A Summer of People, Places and Rain

This summer turned out to be a summer of many things.

But when I look back at it, the highlights were definitely my children coming to visit. Somehow, having the people you love around changes everything. The places become more beautiful, the adventures more memorable, and even the simplest moments become something worth remembering.

We made a couple of trips to Norway and Sweden, and once again I was reminded of how much I love the Norwegian landscape. There are endless walks to discover, and everywhere you turn there seems to be another spectacular view. Mountains, fjords, rocky paths, forests and those vast northern landscapes that make you feel very small — but in a good way.

The only problem was the weather.

It was an exceptionally bad summer. Cold, wet and rainy, with seemingly endless grey skies. Norway still looked magnificent, of course. The scenery doesn't really care whether the weather is good or bad. But walking in the rain while wondering whether you will ever feel your toes again does put a slightly different spin on the experience!

One of the highlights was taking my daughter to Senja, where she was heading for an amazing job. It was a special experience to be able to take her there and see a little of the place where she would be spending her time. I also got to meet some friends in Tromsø, which made the trip even more enjoyable.

Then there was some time at Kumpeli Spa, where I was able to work while my son and his friend were staying there too. It was one of those strange combinations of holiday, family time and work — which is actually how much of my life seems to work these days.

And somewhere in between all the travelling, people, rain and adventures, I managed to paint.

Perhaps that is the one advantage of a truly miserable summer: you get more work done.

When the weather is cold and wet and the great outdoors is telling you to stay inside, there isn't quite as much temptation to disappear into the wilderness. Instead, you can retreat to the studio and paint.

So this summer gave me a little bit of everything — family, friends, travelling, Norway, Sweden, beautiful landscapes, miserable weather, and of course, painting.

But perhaps the biggest thing it reminded me of is something very simple:

People matter.

The landscapes may be spectacular, but it is the people you experience them with who give the memories their meaning. A beautiful view is wonderful. Sharing it with someone you love makes it unforgettable.