Now, this was a good start to the weekend!
The weather is glorious and it is amazing that at 20C (68F) everyone has suddenly become summer people, wearing shorts and enjoying the outside weather. We did the same, knocking off work a half hour early to get some errands out of the way, so we could spend some time outside.
And, do a workout together for the first time in seven-ish years.
I really need the support to get to the gym at the moment, but it hasn't been happening as Smallsteps is too young to be left alone at home and we don't have a sitter. However, just down the road there is a local council initiative in conjunction with a Finnish outdoor gym equipment manufacturer, and they have set up a test gym with about 10 pieces of equipment. It is great!
Sure, it is limited in some respects, but at least during the summer, I think it is going to get a lot of usage, at least from us. There is a feedback possibility and I would love it if they would put these in all the local parks, especially the ones where parents take their kids to play, because it really is beneficial to be able to have a workout with the kids playing their own games and I think it sets a great example for them for the future.
They are meaty machines and they have a robust weight adjustment scale, so it will fit for a wide range of users - though my wife struggled with some of the machines, even on the lightest weight, but she is out of practice and a tiny little bird.
I am looking forward to getting there more often, though suspect that when it is raining, my wife will turn to sugar and then, I will lose my motivation. I know that I shouldn't need her to join me, but since the stroke, my motivation has been very low and I need it. Once over the initial hill, I think I will be able to keep up the habit, but I likely need a few months of pushing first.
And talking of pushing, Smallsteps got to take her bike out for a proper spin today and she rode to the park where there was also an old running track. She was doing laps like she was on a very, very slow, velodrome, but she loved it. Today, she is far more confident on the bike now, which is great to see. She is a light kid, so having a much lighter bike has made a big difference for her.
Then, it was off to another park not too far away so that Smallsteps could play a bit more before the weekend starts for real. She is one of those kids that tends to like pretty simple things and is happy playing on equipment that she has played on many times before. Once outside, she doesn't get bored - there is always something to do.
And, since it is "summer" (at least for a few days), we decided that we would have our first outdoor ice cream on the way home - Lactose- and gluten-free of course. One day that might be able to change, but for now, it isn't very restrictive in Finland anymore, as nearly everywhere has some options.
This is one of our concerns when travelling however, because even though most cities have options too, without knowing the places well, it isn't guaranteed we will find something and unlike in Finland, we can't carry food with us. We are planning on travelling in the summer, even if it is a short trip to somewhere lame, but the food is the biggest concern - after the prices. They are expensive at the moment.
Smallsteps swimming lessons have finished for the spring now, so Adventure Fridays are back on and this was a very nice way to open the season. A few more days like this and I reckon I would be in a far better mood than I normally am :)
Back to the weekend!
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
