to seize the day ... my way!

unable to come up with something better to do - other than lurking around the house with the seemingly endless task of cleaning up or doing the laundry (yes, we have quite a stock of them!) - i decided to seize the day, and if i may add, doing it my way.

the weather looked very promising so i thought i'd venture into some leisure biking. and so i set off after a quick lunch and went to explore the day on my two wheels.

since we live very near the docks, i decided to take that route and follow it through until i reach the city harbour. it was not particularly warm, which is such a comfort, but biking was pretty much of a challenge that i could feel my beads of sweat after only a good 15 minute-ride. it made me realise how unfit i was - i need this kind of leg muscle training. easing my way through the docks, yet keeping myself on the bike lanes, i can't help but notice that summer has taken its toll on an average swede - it sure felt like every living soul is out on the streets ... i was not the only one who thought of biking on this one beautiful afternoon. there were a lot of bikers out on the streets - it's family day on wheels! moms and dads with kids on tow, who struggled on their two wheels with extra supporting wheels - are crowding the bike lanes. well, i don't mind really, i'm on a leisure-bike-day that i can wait even for how long it would take for these little angels to clear the lanes. actually, it kind of reminded me how my son also tried to learn how to bike - swerving and balancing his act on two wheels. and like most parents, we were very apologetic for causing the "trouble" on the lane when there are bikers right behind us ... today's no exception - but then again, it's just another ride.

as i cruised alongside the harbour, i could almost taste the salt seas as the wind blew its soft winds. there is this wonderful smell of sea water in the air - pungent but sweet. the sun's blinding as i wheeled into the city. as i came close to the gothenburg opera house, i could hear some music playing as well as the merry voices as it joined together in laughter - german tourists! there were a busload of them and they're having a real good time. i gave them a nod in greeting as i passed by, something which made one of them quite surprised and shouted behind my back "alles gute, fräulein!" - yeah, all is good ... the weather is fine and it truly is great to be outdoors on a day as this.

the marina is, as always, packed with yachts - big and small. the ferries were busy as usual, the cafeterias are full of locals and tourists alike enjoying their cup of coffee (or tea) under the sun. at the end of the pier behind the opera house, the bleachers on the sunny side are packed with sun-worshippers while the other side in shade were empty. not surprisingly since swedes (and tourists) tend to reveal their pales white flesh onto the sun as soon as it shows its first rays for the day. oh, yes, those taking refuge under the shed are mostly asians and south americans - i guess the ones who have had too much sun where they came from ... and that includes me!

i went on to bike inside the city - i love the bike lanes at this time of the year in the city. the alleys alongside the bike lanes are lined with trees which gives one a feeling of being inside a forest - well, if you are to ignore the cars on the other side of the street, as well as the manic nature of other pedestrians who doesn't know which is their right side of the lane - geez, i still have a problem with that. anyway, biking is good exercise and it trains not only your legs but also your eyes - concentrating and trying your best to make sure you don't run down the other pedestrians.

after a short rest under the shade of a tree in a park, i decided to go home ... this time i took the fastest way out of the city. i got home just fine and feel very much energised for the rest of the day. come to think of it, i was only away for three hours - not bad. what a way to seize the day ... my way. i kinda miss my boys on a day as this ...