Happy birthday to me!

Unlike many people, I have always loved celebrating my birthday. Not necessarily with other people or with a party and gifts. But I have always taken the day off work if I have been able, to commemorate my own special new year. My birthday is 23 July, so more or less in the middle of the year and has been time for a reset and for self-care.  I was born on my father’s birthday so I always think of him on our day. This year I turned 65. I guess I am now elderly, though my retirement age is 67.

This year we went on a long ride (about 350kms) with a stop for coffee and cake in Nynäshamn. We ate Swedish summer strawberry and custard crumble bun.

We stopped at the small harbour to look at boats coming and going

Then I scratched around in my favourite little shops, where I saw this…

…bought this…

…and ordered this (it was sold out)

Before my decluttering, I would have bought one ladybird and the bumblebee for my printer’s tray because they were cute and really cheap. But I stuck to my resolutions.

In the evening we went to a food festival on the quay nearby. I wore a turquoise silk skirt made out of an antique sari.

I bought these flip flops (slip slops in South Africa and thongs in Australia I believe) on a summer sale. They are not the colour-way I would have chosen but the pink/purple is quite striking. My previous pair (now to be recycled) are cream and gold and so beautifully subtle, but are completely worn out.