tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143324322024-03-07T07:42:44.390+01:00Norwegian WoodA blog on Planes, trains and automobiles..... No wait, thats tractors, cars and vegetables ....... and other aspects of our new life in rural NorwayViking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.comBlogger255125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-35134578679449412562021-12-05T22:36:00.000+01:002021-12-05T22:36:08.346+01:00Christmas Message 2021<p> </p><p>After a few years absence (did anyone miss it???!!!) it's back, the Christmas Message.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;">As everyone is aware, a lot has happened in the world in the last couple of years. We as everyone else have not gone unaffected but have been fortunate to come out the other side, or at least well on the way hopefully, mostly nothing but the wiser.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The time before Covid was full of activities for the boys, dancing, music, football and then on Kai's 4th birthday, the 12th of March 2020, everything stopped. Living as we do, social distancing was not such a problem and we managed home schooling and kindergarten pretty well, all in all. We (Mari and Andy) both ended up on home office. The government increased the parental sick leave, so we were able to work 50% each and take time off to look after Kai and manage the bigger boys with their school work. The biggest shock for us came when things started up again and all the activities and daily logistical challenges hit us pretty hard!</p><p style="text-align: left;">The family has not travelled overseas since Christmas 2019 and we've not seen Andy's family since then. However, family Zoom quizzes every other week for the duration of Lockdown meant that we had much more frequent contact with everyone all the same. Not being able to travel has meant that we have seen a lot more of Norway during the summer holidays! </p></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6O9sNH73RAKDa-czadWrZjJgePSI1EnsTECwMnRu0pskt2PtbSY1okFSN1vVrxhxqg43BiShODBHyFKbIyUOb7jZyv652EkeITNIqbKScNlTefNCqr_9HVxj2z5ZpAWhNz48W4w/s2048/20210707_163412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6O9sNH73RAKDa-czadWrZjJgePSI1EnsTECwMnRu0pskt2PtbSY1okFSN1vVrxhxqg43BiShODBHyFKbIyUOb7jZyv652EkeITNIqbKScNlTefNCqr_9HVxj2z5ZpAWhNz48W4w/s320/20210707_163412.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbJkB1YNtVZCNd4EjqsCWIC6Pvt7GbAt05yaQ9tdif9Fdun62kWKgZPkaGdjKQBSKK_qvGYXbIq7bvzByc9VFsTMQg0G8TmFJ7LwtSH1FqNNoKQgpCpn4Ro2NVpD4T0jO6TfqkQ/s2048/20210707_183037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbJkB1YNtVZCNd4EjqsCWIC6Pvt7GbAt05yaQ9tdif9Fdun62kWKgZPkaGdjKQBSKK_qvGYXbIq7bvzByc9VFsTMQg0G8TmFJ7LwtSH1FqNNoKQgpCpn4Ro2NVpD4T0jO6TfqkQ/s320/20210707_183037.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mari and Liam on their way to Liams first 2000m top on Valdresflya.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE4950AEOr_t-iB2JOCIE5prthKOAR23bz8HGZehgLlM5CPd-Pfm_INmV8CtvkWikL59wD0bQ_Gz3DqPvogmqmYRTpkBCIrZpaP2DdFTgc8kIpeSWA7TUGkTyOjfMrKV5rJ3BVA/s2048/20210704_184000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE4950AEOr_t-iB2JOCIE5prthKOAR23bz8HGZehgLlM5CPd-Pfm_INmV8CtvkWikL59wD0bQ_Gz3DqPvogmqmYRTpkBCIrZpaP2DdFTgc8kIpeSWA7TUGkTyOjfMrKV5rJ3BVA/s320/20210704_184000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kai ready to go "off-road".<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xAOxve-kiy81akUuulcPMv-C3wy9q_6G6fsJ1uovVUfOUi9aaMXrBz4TJs2CVNVPf9FBtPEERamW7D7ND8Y3qc21nPFXLJdDEdgq7O2g3sYhG3QrvZjJ8uKe5tzdeEuHlObLaA/s2048/20210708_205316.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xAOxve-kiy81akUuulcPMv-C3wy9q_6G6fsJ1uovVUfOUi9aaMXrBz4TJs2CVNVPf9FBtPEERamW7D7ND8Y3qc21nPFXLJdDEdgq7O2g3sYhG3QrvZjJ8uKe5tzdeEuHlObLaA/s320/20210708_205316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Une on the Downhill track in Beitostølen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuqX8jQr9lgoEtw4wK7q3iTIEssYJS1Ab_bgEKjuIftZ09GJOd-6a0pXsXtAijcJqLkcI60-8_1dTaU_k_zur7UhS-ABvc0OlsAAKbqrn2aGD7C_IWs4-LNQr84VSCs5BB19mQA/s2048/20210719_141206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuqX8jQr9lgoEtw4wK7q3iTIEssYJS1Ab_bgEKjuIftZ09GJOd-6a0pXsXtAijcJqLkcI60-8_1dTaU_k_zur7UhS-ABvc0OlsAAKbqrn2aGD7C_IWs4-LNQr84VSCs5BB19mQA/s320/20210719_141206.jpg" width="180" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Andy marvels at the genial simplicity of the lighthouse glass on Utsira Islands, Norway's smallest municipality 18km off the west coast from Haugesund.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;">Both of our work situations remain unchanged. Andy has be "lucky enough" to have travelled a fair bit, which has involved plenty of Covid testing and days in quarantine.</p><p style="text-align: left;">At this time, everything in Norway is fairly normal, Une has started "Ungdomskole" (Secondary school) and is still dancing, playing football and doing well on the piano and the cello, Liam plays football and the piano and Kai, who is in his last year of kindergarten, has started dancing. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Here are a few more photo highlights. I encourage anyone who has actually read this to leave a little "Hi" in the comments! Good to know if anyone actually finds their way here!!!</p></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGibFRnVLNdjTd4QqcuT-GkPg7eH7MD8pyG6EiKJWcw1ajQAtW8uULEg7LXDJvBLB42uEMIxwjR6kTNHbTvmC825kl3b4aaLthEgYDx2ElTafLI33tGLh63rwf-qQgiXmY5QfjfA/s2048/20210103_130337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGibFRnVLNdjTd4QqcuT-GkPg7eH7MD8pyG6EiKJWcw1ajQAtW8uULEg7LXDJvBLB42uEMIxwjR6kTNHbTvmC825kl3b4aaLthEgYDx2ElTafLI33tGLh63rwf-qQgiXmY5QfjfA/s320/20210103_130337.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cross Country Skiing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRsnvhwxfk8__TlXX5JbOK3wJecEOBh9bR8ex3Q1na3iSOIYDrnMjUzmv9ovJIKxyRhuPTaWUs9krXyf5rrQB2v37izk57eOuLt6cYkBGh7T8YuuTqWSRJJPlIeRqneESZvpilw/s2048/20210306_144209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRsnvhwxfk8__TlXX5JbOK3wJecEOBh9bR8ex3Q1na3iSOIYDrnMjUzmv9ovJIKxyRhuPTaWUs9krXyf5rrQB2v37izk57eOuLt6cYkBGh7T8YuuTqWSRJJPlIeRqneESZvpilw/s320/20210306_144209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kai's 5th Birthday party, outdoors again! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmeAMdiCScKLZpbrub8VxnzTOV_lmWAJ0NOC7unHMXCXQhK97x6yckvyAvX_Tjur7-kfyV3zOPp6Z_sjK-U6yabNXtEPiZdJo962e3QvO2YCp7fg3lVHTQdAIRinQZqPz8r5qFw/s2048/20210517_131854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmeAMdiCScKLZpbrub8VxnzTOV_lmWAJ0NOC7unHMXCXQhK97x6yckvyAvX_Tjur7-kfyV3zOPp6Z_sjK-U6yabNXtEPiZdJo962e3QvO2YCp7fg3lVHTQdAIRinQZqPz8r5qFw/s320/20210517_131854.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0cUuUsVA_ayTqOhM2OvhmeabOe6LTQBDSRuqrglQCruK5y0oT1wbtHqAXL7yr4mQ1UUwX8jcj7KEQF7Hp7ww4NM8tsvMYMaAkDSEfjkXrSHItv1oRI3iET9razq4dCH72VThYw/s2048/20210517_081045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0cUuUsVA_ayTqOhM2OvhmeabOe6LTQBDSRuqrglQCruK5y0oT1wbtHqAXL7yr4mQ1UUwX8jcj7KEQF7Hp7ww4NM8tsvMYMaAkDSEfjkXrSHItv1oRI3iET9razq4dCH72VThYw/s320/20210517_081045.jpg" width="180" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">17th May, Norway's national day. Social Distancing meant DIY activities for a 2nd year running.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCCIygw-vDDwBs8XN4n_PEXbVUBh4brgzRwQekSBfZrP17BJc0SfUQriR3qnVUByiZ_Eg_7LsXuau3lP1eCPkDH0b5jMgP9gFgLTqyklHdENM0RG3k4RYnPRz5xSr1FYSSU20kg/s2048/20210322_215242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCCIygw-vDDwBs8XN4n_PEXbVUBh4brgzRwQekSBfZrP17BJc0SfUQriR3qnVUByiZ_Eg_7LsXuau3lP1eCPkDH0b5jMgP9gFgLTqyklHdENM0RG3k4RYnPRz5xSr1FYSSU20kg/s320/20210322_215242.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPXKW_aO-aHs9-LvnXz2jKiRUO6R9SD5yZPuWJFnTCAGVHdq9M7KpypTPaVCbLDQIB3CIox9E34nE5RVuVbMXsVclRrwirBZFXEiQgvmtAgRnr8lewpnCTpC6SunYJXizP3Oy0A/s2642/20210912_182050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="2642" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPXKW_aO-aHs9-LvnXz2jKiRUO6R9SD5yZPuWJFnTCAGVHdq9M7KpypTPaVCbLDQIB3CIox9E34nE5RVuVbMXsVclRrwirBZFXEiQgvmtAgRnr8lewpnCTpC6SunYJXizP3Oy0A/s320/20210912_182050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8C0MjvgS8EaOoNlNXmQh2F_l472WrAHt4z93YnhL1Dl8ZlhB2VLDPrxfKfjh5xGg3jtgh_bVBIFE5xrTw1b31JZtmyM4PvOX-JNmqJ7dSYDQyhlG8g_Xj64UyfbVjxldR6r2vg/s2642/20210907_112011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="2642" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8C0MjvgS8EaOoNlNXmQh2F_l472WrAHt4z93YnhL1Dl8ZlhB2VLDPrxfKfjh5xGg3jtgh_bVBIFE5xrTw1b31JZtmyM4PvOX-JNmqJ7dSYDQyhlG8g_Xj64UyfbVjxldR6r2vg/s320/20210907_112011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Andy has resurrected his RC plane flying dreams and has clocked up a decent amount of flight time over the field from last cut until the things start growing in the spring. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKKJe8S5VaHBysxoSO8H3L8rWrCh3Z9ylUFO0Q9mFZu5dnd0_fVjRjsMJjdTUOiZcNf-62dlh2IkJ77mqLyu09pOEks9B59_YVCh9M6dVI1X2QYF4sticmR80aOHZBGdpwRmcyQ/s2642/20210919_164946.