Now that summer is well underway, we should think about taking advantage of it. Whether you’re on vacation or not, there are thousands of things to do to make the most of the two months of good weather (fingers crossed) that are coming.
Summer is the time for outdoor activities and picnics with friends, but also for idleness and ice cream. I don’t know exactly why, but for me this season is really the one during which I experience the most magical moments and create the most lasting memories. You too ?
Maybe because it’s the season when we most tend to go on vacation, and sometimes even abroad? Last year I went to western Canada for 15 days, the previous one I unfortunately didn’t have a vacation with my internship, but I still took advantage of the weekends to move around a lot, which means that I also had a great summer.
Finally, we are much less likely to stay at home in summer. We go out more enjoying the long days, we are also more motivated by the idea of ​​traveling to see our loved ones, and god knows that it is when they are shared that the memories are the most beautiful.
In honor of this wonderful season, I wanted to share with you the top 10 things to do this summer . Finally, when I say “THE” top 10, I’m actually talking about the things I want to do to make this summer just as unforgettable as the last ones.
Pick blueberries
I have already picked blackberries several times because in my region in Auvergne there are a lot of them (besides we have our favorite corner where we go all the time). On the other hand, I’ve never picked blueberries and I really want to, especially since it’s a fruit that I particularly like. Besides, if you know of good spots in Rhône-Alpes, don’t hesitate to let me know (I promise I won’t steal everything from you).
Go swimming more often
I’m not a competitive swimmer, far from it, but I love going to the pool. Whether it’s splashing around or doing laps, it’s always a moment of happiness for me. It’s something I feel amazingly good in, and when I’m swimming I don’t think about anything (and that, believe me, doesn’t happen often). It’s probably one of the only sports that allows me to really clear my head, so why not? And if in addition I can go to the outdoor swimming pool in the small town where my parents live, it would be even better because it won’t be too crowded and I can take advantage of it to sunbathe (might as well combine business with pleasure, Nope ?).
Look at the stars in a place far from everything
This is about carrying on the tradition rather than doing something completely new. For many years, every summer at the time of the nights of the stars (in the first half of August) I got into the habit of lying down in the grass to observe the sky and try to see the shooting stars. I must have been 10 the first year I did this: I had gone to summer camp and the leaders had taken us to a remote football stadium to look at the stars. Looking back on it, it’s kind of funny that I’m still doing it after almost 15 years.
Have picnics with friends
When we go on vacation with my family, we often have picnics, and I imagine that I am not the only one! I don’t often have picnics with my friends, and I want to start this tradition this summer. Besides, it starts on Sunday: we will meet at the Parc de la Tête d’Or with some friends and chat around good little preparations!
Test new artistic activities
If you have read my article on my intentions for 2018, you know that exploring new artistic fields is one of my desires this year. I want to take advantage of the summer period to really immerse myself in this spirit. I don’t know what form this will take yet, but it’s on my list.
Admire a sunrise and a sunset
It may seem really silly, but I want to take the time to see a nice sunrise and also a sunset. During the music festival, we witnessed a marvelous sunset, with the sky ablaze above Fourvière, it was truly magnificent. Living in the city, you don’t always have the opportunity to admire sunrises or sunsets (that’s my case anyway), so taking the time to do it is a little extra effort that I would like TO DO !
Diversify my photography
My specialty in photography is of course food photography. Recently, I have become more interested in photography in general, especially portraits. I signed up for Jessica Whitaker’s Facebook group, which focuses more specifically on portraits. I see the posts of the photographers of this group all the time in my newsfeed and it inspired me enormously. I feel a real need to get started too and photograph living things, to change :p
Make homemade lemonade
It’s probably the perfect shot, but I really don’t care. As for smoothies, I’m perfectly in control! But I’ve never made lemonade at home and I miss it in my life (sad life!). So it’s decided, this summer I’ll make real homemade lemonade at least once. Do you have any recipes?
Climb to the Puy de Dôme
Having lived for many years in Auvergne, I have already been to the top of the Puy de Dôme many times. This remains one of my favorite hikes, and I would like to do it again this summer. The ascent is done by the small Chemin des Muletiers (beware of the heat because there is little shade), but once at the top the view is truly breathtaking! I will also take the opportunity to do other hikes in the region which has a lot to offer and which has also been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site this week 🙂
Send postcards
Two or three years ago, I was quite active on the Postcrossing site (which I told you about in this article). You send a postcard to a stranger (in any part of the world) and receive one from another person in exchange. I who am a real child as soon as I receive mail, this concept seduced me enormously. So this summer, I would like to get back to it. There’s something really special about sitting down and writing postcards with a pen, now that the majority of us use our keyboards almost exclusively to communicate.
