OK OK ... reasons ... not excuses

Ok,

Well we havent posted for some time and certainly havent posted any pics lately. Reasons ... well basically just because we have been slack! Yes we have been very busy with house renovations getting our spare room replastered, building a new deck, doing new batches of home brew, etc etc, but basically we have just been too slack to sit down in front of the computer and write a blog update. So here goes in pictures and words.

Firstly - Stavanger European Capital of Culture:



















Only in Norway would there be a float of little children dressed up in the State owned oil company's clothing on an oil rig on wheels!













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We have pretty big prawns in Stavanger. They are actually tiny. Not so sure what this parade is about ....



















As evidenced by this thing????



















They did put on a pretty cool fireworks display. We went with our good friends Mari and Kev.


























Also it has been snowing a bit in Stavanger over the past month. Quite late seasonal snow. This was just a light fall but we had a good dump the other day. I cycled to work through the snow a couple of mornings which put a big smile on my face. Its just so very cool doing that - not something that happens in oz. It was minus 9 and cycling through snow - i was happy.



















Coobs loves the snow. And you can see behind us that there is a temporary sign that the families put out ont he road between two big grassy slopes just behind our house. This is where the kids go nuts on their sledges and have a ball. It is very cool to see.
























I also went on a teambuilding (yes another one) to Sauda. We caught a chartered ferry through the fjords and had to break through the ice at the end of the fjord to get there. This w




















Usual team building activities. Thor-Erik from work took over the bar at the hotel and gave us some Gammel-Dansk (Old Danish). A drink not to be messed with.



















Anyway we went skiing the next day ... and yes that is powder snow all over me from many still drunken falls. Pretty awesome conditions though. About 2 foot of light powder snow. I had never skied in snow like that before and it was practically a different sport and so much fun. We were required to wear helmets as part of the "safety" thing at work - which was just as well as we were all still VERY under the influence.






















We also got some other skiing trips in to Sirdal a few times. Here I am with Regina anUlf.



















And with the lovely Emma as I threaten to push her off the cliff.



















Also had Australia day triple J hottest 100 in there somewhere as well.



















Cooba enjoying the Norwegian beer we all despise!

















Even Cooba gets hangovers from the Norwegian beer!


















Me disguised under all old plastic, pulled off walls, insulation, facemask, and headtorch. This is the new renovation. What do you think?

























Its always nice to admire your handiwork as you progress.
























Getting there.



















Also spent easter getting our deck on its way.



















Getting there. Despite the sun, it was about 0 degrees whilst doing all of this. Not the most ideal outdoor conditions.



















Still ... not cold enough not to have the first beer on the uncompleted deck.

The spare bedroom is all done now, as is the deck, so we'll post some pics of that soon.

Emma's 30th birthday comes up soon (12th April) so don't forget to send your wishes and thoughts. Her mobile number to text is +4790964837

I promise we will update again soon.

Mvh,
Joel