The summer breeze has arrived in Ulricehamn. We have 20 degrees Celsius, a blue sky and everyone seems to be out walking or enjoying the cafés and the benches along the lake. The sun does not set until nine in the evening and it is difficult to convince the kids to go to bed when the sun is still up. They spend every afternoon outside and come in hungry and dirty in the evening. In six weeks time the school holiday starts and the kids are widely debating if they should choose to go to the golf, tennis or football school this summer. They will have ten weeks off but there will be other activities arranged by the school for them. On Thursday Jochems parents will come for a two-week visit and as the house is still a mess I will have a very productive 1st of May. The 1st of May is a holiday and if the weather is nice I hope we can have a great day out and get some cleaning done as well :)!
Ingrid is enjoying playing tennis and went on a two-day tennis camp last week. She had told us that she did not want to stay over but when Jochem came to pick her up she had changed her mind – they had too much fun! Ingrid used to play tennis in Nijmegen (the Netherlands) before our move but this is tennis in a very different league. We have never seen kids play such good tennis as they do here and the teacher is really good. It is not easy to be new and to play with a group of kids who are so much better but Ingrid notices herself that she is quickly improving and she really likes the kids in the group. They start and end each training by jumping 300 times and when one kid is practising with the trainer the others have to exercise. Actually I think people in Ulricehamn must be a lot fitter then average people. Many of my colleagues run marathons, bicycle a lot or spend every free minute outside doing outdoor sports. Well, so far the kids have improved their fitness but their parents still have a long way to go!!
We have had some busy months but I think the coming months will give us the opportunity to enjoy our new home and our new town a bit more. Jochem is probably the one who has had the least chance to enjoy Sweden as he only spends 3 - 4 days a week here and lately they have been filled with practical activities (such as arranging the Internet, going to the dump, buying things for the builders etc). Last weekend we got the Internet going at home, installed all computers and bought new bicycles so now we are ready to get active. Someone asked me if I did not miss the city beat but currently I am only looking forward to some peace and quiet. I think it will be great when we do not have to work on the house anymore but can spend the weekends exploring the surroundings or doing absolutely nothing. And, if I want to go to a bigger city Borås is only half an hour away.
Lots of sunshine from Ulricehamn!
Ulrika
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