Prep for the year in Australia

Well, it's been quite some time since we've written anything in this blog. A lot has happened since the last entry.

The very short story:- Daniel arrived into this world, David broke his neck snowboarding and got himself screwed together again, Katya received the opportunity to write her post doc in Sydney and began preparation for that, David got himself a bit of Melanoma Cancer and went through 4 operations but we fought through it as a family, Jacob arrived into this world.

Now we are soon off to Oz.

The last month has been a bit of a waste of time, with an unnecessary wait for Katya's registration approval, and it was a task to remain upbeat and focused in the absence of any departure date.

Now that the visas are here, we move forward. it has been quite a task keeping the kiddies occupied, entertained and busy as we packed for this trip. Of course, only one of us could pack at any one time, as the other was on child-watch, so we have been kept quite busy. Jacob does not sleep through, so our sleep has been disrupted many times most nights so we've been quite tired.

We have been very lucky to have our friends, Lars and Aon from a few houses up the road rent our home whilst they build theirs. A win-win for both parties.

Visas arrived on 8th August and tickets were booked on 9th through Flight Centre, a most highly recommended group of competent people. We now have an address (185/105 Bridge Road, Westmead, 2145, New South Wales, AU) and our departure is Sunday at 18:30. Billund - Amsterdam - Abu Dhabi - Sydney. 27 hours total travel time. Arrival in Sydney at 06:00 on Tuesday 15th.

Bags are packed, house is more or less ready to move into, garage is built, cars are stored long-term (Thank you so much Jørgen Alex. for your help!) and some friends are dropping us and our heap of luggage off at the airport. (Thank you so much Bjarne!)

What awaits? Watch this space!

Elizabeth turning 5!

Thank you for a lovely dress, granny Freda!!

Birthday party continues with family

Birthday picnic on the lake with friends Pischkes and their lovely kids

Ah! It's a guitar- my own guitar!

Being spoiled with presents

Summer in Denmark

As you can see from previous posts David and Stephen had a fantastic motorbike trip. 3200 miles driven, no major accidents (just some minor repairs :), lots of beautiful countryside scenery in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and great time with family and friends.

Here at home we've been enjoying the summer at home and at the summerhouse, waiting for a new family addition.





Liza's been off the kindergarten for a month, and loves playing in the garden, staying with granny, granddad and her cousins at the summerhouse, as well as bathing in the lake when it's too hot at home (those rare days it's been really hot).

With cousin baby Peter 7 months old

One day we all went to see The Tall Ship Races- an event held in Aarhus with over a hundred big and small ships from around Europe coming to Aarhus for a weekend.

It's couple of days left before Katya's due date. We're very much looking forward to meet our baby boy- especially Elizabeth!

Ireland to Wales

Mum and Dad on the machines

Kilhorne Parish, where I married the girl of my dreams

Coast of County Down, past the Mourne Mountains

On the ferry from Dublin to Wales

Coast of Holyhead in North Wales

Me having some fun with Steves pic :)

  Johnny, when the water subsides, would you go out for a pint of milk?

(I don't think these people like neighbours :)

The GPz 550 Cafe - Jacobs' Ladder :)

 

And... The Legend Himself - Pete (Kozak) from the GPz 550 Forum, or should I say, Dr. Pete!

What a pleasure to meet this man, who seems to have all his priorities well sorted, and is just a top bloke! He treated us to a right feed (... sorry Pete, I just could not resist the Lemon Cake)

Belfast, Northern Ireland

We took a chance and rode up right to Stormont without being stopped by the police, brilliant!

The view downhill

Move over Rossi!

Barbeque in the back garden with Uncle Godfrey and Aunt Claire

Double trouble in the garden!

... and now off to Dublin via the coastal bendy roads...

Starting out from Ulfs' place

Slowing down the traffic by playing Mr. Traffic Officer - brilliant

Great chow at a US diner

a field in Scarborough 

How I woke Steve up...

 Scarborough Town 

Getting a new tyre in Scarborough. This man is a legend and a giant so I was nice to him :)

He sprayed disc cleaner into the tyre and used a blow torch to explode it to seat the bead, but it did not work on this occassion. He has a LOAD of GPz 550 spares and promised them to forum folks for a REALLY good price, as nobody wants them.

Border of Scotland

The pic we had to take... 

Bikers came past us on this bridge and I did the "I'm not worthy thing on my knees. I think they nearly fell off laughing :)

Here's tae us

Wha's like us

Damn few,

And they're a' deid

You! Come closer and I will turn you into Beef Curry!!

Mmmmmmwaaa!!

Huntly Castle

Yobo!

Yobos!

Nae, I maent a wee viser fir me Shoei!

The cause of running rich and using loads of gas on the one bike was blocked air filters. I had not thought of this, and then came a Scottish hero to the rescue, by the name of Kenny. He said he had 2 600s and a 750 at home, and we were welcome to help ourselves to any spares we needed, he dissappeared then came cack with a can of high-flashpoint disc cleaner to spray th filters with, and this got the bike running like an ace again. Kenny, wherever you are, may the sun always shine brightly upon your fields!

(We have his address, and shall be posting him a taste og Denmark upon our return)

Loch Ness

Monument to the fallen. I very quietening place that puts ones' thoughts into perspective.

Very sad stories of wee kids, wives and family writing letters to the fallen. This made me cry. Rest in Peace.

Fort William

Ben Nevis

Loch Ness

Some road repair fun past Glasgow... all of a sudden the speedo stopped working, I wonder why?

Thanks again to the Scots for their incredible friendliness. No sooner had we stood there, when a fellow offered us his garage (not necessary, but a very kind gesture)

Repairs to a dead bike on the docks of Belfast, Northern Ireland

 The cause of the problem (Putting the tank on without routing the ignition cable correctly, which wore through a wire - silly me)