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKKJe8S5VaHBysxoSO8H3L8rWrCh3Z9ylUFO0Q9mFZu5dnd0_fVjRjsMJjdTUOiZcNf-62dlh2IkJ77mqLyu09pOEks9B59_YVCh9M6dVI1X2QYF4sticmR80aOHZBGdpwRmcyQ/s320/20210919_164946.jpg" width="144" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_Q76FDw52ls49T5ZU1lzulxWvZvSCBwizwDPfQVWEjRIFHKNxc4-WMXE9Y9YIRfPDBrqUAzM6VUAkzGMEkBXCNLsrMTyB8bgFj9xR2HjSk9cSD9LTlKLD0lsGtiLlQKX8-Jp3A/s2642/20210919_164940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_Q76FDw52ls49T5ZU1lzulxWvZvSCBwizwDPfQVWEjRIFHKNxc4-WMXE9Y9YIRfPDBrqUAzM6VUAkzGMEkBXCNLsrMTyB8bgFj9xR2HjSk9cSD9LTlKLD0lsGtiLlQKX8-Jp3A/s320/20210919_164940.jpg" width="144" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Home produce from the boys vegetable beds.<br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI2xnq_6p6i7C6heGYoBkdjRHUxWB2_RZbigq5j-kys5hcHbHDG2-aXDM3gmoUiRD-6bB3pR_JCCWKi35yOeSDQwvPHLIRNp0AiDIkreVsDTh64gLTqy0_GvRVPgDTsIztOgjSA/s2048/20210405_152701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI2xnq_6p6i7C6heGYoBkdjRHUxWB2_RZbigq5j-kys5hcHbHDG2-aXDM3gmoUiRD-6bB3pR_JCCWKi35yOeSDQwvPHLIRNp0AiDIkreVsDTh64gLTqy0_GvRVPgDTsIztOgjSA/s320/20210405_152701.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Spitfires gearbox has ended up as a "bag of bits" so Andy has plenty to do this winter!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuowF0qgylUQ3UfWoy2rTdiSUrTx5DAW7zyNOwV28PG-eH3eLWgYleO1yEmh2NP4Y_QnEajegLyXAolpU_U4ADwuOAx9HO7nYnXaVYYYfvAAiXDbhj6RvE-icC5HZroxOd-r4U2Q/s2642/20210501_151635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuowF0qgylUQ3UfWoy2rTdiSUrTx5DAW7zyNOwV28PG-eH3eLWgYleO1yEmh2NP4Y_QnEajegLyXAolpU_U4ADwuOAx9HO7nYnXaVYYYfvAAiXDbhj6RvE-icC5HZroxOd-r4U2Q/s2642/20210501_151635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="2642" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuowF0qgylUQ3UfWoy2rTdiSUrTx5DAW7zyNOwV28PG-eH3eLWgYleO1yEmh2NP4Y_QnEajegLyXAolpU_U4ADwuOAx9HO7nYnXaVYYYfvAAiXDbhj6RvE-icC5HZroxOd-r4U2Q/s320/20210501_151635.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's not only Andy who is mad for Unicycling, Here's Une out for a ride! </div>Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-81937353034035960642019-11-19T19:36:00.000+01:002019-11-19T19:42:06.093+01:00Kris-Kindle 2019It's that time of year again. Here's the yearly Kris Kindle post.<br />
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By one whole day we are still 14 and it has been decided that we will work in couples again. With 50, 25, 20 and 15 year wedding anniversaries between us this year it would be a shame not to do enjoy KK with our partners...!!!!<br />
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Inflation has hit KK and it's €150 per couple this year.<br />
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It has also been requested that kids presents wishes be posted here and not on Whatsapp....<br />
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So, no time like the present, give us your clues and let's open the fun!!!<br />
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<br />Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-2510065223200961382018-12-21T21:45:00.000+01:002018-12-21T21:45:09.754+01:00Christmas Message 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Well, I've no idea where that year went. It feels like my feet have hardly touched the ground!</div>
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Just a very short summary of life this year and a larger version of the pictures that ended up slightly microscopic on the Christmas card!</div>
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We are all well and there have not been many big changes this year. The boys continue with many activities, various musical instruments, lots of dancing and some football. I still run when I can, but, without a baby to run with in a buggy, have not been anywhere near last years level. Mari took the opportunity to join the adult ballet class which coincides with one of the boys classes. She enjoys it a lot, except when they have practice pirouetting again and again! </div>
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We wish one and all a very merry Christmas and all the best for 2019. We've almost finished 2 new guest rooms, so if any one fancies a visit then drop us a line!</div>
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The winter was long and hard, lasting until May when we went straight into summer!<br />
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Kai loves to help in the kitchen!</div>
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A day in the city with Mormor.</div>
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Summer holiday in Ireland, Fish spotting with Grandad in their pond.</div>
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We ran our first OCR (obstacle course race) this year. A military/navy inspired race spending as much time in the sea as out including swimming out to a war ship, climbing up it and jumping off the bow! One of the most fun races I have ever done!!!</div>
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Picking stones from the "field"! </div>
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Three young runners at the end of Re-mila, a local race.Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-32964783303973800422018-11-10T21:51:00.002+01:002018-11-10T22:01:25.534+01:00Kris-Kindle 2018For the 12th time, it's Kris-Kindle on the blog, and 13 becomes 14 with the coming of age of the next oldest grandchild.<br />
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This means we're back to couples, 5 of which are married, 1 engaged and 1 which is, errrr, siblings...<br />
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€100 for each couple, which each and every can decide to share or split (something the couple which isn't a couple will most likely do).<br />
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We've already decided to split our present, Mrs VL would love a new tooth brush and I'll be happy to get something for whatever is left.<br />
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So everyone, get hinting, let's be enthusiastic, energetic, humorous and don't leave it to long to get started.<br />
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<br />Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-51338284343630774282017-12-18T21:22:00.000+01:002017-12-18T21:32:37.995+01:00Christmas Message 2017<div>
2017 seems to have vanished in a flash. Life is hectic but good. With number three and various activities for the older boys, progress on projects is slow and time for oneself has to be squeezed in, but we wouldn't have it any other way!</div>
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The year started with us sharing 50% parental leave at home with Kai. Having invested in a decent sports buggy, I spent many happy "sleep times" out running and as a result I am on course to pass 1000km for the year and have posted my best half marathon time and improved my 10km time for the 4th year in a row.</div>
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Kai did not start Barnehage (kindergarten) until after the summer holidays. Even with 54 weeks paid leave we then still had to scrape together holidays, time in lieu and take a few weeks unpaid leave to manage.</div>
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Mari enjoyed her time at home with Kai and also got plenty of fresh air and kept herself fit (although not to the same extremes as I did!). Saying that, I think she was quite ready to get back to 100% work after the summer.</div>
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Yet again, it seems climate change is real, we had a very unstable winter and there was hardly any decent skiing possibilities locally. We did get skiing at Easter though. We stayed with Mari's Mum's in her timeshare chalet in Beitostølen. Even up in the mountains there was relatively little snow and we had to drive to ski, but not so far. We treated the oldest boys to a day on the slalom slopes and now it's not just that 9 year old who has the measure of me. Liam, only 5 at the time, had full control and I didn't always dare to follow his lines!</div>
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For the summer holiday we enjoyed a very nice rented house together with my parents in West Wittering. The 3000km round trip through Europe via the channel tunnel went over all expectations. We made the journey home part of the holiday with 2 night stops in both Aachen, Germany and in a camping chalet in Horsens on the east coast of Denmark.<br />
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Both Une and Liam are very keen dancers. For the first half of the year they both danced Hip Hop and Break once a week. The term culminated in 4 performances of Alice in Wonderland with Liam and Une dancing as Flames (Hip Hop) and Furniture (Break). This autumn they both continued dancing Break and Hip Hop and Une also started dancing house. Next term they will have to drop Hip Hop, but we are really looking forward to them dancing Break and Une dancing House in Willy Wonkas Chocolate Factory.....<br />
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Une continues to enjoy learning the Piano and is working on the Associated Board Grade 1 pieces with a thought of taking the exam next May in Oslo. He has swapped the Baritone for the Cello, which he started after the summer. He played with the cultural school's orchestra for a Christmas concert, O come all ye faithful with a cello part arranged for open strings! </div>
