And here it is, the blog entry you've all been waiting for! Our summer holiday photos. We have embedded it as a slide show, so click on the heading above to start the slideshow and enjoy!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Yesterday's highlights, St Emilion
Highlights for yesterday:
Saint Emilion, near Bordeaux. Beautiful little town.
The smell of macarons being baked, amazing.
Baguettes & croissants delivered to our door at the vineyard where we stayed overnight, mobile bakery, astounding!
Red wine in this area, spectacular. Yum.
Bumping into Bec's friend Matt in a little bar. What are the chances?
Saint Emilion, near Bordeaux. Beautiful little town.
The smell of macarons being baked, amazing.
Baguettes & croissants delivered to our door at the vineyard where we stayed overnight, mobile bakery, astounding!
Red wine in this area, spectacular. Yum.
Bumping into Bec's friend Matt in a little bar. What are the chances?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Saint Emilion
Hi again. We are currently in the Bordeaux region in France staying at a romantic little village called St Emilion.
We stayed in Royan until late this evening. I had a lovely cycle this morning through amazing country along the coast and past fields full of blooming sunflowers. When I had a tail wind I actually convinced myself I was in a breakaway in the tour. Then Emma and I went for another cycle along the coast stopping at a lovley outdoor restaurant for lunch. After that we hit the beach which was very relaxing and enjoyable.
Sadly we left Royan and made our way to Bordeaux and are staying amongst cab sav vineyards in an amazing setting with a lovely sunset.
Tomorrow we plan to do a cycling vineyard tour/crawl tasting hopefully many fine drops. Then ... who knows??? Maybe stay here for a couple of days then head to the south atlantic coast to either Biarritz or St Jean de Luz.
Anyway, more adventures beckon tomorrow and beyond. To borrow and bastardise a saying from Mr Sitch and Gleisner ... "There's always a vineyard somewhere."
Go Cadel!!!! Keep your eyes on SBS because he is going to win the tour!
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Update from France!
I am going to send some very brief updates from my pda with the basics of what we are doing. Pls excuse the bad spelling & abbreviations! We'll then use this as a reminder later to do the full update with pics and all. We made our way from Frankfurt across to France. On the way stopped in Kaiser Slautern, great festivel in full swing! Arrived in Epernay in the champagne region. Weather was 20 but very wet. We arrived at Moet & Chandon for a tour looking like drowned rats!
Then drove to Villers Bretteneaux (sp!) and visited the australian war memorial. Next to the Loire valley. Lots of wine tasting, good food, divine little towns to drive & cycle through. Saw famous chateau Chenenceau.
Today we dropped in on Le Tour, rarely have I seen Joel so excited,like a little kid! Saw them all wizz past, tres cool. Will catch them again on the Alps. Now on way to Royan, a costal town recommended by Sam. Next is bordeaux. Our motorhome is awesome, v comfy and well kitted out. Stayed last night on a property with a chateau surrounded by vines on 3 sides. Amazing. More updates soon. Ryan how's coobs?
Emma.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Summer (sort of) in Stavanger
In 4 days time, Emma and I leave for Frankfurt, Germany to commence our month long degustation, cycling, relaxing, and exploring tour of France (and surrounds).
We pick up our bobil in Frankfurt and cruise roughly around in an anticlockwise direction around France. Coincidentally, the 2008 Tour de France route also takes in an anticlockwise direction (I am not sure if Emma is aware of this). So it should be a very enjoyable month of travelling.
Our first stop will be Epernay in the Central North East of France which is the home of Champagne (well it is Champagne actually) and home to Moet and Chandon. It should be a good start to our tour. We probably won't get a chance to update along the way but we promise to provide a good blog when we are back.
In the meantime however, here is a glimpse of our last couple of weeks in Stavanger.
We (well Emma mostly bless her - I was out riding) finally got around to painting the wall between our place and next doors.
We went to the volleyball the other night after work with some good freinds. Stavanger has a round of the world cup beach volleyball each year (we went last year also and we posted some pics back then). We went along which was enjoyable as always, and then went across the harbour to a lovely outdoor bar and had some fresh prawns in a bucket washed down with more than a few beers. We then caught up with some other friends later in the evening at the lønningspils (pay check beers) evening at a local bar. Lovely evening.
Here is me - we had OK seats this year, but we also had a great view of the harbour where there were 2 big cruise liners in. I got to watch them both leave also. Tough life!
