considering, and there were lots of people coming in from the surrounding apartments to enjoy a proper summery day. Tomorrow, the weather will change and the temperature will almost half. I guess that is summer done and dusted.
I hope not.
I am looking forward to a warm summer of not much to do, other than chillout and live some basic life in the garden. But I have very little expectation that it will actually play out that way. I have the same hope every year, but it never quite goes to plan. I suspect that this summer is going to be spent trying to secure more work.
I wish I could pull a hat over my eyes.
Unfortunately, I have to keep my eyes open. Just in case.
And after the beach we went and had a look at a summer food place that they have at an old factory nearby. Unfortunately, the various food trucks were shutting up for the evening, as they had been so busy, they had sold out of nearly everything. We were still able to get some sweet potato and some normal fries though, which meant we didn't starve.
It reminded me a little of one of my few good childhood memories, where occasionally as a family we would go the beach and have fish and chips out of the butcher's paper on the sand in the evening. We even went for an ice cream after.
Just like old times.
I hope Smallsteps has a lot more good memories from her childhood.
The factory area is pretty cool. An old paper mill that is being slowly converted into residential area, as well as business spaces. At the moment, it is pretty basic with odd things here and there, but in the coming decade, it will change a lot. I have been photographing it since maybe 2014 or so, when there was still a tiny bit of production there, but most was abandoned. It is a pretty cool facility.
It is a well-established graffiti area also, and while it used to be illegal (and probably still is most of the time), they have painting events on occasion. They also set u some containers with boarded sides for artists to paint on without doing any damage, and while most of the murals were pretty crappy, There must have been a couple good artists involved also. And considering it is a disused paper factory, the splash of bright colour against the redbrick background, and concrete desolation, is welcome.
My wife still has a week and a half of work left before she is able to take her holidays, so Smallsteps and I will be kicking around together, seeing what mischief we can get up to. As the weather is turning from glorious warm sun into cool rains, we might have to find some inside activities - like a museum to keep us entertained.
We always find something to make life a little interesting.
Taraz
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Summer in Canada officially begins in July and ends in September. Depending on whether you're heading south or north, temperatures vary between 20°C and 35°C. The seasons are very distinct and there are different activities depending on the calendar. In July, we are used to camping outside. In two years, Matthew will go to camp for the whole summer.
Is this normal for kids there? They don't do summer camps here, but I remember seeing them in American movies.
Canada is a popular destination for summer camps because of its beautiful natural scenery, multicultural culture and opportunities to learn or improve your English or French. Camps offer a variety of activities, from sports and outdoor adventures to academic and artistic programmes.
Fifteen years ago I stayed in one for 3 months (residential) in order to pass one of the requirements for permanence, to master the language, its customs and its ephemeris.
Reading your post made me smile thinking about the different temperatures we can consider and "feel" summer.
I've been home for the past two weeks with the most humid days reaching above 25°.
Next weekend I plan to drive back to Portugal where forecast temps will reach 40°, 😅
I don't know how long I could bear 40+ these days. As a kid, it was all pretty much the same, but it is different now.
We helped my inlaws open their pool the other weekend, but it is still a bit too cold to go swimming yet. I have a feeling before long the warmer weather will come along to stay and then the pool will be nice!
I prefer swimming in pools rather than lakes, but the lake is nice for a dip, and to be surrounded by nature. Even though this is technically "in the city" and is a suburb, it is pretty much just all trees as far as you can see.
I'm probably the same except for the great lakes. They are so big that it doesn't bother me so much. They can be dangerous though. Most of the inland lakes here you have to worry about swimmers itch.
Have a Nice Summer Time. Very good pictures. I live in a beach town in Spain and the summer tourists are starting to arrive.
Are you spraying them with water pistols and complaining about them? :D
I just see them. Do not leave a small free space. Let the sea wet them.
It's good to have a rest with the whole family. I also remembered my childhood on the beach by the Pripyat River. I built a sand fortress by the water, and the passing barges and hovercrafts made waves, and the waves rolled onto my fortress. It was a good childhood.
Things might have changed around there these days?
Yes, they stopped producing Soviet hovercraft.
Hovercraft used to be all the rage. Don't hear much of them these days.
Very high fuel consumption. Now everything has become expensive, everything has become efficient.
There’s something special about sharing those moments with our families. It's nice that you’re creating similar memories for Smallsteps, they might look a bit different though.
I wonder if I would remember my childhood differently if my parents had written about them and there were more photos. What do you think?
I think you would have only remembered the missing parts, the rest would have been the same as they are the best times of our life, we don't forget them ;)
I really enjoyed this glimpse into your day. That “first swim to shed the winter coat” idea is both funny and symbolic brave of Smallsteps to go in, The old factory spot sounds full of character, and I loved the nostalgic touch about fish and chips on the beach. I hope summer brings more quiet, meaningful moments like this for you and your family.
A heartfelt and touching read. It’s never easy to say goodbye sending you strength and comfort.
Goodbye to what?
The arrival of summer is always a beautiful moment. What I do believe is that summer in the Northern Hemisphere actually begins now, from June to July. We are still in spring, so I think temperatures in the coming days will gradually rise.
In any case, enjoying the weather and open spaces with our children is always a beautiful gift—for them and for us. It will be a memory they will always carry in their hearts.
Reading this post felt like a short walk down summer memory lane that first dip in the water always carries a special feeling.
Absolutely as long as the eyes are open and the spirit is curious, there’s always something that adds meaning to our memories.
Oh gosh your photos are fabulous! They capture her so beautifully. I hope you DO get some time to enjoy the summer. Sometimes its a choice we make - to be mindful of the opportunity to be in the present moment with those we love.
Wow. That picture. At first, I thought it was a compilation of pictures. Graffiti really can be an art. We have many around here, murals mostly. Unfortunately, the unwritten rule of not tagging on top of murals seems to be not valid anymore. The ugliness is taking that over, too.
Dear @tarazkp !
It is bad for your health to suddenly go into cold water on a hot day!
So, I thought your wife's actions were wise!
I guess she is being smart and thorough in managing her health!
I remember the pictures of you swimming in the lakes in Finland last summer. The lakes in Finland were not very beautiful in the pictures!
You are quite wrong. Unless you are 95 years of age, and super unhealthy.
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STOPThat is a pretty cool looking graffiti, I am more used to the ugly black writing graffiti that we see around here...
Same here. Every year I tell myself I'm gonna have a chill summer just relaxing in the backyard, but then bills pile up and I'm scrambling for gigs again. The hustle never stops 😅
Oh you really had such a lovely evening. There's something so special about beach food even just fries taste better with that sea breeze. Those childhood fish and chips memories are the best ones to hold onto.