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Liam Started school in August and seems to have simply glided into it without any issues. He is doing well, and other than a tendency to leave his clothing exactly where he takes it off (not sure where he got that from), we are very happy with his progress and the way he is handling the change.</div>
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Kai, who will be 2 in March, having helped delivering and fetching Liam for many months before the summer, seemed to feel at home in Barnehage right from the start. He now loves it and is proving to be a little charmer, doing all the right things, most of the time, and only some of the wrong things some of the time!!!! We're now at a really exciting time of his development with new words coming almost everyday!<br />
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In the house we have at last finished the new office upstairs in the extension. We have moved in there, and our old bedroom is now divided into two guest rooms which are well one the way and should be ready not to long into the new year. After those are finished, the plan (for now) is to start work on our new bedroom and en-suite. The need for two upstairs bathrooms is becoming more and more pressing for every passing year!</div>
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Sadly, Mari's Dad passed away on the 7th of June shortly after his 91st Birthday. He suffered a bad fall and had a stroke shortly after.</div>
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There is, as always, so very much more to tell, but if those of you who have read this far would like to know more then drop us a line or come to visit, then you can get the stories first hand !<br />
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Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and all the best for 2018. Love Andy, Mari, Une Liam and Kai!<br />
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Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-60417037599657532202017-11-11T22:19:00.000+01:002017-11-11T22:19:51.765+01:00Kris-Kindle 2017<br />
All I want for Christmas is.... a Brake control module for a Volvo XC70 that doesn't display a myriad of warnings and cause all sorts of important functions to stop doing exactly that, to be able to ride my Unicycle, to have the house ready for winter, firewood, snow, peace on earth, lights in the middle barn, more space and less cr4p filling it..... So, that's what I want, but what does everyone else want.<br />
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Same set up as last year, singles, €50, and as far as I am aware (correct me if I am wrong) the same 13 members as last year.<br />
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Get posting.Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-42118840558913311482016-12-28T22:11:00.000+01:002016-12-28T22:15:32.730+01:00Christmas Message 2016Apologies for a very late Christmas message, especially to those who have already received Christmas cards and come looking for a message that was not yet written. Life has been, if possible, even more hectic than ever this December.<br />
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We have had a very eventful year and many good times. The year started with Mari heavily pregnant but active and in good form, even toughing out 2 weeks on here own in January whilst I was in Adelaide, Australia undertaking an upgrade on Fiberpipes 2 Glassfibre pipe production lines (Fiberpipe is a licensee of Flowtite, with whom I have now worked for nearly 10 years).<br />
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After coming home from Australia and travelling to Germany for another cancelled Cross Country ski race we spent the winter holiday in Maris works chalet in the mountains above Rujkan. Mari is still working as a public health advisor for the county council. This would be our last holiday for a few years without a small baby/toddler so it was a good chance for Daddy to introduce the boys to Slalom. After so many hours on Cross country skis they took to it like ducks to water. Une, who is normally quite sensible and careful, showed no fear and quite a bit of talent. I was dismayed when he announced "that was fun, can we do it again" at the bottom of a 2.5km run, bits of which scared the daylights out of me, and then experienced one of the darkest moments of the year when he vanished into the distance on the second run and I found him at the bottom "looking at his watch".<br />
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Mari gave birth 17 days early on a Saturday and we were lucky that her mum was at her Chalet and could come at short notice to look after the boys. They had a great time and talked themselves into an extra large portion of honey on their sandwiches!! Kai Nevin came to the world Healthy and without complications.<br />
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I have become obsessed with growing chillies, of which I am very fond. From previous failures, I knew that I needed to do a little extra to ensure germination. I spent (just) a few hours developing and building a growing system with fully automated soil heating, grow lights and moisture measurement. This proved highly successful and Mari has (mostly) been very tolerant of chilli plants here there and everywhere. I have enjoyed many a fresh chilli including Bhut Jolokia which was the Guiness record holder for hottest in the world until 2011. This year I hope to grow Carolina reaper which is the current record holder, I have also plans for an automated heated "cold frame", although, with everything else that's going on, this may be a project for another year.<br />
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Mari's dad turned 90 in May this year and we all took a trip to the west coast of Norway to celebrate in Maris sisters newly extended and refurbished farm house on an Island near Bergen. We had a very good time and were lucky to experience good weather, which really doesn't happen often. It is such a beautiful place when the sun shines.<br />
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Our summer holiday started with a week in Finland celebrating our god daughter (and nieces) confirmation. <br />
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A little later it was on to Ireland for a few days in a country house hotel in Wicklow before travelling on to Cork for my younger sister Clare's wedding. We took advantage of having the whole family in one place and Kai was baptised in my parents and oldest sisters local church in west cork. After this we enjoyed a great week in together with most of the rest of our Family in self catering Cottages on the small west cork island of Inish Beg. We almost had this wonderful estate all to ourselves and really enjoyed ourselves. All in all a very memorable and enjoyable holiday, although I did become a little bit weary of packing everything a family of 5 with a small baby needs in and out of cars and aeroplanes!<br />
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Une is now 8 and in the 3rd class of primary school. He is doing well at school and really enjoys mathematics and reading, he is also now starting to get a hang of reading English, so much so that he follows when I am reading for him at bed time and complains if I miss out words or read words in the wrong order. We have been reading the whole of the Hiccup memoirs (How to train your dragon) and are now on the 11th book and finally getting close to finding out if Hiccup can save the day... I can highly recommend these books to parents out there!!<br />
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Liam, who is 5 is now in his final year of barnehage (kindergarten) and struggled for some time with being one of the oldest and not having older boys to look up to and hang out with. Right from the start he had his big brother to look after him, and has always been physical and enjoyed being with the older boys. It took him a while to feel comfortable and enjoy being the one the others looked up to and followed.<br />
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Both boys have ended up with quite a handful of activities, and the first days of the week are a bit of a logistical challenge. Une has Baritone and Football on Mondays, Hip Hop dancing on Tuesdays, Piano and Swimming on Wednesdays. He is showing a fair talent on the Piano and at times it is difficult to get him away from it. He would probably be also competent on the Baritone if he had the motivation to practice! Liam also plays football and started hip hop this year. Having 2 boys in 2 different groups added to the already challenging logistics and meant that Kai had to be dragged out on Monday evenings so we were very grateful when Liam was allowed to join Unes group despite being 1 year too young. Their group made it to the final of the "dance off" and danced on stage in a venue in Tonsberg. The dancing school do a great job and it is really impressive to see what they achieve especially with the older groups. Both boys absolutely love it as well!!<br />
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Mari went back to work (50%) in the middle of November and I have started 50% leave. We will continue like this until May next year. Although we have applied for a place in barnehage starting in May, Kai will most likely start in August. We are not yet quite sure about how we will handle this gap, but it will most likely involve us using up most of our holidays and taking some unpaid leave.<br />