After the prawns on Friday night, we went for a shop to this amazing gourmet food supermarket. Got fresh prawns, fresh baguettes, chorizo sausage, mozarella, salmon, dips, cheeses and quiceish paste and washed it down in the sun with a bottle of our favourite Cloudy Bay.
It was just like training for what will come in France.
The lovely spread.
The lovely company.
Cooby also got a taste for the good life and Stavangerske prawns
We pick up our bobil in Frankfurt and cruise roughly around in an anticlockwise direction around France. Coincidentally, the 2008 Tour de France route also takes in an anticlockwise direction (I am not sure if Emma is aware of this). So it should be a very enjoyable month of travelling.
Our first stop will be Epernay in the Central North East of France which is the home of Champagne (well it is Champagne actually) and home to Moet and Chandon. It should be a good start to our tour. We probably won't get a chance to update along the way but we promise to provide a good blog when we are back.
In the meantime however, here is a glimpse of our last couple of weeks in Stavanger.
We (well Emma mostly bless her - I was out riding) finally got around to painting the wall between our place and next doors.
We went to the volleyball the other night after work with some good freinds. Stavanger has a round of the world cup beach volleyball each year (we went last year also and we posted some pics back then). We went along which was enjoyable as always, and then went across the harbour to a lovely outdoor bar and had some fresh prawns in a bucket washed down with more than a few beers. We then caught up with some other friends later in the evening at the lønningspils (pay check beers) evening at a local bar. Lovely evening.
Here is me - we had OK seats this year, but we also had a great view of the harbour where there were 2 big cruise liners in. I got to watch them both leave also. Tough life!
After the prawns on Friday night, we went for a shop to this amazing gourmet food supermarket. Got fresh prawns, fresh baguettes, chorizo sausage, mozarella, salmon, dips, cheeses and quiceish paste and washed it down in the sun with a bottle of our favourite Cloudy Bay.
It was just like training for what will come in France.
The lovely spread.
The lovely company.
Cooby also got a taste for the good life and Stavangerske prawns
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Warm up race for Le Tour de France
Joel competed on Saturday in the Nordsjørittet (North Sea Race). Having opted to drink beer in Belgium (refer previous post) rather than participate in a seeding race a few weeks earlier, he was in the general group 6, rather than the serious riders that left in the first groups. Our friend Justin (he and his wife Nat are the proud parents of Cooba’s sister Brandy) was visiting for the weekend, so we drove down to Egersund, about an hour’s drive south of Stavanger, to see him off. The race is about 90km along a coastal trail combining road and off-road tracks, and is very picturesque winding its way along the south west coast of Norway – a very nice part of the world.
Joel completed the course in 2hr:51min which was a fantastic time, and won his group after strong competition with 2 other riders to the finish. Joel managed to burn them off riding up the last hill – anyone that knows Joel on a bike knows how much he loves the hills – nuts if you ask me. The overall winner completed the race in about 2:25. Joel's time should see him seeded in the elite group for next year’s race. Of course having borrowed a bike from a mate (thanks Al!), because none of his 3 bikes were suitable, I am now being targeted with a very focussed campaign aimed at buying him a new bike. At AUD$5-6K I’m not exactly rushing out to the bike shop, but that does not seem to dampen Joel’s enthusiastic campaigning!
We are now getting ready for our holiday, lists galore of things to take. I hate to think how much our luggage will weigh! After a beautiful 6 weeks or so of sunshine and true summer weather during late April and May, unfortunately it did not last. We have been back to mid-teen temperatures and quite a bit of rain over the last few weeks. Joel and I refuse to believe that was The Summer, and now it is over, and are crossing our fingers for some warm days during August and maybe even September. The warm stretch broke records in Norway, but for us it was just a short taste of what we hoped was a ‘real’ summer. After last years dismal imitation of a summer we (perhaps undeservedly) felt like we were owed a good one! Time will tell.
Cheers to all,
Emma
Joel completed the course in 2hr:51min which was a fantastic time, and won his group after strong competition with 2 other riders to the finish. Joel managed to burn them off riding up the last hill – anyone that knows Joel on a bike knows how much he loves the hills – nuts if you ask me. The overall winner completed the race in about 2:25. Joel's time should see him seeded in the elite group for next year’s race. Of course having borrowed a bike from a mate (thanks Al!), because none of his 3 bikes were suitable, I am now being targeted with a very focussed campaign aimed at buying him a new bike. At AUD$5-6K I’m not exactly rushing out to the bike shop, but that does not seem to dampen Joel’s enthusiastic campaigning!
