Last minute November update

As cold and rainy winter uproaches Denmark, life still goes on in our household. It's been a busy month for us.

Busy in a nice way, as we hosted Katya's parents since the beginning of November. Vera and Nikolay haven't been over to Denmark in winter for a while, because they're usually coming for a visit in summer. Rain and cold weather didn't keep them at home though. While we were at work they cleaned our garden and prepared it for the winter (one of these things we had a bad consience about for a long time), as well as cutting a whole load of bushes in the back where we plan a fruit garden next year.

In the peak of a flu season we decided to keep Elizabeth at home, so her grandparents had a great time with her.

Here's Elizabeth enjoying weekly baby swimming sessions.

Elizabeth is turning into a real helper in the kitchen- she'd better! as most of cleaning is to be done after HER meals.



Big interest in computer gadgets- so early! Must be genes... "It's paradise in Daddy's office, wires everywhere. Much more interesting than my box of toys"

Radiobiology, tapas, opera, history- and so much more in Toledo

I've just returned from the course on Radiobiology (which is basic knowledge about radiotherapy for cancer that I work with) in Toledo, Spain. It was a great week with very long days and intensive teaching from 9 am to 6 pm, but a 2-hours long lunch break in the middle really helped.
After the course I had enough time to do the sightseeing with loads of walking, because this is the best way to see the town. It was getting dark at about 8 pm, and Spanish don't serve warm food at the restaurants before around 10 pm- giving you plenty of time to visit churches, sinagogues, monasteries and other museums, go into the shops (that are open till 9-10 pm) or just sit down and look at the sunset...



Toledo is a capital of the Spanish province Castilla-La Mancha. Historically it's been influenced by 3 different cultures- Christian, Muslim and Jewish. This is where the art of sword and knife making comes from. The historical center of the town is situated on the hill with river surrounding it from 3 sides. There are gates and bridges remaining from the old times when it was the only way to enter the town.
After the course my collegues and I had an opportunity to visit the local theater and hear the opera "Rigoletto"- masterpiece of Verdi (sung in Italian with Spanish subtitles :)
From the course organisers we had a social dinner one night, where we experienced the best of Spanish cuisine with 5-course menu (just starters consisted of 4 different dishes!) and some music and dancing afterwards.
If you really get a chance to go to Spain, Toledo is one of the must-see places. It's only 30 min drive from Madrid.
Now I'm back in cold and rainy DK, but very happy to be back home. The whole week without David and Elizabeth was hard after all. But I promised them to go visit Toledo next fall all together.

On the way to Toledo, Spain

I'll be spending next week in Spain attending a course on Radiobiology in Toledo. Looks like very nice historical place. It's a small town not far from Madrid. The programme is quite heavy from 9 am till 6 pm, but we have one afternoon off. The weather forecast for Spain is sunny and +20!!!



On the home front things are going well. About a month ago Elizabeth started walking. From one insecure step, she's now basically running everywhere- door steps or carpets no problem. If she looses her balance once in a while, she gently lands on her bum or hands. We've been lucky to avoid any major injuries, so far...

Swimming and DIY

I love swimming, really I do but I prefer not to see the world through rose coloured glasses, at least in the pool!

Then there's the DIY project. Funny how men come up with a project, then wives involve themselves in the sport of complexifying, should there be found such an expression, the job into something of a larger challenge. Anyhow, one room grew to 3 rooms, and thence new timber flooring was laid. No point in me being bored on paternity leave.

And here's the before and after results...

Weekend on Zealand

Last weekend and Monday and Tuesday of this week we were on a grand tour of Zealand. Started by visiting David's work collegue Morten and his wife Stefanie and their two dogs in Kirke Sonnerup- south of Zealand. Elizabeth couldn't get off the door from watching the dogs playing in the garden. I'd say the interest was very mutual- the two dogs (black labradors) were very interested in Elizabeth, sniffing and licking her :)
Then we visited my sister Dasha and the family in Søborg- great to see you guys as always.
After that we went more north to Jens and Kath's (Katya's Danish family) residence in Gribskov. Walks in the forest, picking up mushrooms and great company for dinner, the hit of the day was their dog Trold, white labrador. Elizabeth couldn't get enough of it! Now we're seriously considering getting a puppy. There's just one thing with it- what about all the travelling we do? We'll have to do more thinking about it.