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Despite all the driving here there and everywhere and a new baby in the house, I have managed to take advantages of any "dead time" (while boys are at football and hip hop) and keep up my running. I havn't run any marathons this year, but improved my times on all other distances. We have purchased a sports buggy which I run with every time I am at home with Kai and he is ready for his sleep time. (we are now on 50/50 parental leave).<br />
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Work on the inside of the house is progressing, one of the reasons why the run up to Christmas has been extra busy and this post is so late. The first of the new rooms is almost ready and was used as a guest room for Maris sisters family who visited for the Christmas celebrations.<br />
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It's too late to wish you all a merry Christmas, but we hope you had you all had a good one and wish you all the best for 2017. Love and regards to all our friends out there around the world, Any, Mari, Une, Liam and Kai<br />
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Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-41937897122062155712016-11-08T13:42:00.001+01:002016-11-08T13:42:53.123+01:00Kris-Kindle 2016The demographic of KK is changing. The first of the third generation will soon pass the age of consent and more importantly for all the aunts and uncles, the age when he qualifies for Christmas and birthday presents. It's good to have one less to think about before any more turn up.<br />
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KK therefore has a new member, who cannot be defined as a couple. Therefore we are back to individuals. One can only assume that also those who were mad enough to marry into the Family are included (for the first time on their own 2 feet) and that long term partners who live under the same roof are also in for the first time on there own.<br />
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So, please correct me if I am wrong, but this years KK is made up of the following.<br />
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2 Grandparents.<br />
5 Siblings<br />
2 Husbands<br />
2 Wives<br />
1 Partner<br />
1 Grand Child.<br />
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Probably just as well that we've kicked off a few weeks earlier than last year. There should be time for lots of fun and games as people give their cryptic or otherwise clues. The best news is that I already know what I want......<br />
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As ever some hints about what the other nieces and nephews would like are also highly appreciated.Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-72354247914066731012015-11-29T21:58:00.000+01:002015-11-29T21:58:13.076+01:00Christmas Message 2015The main theme of this year for us has been the work on the house. Construction work on the extension started early in February and continued for about 10 weeks. Then the builders returned after the summer holidays and made the external modifications to the south end of the house including new double glass doors and a patio/steps out to the garden. We have had an architect prepare a fully updated set of drawings that will transform the house inside and out. It's going to take a good few years to complete this work, and we'll be living in a half finished house for that time, but at least we now know exactly where we're going and so far we are super happy with the results.<br />
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We did a lot of the stripping and tidying ourselves and the periods when the builders where here were quite intense. There was a little bit too much "musical rooms" at times as we had to empty most of the rooms we were living in.<br />
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It's a lot less finished on the inside than the outside, we're doing most of the inside work ourselves so, as ever, we are not short of things to keep ourselves amused! I can at least say that it is insulated, so the house is no colder than it has been.<br />
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Une finished his 1st year of school and started 2nd class after the summer. He is doing well and enjoying school. He is also playing football and attending hip hop dancing. Just this evening he has been to a "dance off" where his group had made the finals in the category of best improvers!<br />
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Liam still has one more year after this at kindergarten, but all the same has been in the oldest group since the summer. He manages fine with the older kids and really has a good time and gets involved in all the activities.<br />
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We had a long weekend with Mormor (grandmother) in Beitestølen during easter and it was great to be able to get out for a couple of proper skiing trips with the boys. Une and Mari had a trip of well over 10km and we all had a 6 km trip back to the chalet from the top of the ski lift in absolutely fantastic conditions.<br />
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This summer we all visited "Uncle Stephen" in London and the boys enjoyed a trip to Legoland in <br />
Windsor (as did their Dad and Uncle). After this we enjoyed a week in a Norwegian mountain chalet together with Grandma and Granddad (and Mormor for a couple of days).<br />
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We were very lucky to have a weekend away on our own for my mates wedding on the Wirral, thanks to good friends that were looking after Une and Liam from Sunday to Tuesday. This was the 2nd time in the last 7 years that we have had a night alone together, so three whole days in a different country was something very special. We had a great time!<br />
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I still have some travelling with my job and this year trips included South Africa, Argentina, Columbia and Saudi. Whilst there is an awful lot to do at home with the kids and the building work it is still exciting and a privilege to be able to see the world and experience different cultures. All being well there should be a trip to Adelaide early in the new year.<br />
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In addition to travelling with work I found time to travel to Sweden for the 90km Vasaloppet (cross country skiing race), which I completed in a little under 11 hours and to England for Bacchus Marathon which I just managed to cross the line under 4 hours (but only by 8 seconds!). In addition I also ran two Ultra Marathons, 52km and 50km. Next year it will be Konig Ludvik Lauf in the German Alps!<br />
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Mari is still with the Fylkeskommune (County Council) and a lot of her efforts have focused on a pilot public health survey for the inhabitants of Vestfold and 3 other counties. Mari has also been heavily involved in setting up a "beredskapsvakt" (civil response group) with Red Cross in the municipality.<br />
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We both turned 40 this year and enjoyed a great garden party with friends and family in August.<br />
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We took the hard decision to have Peggy put to sleep in February. She was a very old lady of around 14 years and we have very fond memories of our time with her.<br />
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Our 3 remaining Bengals now have free access to the garden via a cat flap and we now enjoy deliveries of dead mice at frequent intervals. Most likely it's Asia who is terrorising the rodent population, but we have yet to confirm this.<br />
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The final "little" bit of news is that Mari is expecting, and all being well, I will get even less done on the house from the end of March on. We've be for a few scans and everything looks good with the baby and the Mum. No, it's not two and we don't know if it is a girl or a boy"<br />
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So, here's wishing all our friends and family a Very Merry Christmas and All the best for 2016!!<br />
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All our love, Andy, Mari, Une and Liam.Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-92229354116221537962015-11-25T21:07:00.000+01:002015-11-25T21:11:07.707+01:00Kris-Kindle 2015So, definitely time to get this malarkey underway for another year. It's €100 per couple again this year and each couple can choose if they will have individual presents or 1 joint one.<br />
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Get posting, we've only got a few weeks before things need to be sent. Creativity and hilarity is desired.<br />
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The other thing that is desired is wishes for the smalls and clothes sizes if appropriate.Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-40718597644394706302015-03-23T01:47:00.000+01:002015-03-23T01:47:06.600+01:00House Improvements #30. Taking shape.As ever, I've fallen behind in my blogging. Now, however, as I look out of a 19th floor window over the beautiful Colombian city of Medellin high up in the Andes, I have a couple of hours to kill before bed so what better to do!<br />
