Last year when we got married, our Scandinavian holiday looked different to normal. We did of course spend time with my parents and saw some friends, but it was very much fitted in around all the wedding prep and post-wedding tasks. And the week leading up to our big day we showed my husband’s family around Copenhagen which was so fun!

This year it was back to normal programming, but because we went to the Olympics in Paris at the beginning of August when we normally go home to visit, we decided to come at the beginning of July instead.

And as this coincided with our first wedding anniversary, we decided to go back to Mossbylund where we stayed with the British contingent during our wedding weekend. It was lovely to be back and fit in some treatments and relax into our Swedish holiday.

Hotell Mossbylund is a gorgeous place, and although the weather wasn’t that summer-y, it didn’t rain so we could fully enjoy the outdoor spa and pools. I even braved the cold plunge this time and had a lovely facial while the husband enjoyed a massage.

The rest of the time we spent with my parents and we had a full day with our besties from early morning when the boys teed off until we said goodbye in Malmö after a lovely dinner together at Mutantur, Emma’s and my favourite Malmö restaurant. It was the first time the husbands were invited to join and they really enjoyed it too!

The last five days I was there on my own as my husband went back to London, and I had a really fun dinner with some of the girls at Ruth’s in Malmö and saw some extended family too which was so lovely.

I felt a bit sad I didn’t get to swim in the sea, but the weather just wasn’t great. I managed a little bit of sunbathing my last two days but the sea was dirty with seaweed and cold unfortunately. Luckily we went to Norfolk shortly after Sweden and it was warm enough to swim in the North Sea!

Other than that we tidied a bit in the summer house, hung a few paintings and enjoyed good food at home and some ice cream out. Not enough ice creams though, must do better next year!

As always it was wonderful to be home. Swedish summer (even when the weather is shaky) is just the best, and I always love seeing family and friends. And I’m trying (very hard) to focus on the things I get to do and the people I get to see, instead of the things I don’t have time for, or the people I don’t manage to meet up with. I think that’s a better mindset than feeling guilty for not being able to meet up with everybody you would like to see. It’s definitely the biggest struggle living abroad. I hope my friends know that I love them even when I don’t get to see them.