Otherwise, biggest news of this week was Elizabeth starting at private day care. It's a nanny called Susanne, who lives close to us. She aslo has 3 other girls, about 2 years old. They were all interested in this new "baby-girl" coming :)
Elizabeth spent 3 hours at her place every day from Wednesday. It went very well. She noticed David disappearing on the first day and was a bit quiet for about half an hour. Other days she hasn't even noticed it. Next week she'll go there for the whole day.
Time really flies. Next thing she'll be starting in pre-school!!! I know it's a long time untill then, or is it really?

Berlin with EDI- Soft Denmark

It's not a secret that David loves his job. Not just for it being challenging and interesting but also for the great bunch of "EDI-softers" they are. The company definitely puts value on employee's families- something we really felt on this annual "employees- with- spouse" trip. This year it was to Berlin. We had to take Elizabeth with us, and it was just fantastic to have her around. She enjoyed it too.
Berlin is a great place. Because we've been there before, it was a very relaxing trip this time, taking a boat trip on the Spree river, lying on the grass in the park, shopping in KaDeWe (the largest shopping centre in Europe), and of course having a great time with other EDI-softers.

Norn Iron - as good as ever :)

Hi all, Dave here - We recently spent 9 days in Northern Ireland, split between the Lindsays and the Farrs, where we were treated with no less than the best of Ulster hospitality. I could say Irish, but then I'd be on shakey ground and would be accused of all sorts of other things like making SDLP jokes at the home of the host who, unbeknown to person A worked for the SDLP, whose Grandfather and Father also worked for the party... but the dinner was fantastic :)

I was honoured in being promoted to Godfather to Sorcha Lindsay on 1st August. They expect nothing less than a wee box filled with money on every birthday from now on. I hope Rubles are ok. Sorcha is a sweet little lady and I look forward to the honour of being involved in her life in the future. It was great to be at the "wetting of the head" celebration afterwards down in Katy Daly's - an old haunt from a past life - sort of de-ja-vu the whole evening, but most pleasant.

We spent a few days with my folks in Comber. I had this idea of making South African Boerewors (traditional spicy farmer sausage) so I delivered a mix of spices to the local butcher along with the recipe and he did a really good job on it, I was impressed. The butcher is The Finest Cut - 6 Bridge Street, Comber... go there and ask for a bag of Dave Farr's South African sausages as he made 9kgs of the stuff!)

Liza had fun on grandad's new piano... (Can't a girl get a cup of coffee here, I mean Chopin's Prelude in C# is killing my wee fingers!??)

Ah, I'll pack up the PC now while I'm ahead. Katya goes back to work tomorrow after a few weeks vacation and I begin 7 weeks of paternity leave.

Life is great!

:)

Back in DIY gear

Yeah! It's great to have holidays, forget about work and enjoy these nice summer days. Especially when it's an extended holidays for David, as he has 2 months on paternity leave from August to the end of September.
Now's the time to finish some jobs around the outside of the house, like putting up fence. It needs to be painted first.

One pole in- 11 other to go.

The fence will be all around the front yeard, hopefully in couple of days
...
Here's Daddy's little helper

Look, Liza, this is how you hold the hammer



Oh, Daddy, I think it's too heavy for me!


I can also help you watering the garden
You have no idea, parents, what deal you've got here- I can do anything!!!

It's fun walking

Liza has recently discovered a pushcart. The trolley of sorts on the weels to push, which also has a space to put her toys in and close the lid- fancy! She's really enjoying the upright movement and has got a good control of the thing. There's one minor problem- it only goes forward!!! Luckily we have a big grass lawn in the back garden with not so many obsticles, except for trees... Where she can't get on her two, she can on her four. Just like this.