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Things moved on quickly and by the end of the second week the roof construction was in place and the extension was really taking shape.<br />
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It was real thrill to come home from work each day and see the house dramatically changed from the day before.</div>
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In what will be the new office, we decided to have the room open all the way up to the roof joists. The original house does not have particularly high ceilings so we decided this was worth the extra effort and cost to add a feeling of "roominess". The office is well used, with all the bills to pay, e-mails to send and Mari working from home up to one day a week.<br />
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We were both surprised by the depth of the beam required to hold the weight of the roof (even though it is dimensioned for snow). Even after we've put in an air gap and 30cm of insulation this is going to be a great feature.</div>
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During the second week, the windows and balcony doors also arrived. We've organised all the materials ourselves and surprisingly enough had to ask to have these delayed and stored in the factory so we didn't have to store them for weeks ourselves.<br />
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We'd have to wait another 2 weeks before we saw these installed, but it was good to know they were here and would not delay the job.</div>
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. Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-16404025648407959142015-01-22T20:45:00.000+01:002015-01-22T20:45:42.053+01:00House Improvements #29. Main Construction Week 1With the delays in the foundations, it was decided to start construction immediately in the new year instead of a week or 2 before the holiday. With the start of construction imminent I put in the order for the first load of materials. Primarily the 1 1/2" x 6" that would be used for the frame and some 2"x4" and 2"x6". 2 days later this was outside.<br />
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As agreed, construction on the frame of the extension started last week on Monday the 12th of January. We had a meeting with the builders on Monday morning early and as we set off to work, they set of to fetch all there equipment.<br />
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Arriving home on Monday and Tuesday was a slight disappointment with apparently very little visible progress (although they had fetched a lot of equipment on Monday and put down the bottom support on Tuesday and measured all the relative heights, so they had been working hard). <br />
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Coming home on Wednesday was a different story. Suddenly most of the wall frames for the ground floor were in place. I travelled to Germany on Thursday morning and when I came home on Saturday this is the site I saw. <br />
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Here's a view of the new "library" with it's large windows and high ceiling.</div>
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and here's the new entrance/porch.<br />
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Only issue this week was the telephone cable which did not survive a meeting with the chainsaw the used for removing the old cladding. This did not take long for me to fix and we had phone/internet again on Saturday evening.<br />
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With the frames of the first floor complete, week 2 was due to start with flooring for the 1st floor.<br />
Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-2292284426427694152015-01-05T21:45:00.000+01:002015-01-05T21:45:22.414+01:00Summer Holiday Rota System (SHRS), a suggestion.
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We discussed this briefly during the summer holiday in Cumbria and would like to go further on this idea, please discuss in the comments.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why have a SHRS? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It will make it
easier to reach a common decision each year, and it is good to be able to plan
ahead. The Nicholls family is growing and communication about holiday plans can
take a lot of time and effort. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What are the obligations?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is great if as
many as possible are able to join in on the common holiday, but it is entirely
voluntary for an individual or a family. There should be a good reason for diverting
from the rota one year, for example, somebody arranging a wedding with a desire
for a common holiday in connection with this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Specific responsibilities:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those that live in
a host country take the first initiative for arrangements that year. Those that
do not live in neither Ireland, Finland or Norway are responsible for the “Other
country” year (see below).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is the system:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is based on the
pattern since 2011 and we shall call it <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BISON</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">B= Break year
(2011)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I= Ireland (2012)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">S= Finland (Soumi, since it makes a nice word!) (2013) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">O= Other country
(2014)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">N= Norway<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This means that it
is Norway in 2015, and ahead the years will be like this:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2016 =B<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2017= I<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2018= S</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2019= O<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2020 = N<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What now?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Comments and discussion please. Agree, Disagree, Don't know....</span></span></div>
Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-76198405924811282222014-12-21T22:30:00.002+01:002014-12-21T22:30:09.581+01:00Christmans Message 2014<br />
So, another year has gone and this one has been no less hectic than all the others.<br />
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The year started with both boys still very happy in their last 6 months together in kindergarten. For the first time as a family we treated ourselves to a traditional "winter holiday" and rented a chalet for a week in Vierli up on Hardangervidda. We had a great time. We finally built the Lego Campervan that we had bought Easter 2013 during our visit to Legoland. We dug out a snow cave and made a snow castle and did lots of cross country skiing. Unes' skiing abilities came on with leaps and bounds and during the week he managed a trip of 9km which took him over the 50km total for the season he needed to be awarded "gull barneskimerke" (gold distance). <br />
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Not long after, Mari, who had a temporary 80% position at the National public health institute in Oslo landed a full time and permanent job as an advisor in epidemiology for the public Health group in Vestfold fylkeskommunen (Vestfold county council). This job is based in the nearby town of Tønsberg, a welcome end of four hours a day spent commuting. She is enjoying having the possibility to work on long term issues with the knowledge that she will be able to follow them all the way to the end.<br />
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During the summer, after a long drive through Europe, we enjoyed a fantastic 2 weeks in Cockermouth. Together with the rest of my now very extend family and Peggy, who enjoy returning home, we rented Woodhall. <br />
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This is a lovely country house and gardens which had space for all of us. During our time there we discovered all the fun things to do in Cumbria that we hadn't done during the years we lived there. Both children and parents had a fantastic time and one of the highlights was hanging off the side of Conister on the "via ferrata", while the rest of the Family visited the slate mine!<br />
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I continue my running and cycling and our trip to Cumbria coincided with the Lakeland Marathon in Coniston. Mari and I, together with 3 other members of the "family" ran the half distance and enjoyed a tough but spectacular outing in the fells.<br />
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Later in the year, I joined my younger brother Stephen and a couple of mates and ran the Bacchus marathon in Dorking in September. My time was an unimpressive 4:39, but in my defence I had my week old broken nose straighten 2 days before the race. Also, Bacchus is off road and not flat with a winning time over 3 hours.<br />