We are now getting ready for our holiday, lists galore of things to take. I hate to think how much our luggage will weigh! After a beautiful 6 weeks or so of sunshine and true summer weather during late April and May, unfortunately it did not last. We have been back to mid-teen temperatures and quite a bit of rain over the last few weeks. Joel and I refuse to believe that was The Summer, and now it is over, and are crossing our fingers for some warm days during August and maybe even September. The warm stretch broke records in Norway, but for us it was just a short taste of what we hoped was a ‘real’ summer. After last years dismal imitation of a summer we (perhaps undeservedly) felt like we were owed a good one! Time will tell.
Cheers to all,
Emma
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Enough of the ring already!
Anyone would think by the lack of updates on this blog lately we have been doing nothing but swan around in loved-up post-engagement ectasy.
Well ... we have been doing that, but we also have been a little busy.
Here is a photo slideshow of some of the things we have been up to. You have to click on the photo below first and then click on slideshow to start. Happy viewing!
Joel and Emma
Well ... we have been doing that, but we also have been a little busy.
Here is a photo slideshow of some of the things we have been up to. You have to click on the photo below first and then click on slideshow to start. Happy viewing!
 |
| Blog update May 08 |
Joel and Emma
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Ring
I was surprised by a phone call yesterday afternoon from our jeweller saying that my ring was ready to collect, a day early! Joel had a colleague visiting from Aberdeen and insisted we go and meet him for a beer downtown by the harbour before going to the jeweller. I think he just enjoyed watching me squirm!
Finally we headed to the jeweller and collected my beautiful ring. It fits perfectly, nice and snug without being too tight or too loose. I personally think it is the most beautiful engagement ring in the world, but of course I am 100% biased. But you can make up your own mind....
Finally we headed to the jeweller and collected my beautiful ring. It fits perfectly, nice and snug without being too tight or too loose. I personally think it is the most beautiful engagement ring in the world, but of course I am 100% biased. But you can make up your own mind....
Emma.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Being Engaged
One of the best, most fun and amazing things about being engaged is that virtually everybody in our lives, from our nearest and dearest to those we might not have seen or spoken to in years, have contacted us to offer their congratulations. It is truly astounding and fantastic. I’m actually addicted to the messages and find myself checking my email, facebook and our blog each morning with so much excitement and anticipation to get my ‘hit’! I think this has really helped make me feel very connected to friends and family back home, as in an ideal world we would be hanging out and clinking the champagne glasses right about now (having imported all our Norwegian friends to Melbourne of course! I did say it was an ‘ideal’ world!). Fortunately we did plenty of that on Saturday night with all our Norwegian friends, and will continue to do so over the coming days/weeks.
I think now the adrenaline and ‘spaced out’ feeling has now dissipated, but what remains is a very content and happy feeling. As much as I’ve always thought and felt that Joel and I would always be together, I look at him with a different feeling now – this man will be my husband! That takes a little getting used to, even after 4 years, a home we own together, shared bank accounts and our little guy Cooba, who will soon no longer be the ‘illegitimate child’ - kinda!
We’ve been thinking and talking about how/when/where we might get married, but have decided that at least for the next few weeks we’re going to put those thoughts to the side and just enjoy being engaged and celebrating that. Suffice to say one decision that we have made is that we will get married in or near Melbourne, so rest easy - you don’t need to buy the thermal underwear for a trip to
Thank you all so much for helping us celebrate and making this such an amazing experience. I would love to rewind to Saturday and do it all again, it has been so much fun. So thank you thank you thank you!!
Emma
PS. Picking up the ring on Tuesday, can’t wait!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Just another day in the office....!
UPDATE: HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS FROM THE PARTY.
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SEE THEM:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75163841@N00/sets/72157604536426740/show/
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What an amazing amazing last 24 hours it has been! Actually yesterday was the best day of my life.
I set out for the evening to celebrate my 30th birthday for a low-key drinks and dinner with Joel, only 3 hours later to find myself somehow in the middle of a huge party at my house with 30 or so of my friends all dressed up in crazy 70’s outfits, and most amazingly of all, having just accepted the marriage proposal, delivered on bended knee and accompanied by a stunning diamond, from the love of my life!