 

Lindsays trio visiting

Aye, we had a visit from the Lindsays, who showed us how to do a Belfast fry - proper... actually, I did the frys and Dave did the pro dinners - presentation is everything, was the word of the day. Their little girl, Sorcha is really sweet, and I'd forgotten how small a newborn is. It was great to have them over and we look forward to raiding their fridge and enjoying their wine collection.

Yes, I've been hired as the Godfather to guide and direct where necessary, which I find a great honour and I'll try to live up to it as best I can.

I guess that's it for this insertion... 'till next time... that's all folks

Elizabeth's 1st birthday

 

Last Sunday we celebrated Elizabeth's birthday. 1 year old! As much as we want to believe it- we can't- that our baby has turned into a little girl- so sweet and adorable. We can't believe how quick the past year has gone. Seems just yesterday we were rushing into the hospital on early Saturday morning and coming back couple of days later with a tiny bundle of joy Elizabeth, when all she did was sleeping most of the time.
Now we have a curious little girl, moving around the house at the top gear, chatting away in her baby- language (which we agree sounds mostly like Russian) and bringing her parents so much joy every day!
We had Katya's parents and sisters with their families over for tea and cake party. Dave, Lynda and baby Sorcha from Northern Ireland were visiting us, which we enjoyed greatly, especially Elizabeth who learned to blow raspberries at Dave every time she saw him. Thanks everyone for your presents and fun afternoon!
Here's more pictures from Elizabeth's birthday party.

"I like to ride my bicycle"

Last weekend we took an advantage of nice weather and our new (actually old- given away by the neighbour) bicycle carriage for Elizabeth. She definitely enjoyed the ride, feeding the swans and a snooze on the way home.

A surprise trip for Katya to.... Faroe Islands!

 

This year it was my turn to plan an anniversary trip away for us, + our extra baggage in the form if Lisa chewing on everything within bite distance. 

I think it's original name taken from norwegian is "Sheep Island", and this figures since there appear to be many more sheep than population. Great place for a barbeque.

The islands are located at 62º 01' N, 6º 47' W, above Ireland (and halfway to Iceland from Ireland) and are made up of 18 isles (although there are some extra ones not large enough to be named). The landscape is quite dramatic, with all towns being coastal, given the relief of the land ie:-typically a 30 - 45 degree angle from sea level to mountain tops, which are all bright green and covered in grass.


The islands are mostly accessible by road, otherwise it's boat or helicopter, probably the only place there a chopper tour is slightly more expensive than a bus ticket. There are many tunnels joining islands, or travelling through the mountains, some wide enough for one vehicle only, whilst the oncoming vehicle awaits in a lay-by cut into the rock. I'd say they used a whole lot of TNT here.  

We stayed in the Hotel Føroyar, and I was greatly impressed with the view over Torshavn. As for the hotel itself, I think they are using the view to sell everything about the place, but dirty carpets, old smokey smell in a musty bedroom without extraction and sour Apple juice served for breakfast was not what I was expecting from a 4 star establishment and means we'll not be back there... it'll be camping for us in future, and this seems to be quite popular, since the Faroes are not the cheapest place to visit, on a par with Verbier, Switzerland methinks. There are many places to pitch tent, and if you can't find an official camping spot, the locals are ok with a tourist or two in their field for the night, or so i've convinced myself.

Elizabeth had a great time, and it was a bonus having a car, which for her is a big magical sleep machine. She's started to walk about with help to balance provided by a stooped down parent and seems to be enjoying her new found height. 

But for now... it's back to work for us both... and I'm staring into a computer screen again for 8 hours a day, whilst Katya is actually helping people.

There you have it in a nutshell.

The Faroes - go there, it's great!  

Here's a nice filmclip of the place....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69huWkZs034