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Une, now 6, started school in September, and whilst the change from Kindergarten has been a challenge, he is loving learning and his reading is really starting to develop. Liam, 3, has not missed his big brother in kindergarten too much and really enjoys being one of the bigger boys. Une started swimming this autumn and continues to play football. Liam, has been doing Gymnastics, which he really loves. <br />
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As ever, the list of projects started this year is longer than the list of projects completed. one job that did get finshed was building Maris new bike, a foldable full size 26" mountain with a "Changebike" frame purchased from Taiwan. Mari folds it up and puts it in the boot of the car so that she can park outside the toll ring and cycle the last bit into work.<br />
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Another project, which has taken up a lot of time during the spring and the Autumn was changing the roof on the lowest part of the barn. It was a job that had to be done, but turned out to be even bigger than anticipated and the extent of the job and the scope was perhaps not fully understood and agreed, still the roof is now on and it's no longer leaking or liable to disappear in a gust of Wind.<br />
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Otherwise, as you can see in some other posts, we started work with an architect earlier in the year and are now underway with an extension and substantial internal changes on the house. It's going to be a process that takes a number of years, but we are looking forward to adding our own touch to the house.<br />
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We still have 3 of our Bengals, Asia, Anitra and Amazing. They are getting older but still healthy and highly active. Peggy is showing signs of her 13+ years and has had a few scares. Just now she is doing OK, but is quite deaf (although this is partially selectable).<br />
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Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and all the best for 2015!<br />
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And after a day, there was a small bit of the house and a large chunk of the garden missing!<br />
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I must say that, even though I prefer to do things myself, it is quite fun to come home each day and see that other people have been there and that the job has progressed. The new foundation walls went up quite quickly, but due to the contractor using his head instead of the drawings and our late decision to have heating cables in the external steps and entrance finishing the job took a bit longer than planned.<br />
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But here it is, foundations complete. The delays meant that the next part of the construction will not start until the week after new year. That's no real problem, we're not in that much of a rush and the window supplier has agreed to hold the windows until the are needed early in February. Good news, the barns already full without having to find space for 8 windows and 2 balcony doors!<br />
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<br />Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-21631667209122939852014-10-28T22:00:00.000+01:002014-10-28T22:00:42.751+01:00Kris-Kindle 2014.As requested, and as ever not before time. Here's the 2014, ever more extended family Kris Kindle. It has been decided that, since BLS (or is that LBS!) and London Son are both co-habiting and having partners that are considered a part of the afore mentioned extended family, we will go back to couples. Same rules as ever, but this time it's €100 per couple.<br />
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Whilst a couple based KK may make the shopping easier, will it make the choosing of that one wants harder? I want titanium bike parts, but doubt that that's what we'll end up asking for...........<br />
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Get advertising and, in the spirit of KK, let's have plenty of laughs and if there are to be any competitions let's, not in the spirit of KK, have something other than music!!!!Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-73304977707535215802014-10-28T21:39:00.002+01:002014-10-28T21:39:58.465+01:00Home improvements #27<br />
After, a few years of 2 posts/year we've started a project that we feel is really worth recording for the future, and whilst Facebook is great for sharing photos and such, it's limited and not all have access. So, let's see if I can't manage keep updated on progress on "the blog"<br />
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I'll start with #27, because we've actually done loads in the house already, removed clay insulation in the basement roof and re-insulated, remove saw dust from the loft and re-insulated, a complete new electrical installation and fuse box (and all the walls still open after that process), the games room split into 2 bedrooms a new stove in the dining room and much, much more.<br />
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And so, onto more serious business, as the boys grow up, we have more and more missed a proper porch and a decent access to the garden to the south where the sun and the sand(pit) are (as well as the trampoline and kitchen garden).<br />
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To help us find a solution we found ourselves an architect, from the capital as it happens, not local!! Needless to say, what could have been a porch and a new door has turned into a 50 square meter extension and a set of drawings which leaves about 3 rooms in the house untouched. Here's a little taster.<br />
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Those of you who know our house, will see the change, this is just the outside, the inside changes are just as significant. As of today, foundations walls are complete, within a week or two, the front steps and internal floors will be concreted and construction will start. More later (perhaps!)....<br />
Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-86204848735772508352013-12-01T21:41:00.000+01:002013-12-01T21:41:11.990+01:00Christmas Message 2013This years Christmas Message is early for once! December's going to be a busy month, starting with a trip to Saudi for me and then a couple of Days in Brussels for Mari, so our Christmas cards are written and we are trying to be a little ahead of the game.<br />
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The most significant happening of the year must be Maris' completion of her PhD, which she successfully defended in May. So I can now refer to her as Dr. Wife. Mari has now left the Veterinary University and is now working at the "Folkehelse Institut" (Institute of Public Health) in the department for Infectious disease epidemiology. This is a 6 month contract but there is a good chance that it will be extended. She has a 70% position and some possibility for home office so the commute to Oslo is manageable as well as fetching from Kindergarten most days.<br />
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No major changes for my work, still doing an acceptable amount of traveling, this year mainly Germany, Turkey and Poland. Next year I will most likely have a few trips to Saudi and a trip to Kazakhstan fairly early in the year, which will be, erm cold!<br />
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My efforts to keep myself fit now include cross country skiing races, something that I would never have dreamed of doing a couple of years back! My biggest achievement was completing Birkebeinerennet, a famous 54km race with well over 1000m accent over a mountain between Rena and Lillehammer. It was tough and I was very pleased to see the finish line after 5 Hours and 48 minutes. I have also started to run a lot more and as part of the Birken Triple I ran the Birkebeinerløpet half marathon (off road). I completed this with a badly twisted ankle, which meant that I could not run for about 4 month. Next year we are planning to run the Coniston Fell half marathon in July and the Bacchus Marathon in September. I am sure that my brother Stephen is really looking forward to joining me for these challenges!<br />
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The boys, Une, now 5, and Liam 2, are both growing and full of life. Liam is a real joker, something Mari claims comes from me..... Une can be a little more serious at times, but also great fun. He loves building Lego and can disappear to his room and work on a set for a long period. During last winter we attended skiing sessions which gave him a lot more confidence on skis. He has also been doing Jazz ballet, which has given him a real sense of rhythm, and started playing football, which, for the time being, is mostly an opportunity to be social and have a laugh with his friends! Liam is full of words and a real 2 year old, especially when he decides he can do something on his own!<br />
