Scenery – Blue Moment

Day 19: Petting Zoo with a View

February 21, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Alanna, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, TravellingTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

Alanna loves everything that is alive. Dogs, cats, cows and raindeers are obviously cuddly, but she also thinks that snakes are cute and spends evenings thinking how she could catch and release a mosquito without killing it.

Fantasy animals are even better. She started with unicorns and magical cats, but currently we are in a lenghty werewolf phase. Her howl is becoming pretty realistic.

Imhoff Farm with its petting zoo is Alanna’s happy place. Kiara agrees, as she thrives with the active interaction with the animals – and on all the playgrouds and climbing trees.

For parents, agood view, good food and a glass of wine are all that’s needed.

On the way back we also stopped in Hout Bay for ice cream.

Day 17: Heat and Wine

February 18, 2026February 18, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Family, Nature, Outdoors, TravellingTagged 365 Project, Children, family, Outdoors, Scenery, South Africa, Travel2 Comments

It was hot today… 35C at highest. I am not sure if I have just forgotten what it normally feels like, or if I have lost my heat survival mode after living four years in Finland.

We battled the heat with excessive time in the pool and relaxed walk in the (shady) forest. In the evening, when it started to cool down slightly, we headed out to a nearby winery with a quirky restaurant. Cold white wine and a frozed daiquiri improve any night.

Day 15: Wild Ocean

February 15, 2026February 15, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Alanna, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, Travelling, WaterTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

Hermanus was windy today and the waves were majestic – and loud! It is almost hypnotic to watch them crash againsg the shore and seabirds fighting the wind (or hiding from it).

The waves carry shells, pieces of coral and other interesting bits and pieces onto the shore. We had to limit both girls to four treasures per beach to ensure our clothes will still fit into the suitcases for the journey home.

A good day to get out of the hospital.

Day 12: South African sunset

February 13, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Outdoors, TravellingTagged 365 Project, Scenery, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

I love Cape Dutch houses. Together with the yellow and red African sunset, they are almost too picture perfect.

And if it feels too cliché, it helps to remember that the view follows another well-known South African phenomenon: the parking lot is just out of the shot

Day 3: Winter Wonderland

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Espoo, Finland, Nature, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Espoo, Finland, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, WinterLeave a comment

The first time Stuart visited Finland was for Christmas 2010. It was an exceptional December. Over one metre of snow blanketed Helsinki, and the city was running out of places to plough it. Parking lots and walkways disappeared under snow mountains in an attempt to keep the streets clear. The temperature dropped below –27°C the day before Christmas Eve in Asikkala, where we were spending the holidays.

Everyone kept saying how rare that winter was, but I don’t think Stuart truly understood it until we moved here. The past four winters have shown how much muddier a typical coastal winter is. Because of the sea, day temperatures rise above 0°C on more than half (sometimes two-thirds) of days in January and February. Snow melts, turns slushy and heavy, mixes with sand and dirt, and becomes cold mud. Not exactly postcard-perfect winter scenery – at least not before the next snowfall briefly covers it all again.

Therefore, even with numb fingers, a frozen-solid car, and limited time outdoors, I love these crisp, sunny, beautiful winter days. You can see the cold in the air and the way light reflects.

–10°C would be perfectly fine, though. –20°C is pushing it.