Here comes the sun!!!

This song has been going round in my head for the last few days, because after a long, cold, wet Spring the sun has finally arrived!! Yee hah!! I encourage you all to listen to the song as you read the post and feel your spirits rise. 

I remember Summers that seemed to last forever when I was child. Our 6 week holidays seemed to have no end in sight, even a 2 week holiday in the sun seemed to go on forever. Now the weeks seem to zip by and before you know it Autumn has arrived and the shorts and t-shirts are replaced by jumpers and jeans.

So how can we focus on and enjoy the Summer now that we are grown ups and get a limited time off work?

Here are a few of my suggestions that bring back childhood memories and good feelings...

Be more childlike, remember all those things you did as a kid but no longer do? 

Go roller skating, get a push along scooter, try cycling again - and this time it's not because your Mum wants to tire you out before bedtime but because you enjoy it AND you can feel yourself getting a workout at the same time!

If you're not lucky enough to have a swimming pool in your back garden find an outdoor pool. Swimming your lengths with the sun on your back gives you an instant holiday feel! 

Is there an outdoor gym near by - it's the slightly more grown up version to climbing trees, though there's nothing to stop you climbing a tree if you want too!

This was one of my favourites when I lived in London - I used to go to the coast for the day, or even just for the evening. Again and instant holiday feeling and about an hour or so travelling. And while you're there, why not have a sandcastle competition with your friends.

Here in France I am more landlocked, however there are lakes and rivers nearby with safe swimming areas.

Be a rebel and have a BBQ on a school night. Why wait for the weekend, invite a few friends round now.  Maybe have it earlier in the evening, and go easy on the drinks, but it will definitely extend the weekend feeling. 

Invest in a hammock (another holiday staple) and enjoy reading a book in garden.

Spend hours searching for a 4 leafed clover.

Make ice lollies from fresh fruit juice, a lovely way to cool down after a hot day at work.

How about following Mary Poppins' advice and go fly a kite?

Have a picnic in your local park, and don't forget to lie back and see what shapes you can see in the clouds as they drift past. 

Camp out in the back garden! (You can't complain about the state of the shower blocks!)

As the sun goes down toast marshmallows and bananas over a fire! 

It is so easy to let the Summer slip past, when it is such a fantastic opportunity to enjoy nature at it's best and when we're enjoying ourselves, our vibrations rise and we are naturally in a place of feeling good. 

Please feel free to add any suggestions in the comments section of your summer highlights and what activities make you feel childlike again.