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Peggy is showing her age, she had a couple of age related episodes this year, but for now is still going fairly strong. Sadly, Vegas our oldest male Bengal, had to be put down before the summer. A combination of problems gave us a real issue to get any nutrition into him and he was wasting away.<br />
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We have done a fair bit on the house and the garden, including drainage around the basement which should help to dry it out. The majority of the electrics in the house are now changed, including a new fuse box, and we have come a long way with the insulation. In terms of aesthetics it may seem that we are going backwards, but we will get there in the end! So, lots of projects on the go for those of you who like working holidays!<br />
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Here's wishing you all a very merry Christmas and all the best for 2014!<br />
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Love,<br />
Andy, Mari, Une and Liam<br />
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<br />Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-31861819362383443522013-11-19T18:28:00.000+01:002013-11-19T18:29:37.363+01:00Kris-Kindle 2013Here's the first of the blogs now traditional two yearly posts. The second, may or may not come before Christmas day, but it will come!<br />
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So, Kris-Kindle time. Same rules as ever, individuals buying for individuals, €50 maximum limit, anonymous givers, good hints required.<br />
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In addition Dr(formerly known as Mrs) VL, would like, ASAP, ideas for presents for the 8 or so Nieces and Nephews that we have presents to buy for.<br />
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Get posting, remember, cryptic and witty posts are appreciated (just as long as the answer becomes clear in good time). Next year, I'm going to start this blog post in July. I knew what I wanted then, but now I have forgotten!!! Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-54290857199559366102012-12-22T21:52:00.000+01:002012-12-22T21:52:32.524+01:00Christmas Message 2012 <br />
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2012 started with us sharing parental leave until the summer. After the summer holiday Liam started full time in Kindergarden. We were very lucky to get a place in the same kindergarden which Une is in. Liam settled in very well and it's been great for both of the boys to have each other. It's a real pleasure when you fetch them and they are sitting in the sand pit together or climbing on the big cushions in the gym room. For us, having both boys and full time careers proves to be a challenge and sometimes it feels that life is one constant struggle to get places on time whilst getting enough sleep to meet the next, equally hectic day. All in all though, life is good and we are really enjoying family life and watching our boys growing up.<br />
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Liam is a real live wire and unlike his big brother is not afraid to try and fail. He spent the summer trying and almost managing to walk and was toddling around by 11 months. Since then he's mastered climbing on whatever is available and really is high and low and all over the place. There's no resting when he's about but he's great fun and a real character. He seems more interested in mastering the physical challanges that life presents than mastering language but he is very clear with his nods and shakes of the heads and generally manages to indicate what he wants by pointing.<br />
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Une, on the other hand, really has mastered both languages and is now working on the (both) alphabets and simple maths. He's been going to "jazz ballet" and had a performance together with older children a few weeks back. He really enjoys this and will continue next year. He's also cycling on 2 wheels and completed a couple of races, a challenge which he has really enjoyed. <br />
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Mari is nearing the end of her PhD. Her thesis is pretty much complete and she plans to hand this in during the first 2 weeks of the new year. After that there is an approval process which takes about 6 weeks and then the final public hearing. Knowing Mari, I expect this will go fine. Then, there's the question of getting a job! Nothing in the pipe line just now but fingers crossed.<br />
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I'm still working at Flowtite and with our 45 production facilities around the world I am kept more than busy enough. There lots going on including a large upgrade project in Saudi and plenty of development work in many lands. I've been overseas a fair but mostly managable amount including time in Turkey, Qatar, Saudi, Germany and Poland. There will be more trips to Turkey and Saudi next year and plenty of possibilities to travel to other exciting places if it fits with everyday life. I'm still keeping as fit as I find time to and have competed in a number of events including my first ever cross country Ski race, 41km in just over 4 hours and the worlds largest mountain bike race the 94km Birkebeinrittet with 18,000 starters which I completed in 4h15mins. This year is even more ambitious including the 54km cross country Birken ski race and a (terrain) half marathon. <br />
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We've only had a few trips overseas as a family this year, but managed to have a great Easter Holiday in Finland with the Finnish gang and summer in Ireland for my Dad's 70th celebrations. A rare occassion when all of my parents 5 children and 10 grandchildren where in the same place at the same time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCFnBoI1JejcjccuE1Rf0TL9FqPPy6MgzCveTsjmACXK_vbTZNuCMgRY0DWBahx6RGJalbBOIK5NR_8mqgqrYkdBBlU2qjY1-Fw_kcooeviw8iq2Sq3sTF_PX2c60kgP8MUateg/s1600/121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCFnBoI1JejcjccuE1Rf0TL9FqPPy6MgzCveTsjmACXK_vbTZNuCMgRY0DWBahx6RGJalbBOIK5NR_8mqgqrYkdBBlU2qjY1-Fw_kcooeviw8iq2Sq3sTF_PX2c60kgP8MUateg/s320/121.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Peggy is showing her age and is quite stiff in her back leg. For many years it seemed that she would be forever young, but time is now catching up with her. She's given us and the boys a lot of happiness and many great memories and she will be sadly missed the day that she is no longer with us.<br />
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The other half of the room we split in two is still half finished and the only real progress in there has been tidying enough so that we have space to hang clothes to dry! The fuse box still needs moving, only half the loft is fully insulated and as for the basement and the barn!!!!! We did manage to find time to fetch the other half of my 3rd tractor from Bergen and the David Brown restoration has made some progress in that it is now half painted! Too much to do, but that's the way I like it. Mari, on the other hand, has simply given up!!<br />
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Life is hectic but we still like to find time for visitors. So, if any of you want to come over then give us a shout!<br />
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Wishing you all a very merry christmas and all the best for 2013<br />
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Love Andy, Mari, Une and Liam.<br />
Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-63401403214694002072012-11-11T20:21:00.000+01:002012-11-11T20:21:18.223+01:00Kris Kindle 2012<br />
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It's that time of year again and time for the blogs annual spate of activity. Other social media (you'll find me on Facebook) and a lack of time have taken over for the time being but the Kris Kinlde tradition continues.<br />
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So, we haven't had our letters yet, but that doesn't stop us from posting. Kid sister requested this blog post and said that she is hoping for one of her cycling freak brothers to buy for her..... Hmm, what does she want then.<br />
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In other news, can parents please post what their kids want quite soon. Request from Mrs VL which I am sure is appreciated by all.<br />
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Now, remember that we like witty and cryptic posts....<br />
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Get posting.<br />
Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-68632817901435481792011-12-22T19:35:00.007+01:002011-12-23T07:10:41.589+01:00Chirstmas Message 2011Firstly, apologies for the minimal amount of hand writing on the vast majority of Christmas cards we sent. Right now, things are either done efficiently or not done at all!<br /><br />Another year has almost past. It's been a good year for us all in all. We have a larger family, an ever increasing and over-ambitious project list and ever decreasing time.<br /><br />The major news this year was the birth of Liam Philip on the 6th of August, 6 days early but weighing a good 3.72Kg. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6inV7foefe0_B9ILtbe4VgEqs9MtOTcq1wdIeyhORk3p_9kPe-G45EfXUezwprv03aAplcJlfS4XaV92DZcwJF3E4G5qM9voy_fEASDUgiv1aLJqwc23crQU2Yt7X6HWGuUPhKA/s1600/IMG_6765.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6inV7foefe0_B9ILtbe4VgEqs9MtOTcq1wdIeyhORk3p_9kPe-G45EfXUezwprv03aAplcJlfS4XaV92DZcwJF3E4G5qM9voy_fEASDUgiv1aLJqwc23crQU2Yt7X6HWGuUPhKA/s320/IMG_6765.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689024318381267938" /></a><br /><br />As I write this Liam is somewhat "chunky" and full of life. Une is a really proud and loving big brother. Mari is somewhat jealous because all of Une's cuddles now go to Liam.<br /><br />Une, now 3 1/2 is still enjoying barnehage (kindergarden) and developing in all the ways young boys do. We both really enjoy spending time with him. Daddy and Une even sit down for a game of chess now and again when they are not building Brio railway or Duplo.<br /><br />We've had lots of visitors this year and are looking forward more in during Christmas and New year. Here's a picture taken during Une's godparents John and Jean's yearly visit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U_EvbthAFYgfDFVu-3fKtxQTzxt4rivYsCO6TfcbTUyemsZbvpyrb7iku760a1-TULV7gip7spCStUxThQk6d0n1MIWyxnY0edz9dqjt3wPh5RNE9MG9FPrVoZemgl87aVbQeg/s1600/CIMG3495.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U_EvbthAFYgfDFVu-3fKtxQTzxt4rivYsCO6TfcbTUyemsZbvpyrb7iku760a1-TULV7gip7spCStUxThQk6d0n1MIWyxnY0edz9dqjt3wPh5RNE9MG9FPrVoZemgl87aVbQeg/s320/CIMG3495.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689033696729728898" /></a><br /><br />The major project this year has been a new bedroom for Une. We decided that the largest bedroom in the house (formally know as the games room) was way too big to house a three year old so we have split it in 2. This, needless to say was not simply a case of building a new internal wall. We had to move the fuse box, close up one window, open up 2 others, install new ceiling joists and much more. The final result is fantastic and even though the other half of the room, the hall way and the loft are not finished we can already see how it will change the house for the better.<br /><br />Mari, who is trying desperately to work on her PhD despite being on parental leave, finished her Masters in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public health early in the year recieving a distinction. She enjoyed the University of London's graduation ceremony in March and was one of a handful of overseas students to recieved an audience with Princess Anne.<br /><br />I am still enjoying working at Flowtite. I have not had any long overseas trips this year, but have had quite a few short trips to Germany, Spain, Austria, Poland and Turkey. I have also been doing more mounting biking and cycled 3 races this year. Uncle Stephen (my younger brother) even flew over to join me for one of them, the 54km Sandefjordrittet, having the cheek to beat my 2hrs 36mins by 1 1/2 minutes. I find this a really enjoyable way to stay fit and in 2012 I plan to do the 93km long "Birkebeinerittet". This is Norways most famous mountain bike race with around 20,000 cylist taking part. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYVo2RAEnOEDelQxwFXVrUSmTnPzrUil7mLdpmVBdEegsR54eCkkLZiEm9onvFH0q6q4ft7n0LvWQKUjmc8-LcZS8Drk31tAfAvVsX2bmB66XMF5_Nlo8wjB1IS6jMLdPwPIB9A/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYVo2RAEnOEDelQxwFXVrUSmTnPzrUil7mLdpmVBdEegsR54eCkkLZiEm9onvFH0q6q4ft7n0LvWQKUjmc8-LcZS8Drk31tAfAvVsX2bmB66XMF5_Nlo8wjB1IS6jMLdPwPIB9A/s320/IMG_1021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689035307325641954" /></a><br /><br />Mari will go back to work in February when we will begin 50/50 parental leave. We will continue this until the end of the summer when Liam should be guaranteed a Kindergarden place, hopefully in the same kindergarden as Une.<br /><br />Peggy is getting older as are our 4 bengals but they are all well. They keep us on our toes and provide plenty of entertainment for both the boys.<br /><br />We wish a very Merry Christmas to all our friends and family and a Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous 2012!<br /><br />Love<br />Andy, Mari, Une and Liam.Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-80052126749845454782011-11-21T20:44:00.002+01:002011-11-21T20:51:02.753+01:00Kris kindle 2011I have demands for this on all sorts of social media and even on the good old dog and bone so here it is.<br /><br />Back to singles this year and our letters have been recieved. So everyone knows who they are buying for but no one knows who is buying for themas per tradition. Hence the requirement for this blog post.<br /><br />Get advertising everyone. As ever hilarity and cripticness is always appreciated.Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-54751090419777405432011-04-24T11:06:00.003+02:002011-04-24T13:18:57.710+02:00One room becomes two #1<p>Since there is another on the way......... and that first born son is getting a little big for his 2mx2m box room it was finally time to get on with preparing his new room.</p><p>The plan is that the room formally known as "The Games Room" which in reality has been a store for all the toys I never get to play with will be spilt into 2 rooms. Being on the large side, it has also functioned as a domitory during family visits. It has also been deemed too big to be a single childs room. Splitting it in two will make 2 good size rooms, one for FBS and one as a guest room until it is required by no.2 in a few years time.</p><p>The first consideration when making a new room is that it will need a new door. Naturally where we are going to put the door something was in the way... Nothing other than the fuse box and all the cables going up and down the centre of the house. Here veiwed from the back after removal of panelling and planks.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfIrwWJcaiQP7beSbnlTEsIpL1ABlqocklrhIjvUbQkzDeQjAVEVwaZ8xqeRgZczobONZ2bdvgCcHNV9vnc17AXbsXTVGcdRzfv5bJAQU3BNi5FxyY71-MVWx279M7QkCPk7atg/s1600/CIMG1605.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfIrwWJcaiQP7beSbnlTEsIpL1ABlqocklrhIjvUbQkzDeQjAVEVwaZ8xqeRgZczobONZ2bdvgCcHNV9vnc17AXbsXTVGcdRzfv5bJAQU3BNi5FxyY71-MVWx279M7QkCPk7atg/s320/CIMG1605.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599075407505986450" border="0" /></a><p>After a Sunday without electricity and a very rare take out pizza for dinner it was moved to a temprorary location.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtNkaWxUdVmT6qnNJXvpbtP2kCbnpSijDoP1wOIr2eqae9MwsRP6GXXuDjWjJuCiX_EVsg2EKNCFifZAJ9jMoNsNFpul0p8_calwQb35whquChV-ezFO-BcXzXcuwbRtTzSsN5A/s1600/CIMG1625.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtNkaWxUdVmT6qnNJXvpbtP2kCbnpSijDoP1wOIr2eqae9MwsRP6GXXuDjWjJuCiX_EVsg2EKNCFifZAJ9jMoNsNFpul0p8_calwQb35whquChV-ezFO-BcXzXcuwbRtTzSsN5A/s320/CIMG1625.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599075410579366546" border="0" /></a><p>In the end there will be a new cable run from loft to basement on the left hand side of the new door and a new fuse box in the basement. Just as well, as it's now been decided that there will be another door, exactly where ther fuse box is in it's new temporary position.</p>Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14332432.post-18144070457421672342010-12-23T10:57:00.004+01:002010-12-23T11:22:11.008+01:00Christmas Message 2010Another year has gone by and it feels as if my feet have hardly touched the ground....<br /><br />So, at the end of 2010, what's happened this year? Not that much of note really. The most significant is that Mari finished her Masters in Veterinary Epidemiolgy and Public Health. This is dependant on the results of the final 2 exams that she took in the Autumn, but given her track record there is no reason to think that she hasn't passed them.<br /><br />So, that just leaves her to Focus on her PhD which is intensifying, with an expectation of her first publication early in the new year.<br /><br />My work is much the same, still enjoyable and challenging and not too much travel this year, the most notable being a couple of weeks in Meddelin, Columbia in January.<br /><br />Une is growing and developing at a rate of knots. Talking and asking questions all the time. He is fully fluent in Norwegian and understands everything I say in English. His English vocabulary is also very good, but there is naturally still a tendancy for him to mix in Norwegian when he speaks in English. We are still very happy with his kindergarden, which he attends full time. He also loves it and is part of a good gang of 2 year olds. We have been very lucky to end up in this Kindergarden.<br /><br />We had a great summer holiday with a visit to the Goodwood Festival of Speed (something that Une still talks about frequently), a week with family in a holiday home in Dingle and a week with Grandma, Grand dad, Aunty, Uncle and cousins in Cork.<br /><br />My free time during the summe mostly dissapearred 5 metres up under the barn roof. A heavy winter left us with 3 broken roof trusses so major sugery was required. Due to this pretty much every other planned project went out the window!!<br /><br />Mari hasn't had the chance to proof read this before publishing so I've probably forgotten something...... I at least will not forget to<br /><br />Wish you all a merry Christmas, and all the best for 2011.<br /><br />Regards to all<br />Andy , Mari and Une.Viking Longshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14833422937196143717noreply@blogger.com3