What a day. I am absolutely exhausted, thrilled, excited and very emotional. But I am just so so so happy. I can’t get the grin off my face!
The party was absolutely sensational, Joel with the help of some of beautiful, generous wonderful friends planned it all as a surprise! The house was decorated brilliantly, the food was amazing, they just thought of everything. Sally and Sam arranged a video compiled of loads of photos and video messages from home which was beamed up on a projector for everyone to see. I was just amazed and of course cried my eyes out from start to finish. What wonderful friends and family I have.
And my Joel, well what can I say. He planned the whole day, and just made everything perfect and special. I think I am still in shock that he actually did it!
We have loved sharing the news with as many friends and family as we have been able to contact, and I’m sure will continue to talk to you all over the coming days and weeks.
We will upload some photos from the party as soon as we can find the camera...!
To everyone who played a part in the best day of my life, THANK YOU. I just can’t thank you enough. And to my fiancé Joel, I love you so much and can’t wait to marry you!
Emma.
PS. I know that the girls will want to see pictures (in fact have already been asking), so here they are. We will take the diamond in to the store tomorrow to pick out a setting for it. In the meantime, I am wearing a mood ring (which changes colour with my moods) that Joel purchased from the toy store for about $3 which is just as precious to me! He says he should have done it ages ago as now he has a 'mood chart' and at a glance can tell exactly how I am feeling. Genuis!
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SEE THEM:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75163841@N00/sets/72157604536426740/show/
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What an amazing amazing last 24 hours it has been! Actually yesterday was the best day of my life.
I set out for the evening to celebrate my 30th birthday for a low-key drinks and dinner with Joel, only 3 hours later to find myself somehow in the middle of a huge party at my house with 30 or so of my friends all dressed up in crazy 70’s outfits, and most amazingly of all, having just accepted the marriage proposal, delivered on bended knee and accompanied by a stunning diamond, from the love of my life!
What a day. I am absolutely exhausted, thrilled, excited and very emotional. But I am just so so so happy. I can’t get the grin off my face!
The party was absolutely sensational, Joel with the help of some of beautiful, generous wonderful friends planned it all as a surprise! The house was decorated brilliantly, the food was amazing, they just thought of everything. Sally and Sam arranged a video compiled of loads of photos and video messages from home which was beamed up on a projector for everyone to see. I was just amazed and of course cried my eyes out from start to finish. What wonderful friends and family I have.
And my Joel, well what can I say. He planned the whole day, and just made everything perfect and special. I think I am still in shock that he actually did it!
We have loved sharing the news with as many friends and family as we have been able to contact, and I’m sure will continue to talk to you all over the coming days and weeks.
We will upload some photos from the party as soon as we can find the camera...!
To everyone who played a part in the best day of my life, THANK YOU. I just can’t thank you enough. And to my fiancé Joel, I love you so much and can’t wait to marry you!
Emma.
PS. I know that the girls will want to see pictures (in fact have already been asking), so here they are. We will take the diamond in to the store tomorrow to pick out a setting for it. In the meantime, I am wearing a mood ring (which changes colour with my moods) that Joel purchased from the toy store for about $3 which is just as precious to me! He says he should have done it ages ago as now he has a 'mood chart' and at a glance can tell exactly how I am feeling. Genuis!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
2 Problems:
(1) We need sun to enjoy our new deck and
(2) The spare room which we never use is now the best room in the house!
Ok - as per Ryan's suggestion, here are some before and afters.
As we never thought the spare room was worthy of a photo, this is about as "before" as you will see. Shows much the same entrance pic as below.
Now with lovely "eggshell white" walls, downlights, etc etc.
From this ...
to this ...
to this ...
to this.
And some more pics of the finished room.
Bedding for all. Come on over.
Now for outside.
Before the fence(s).
With new deck in place.
From this ...
to this ...
Cooby seems to like it.
From this ...
to this ...
to this.
Just got to put on the edging around the deck and all will be done. Just gotta wait for that warm weather to enjoy it. It is nice and sunny today ... the 2 degree temperature just puts you off a little bit.
(2) The spare room which we never use is now the best room in the house!
Ok - as per Ryan's suggestion, here are some before and afters.
As we never thought the spare room was worthy of a photo, this is about as "before" as you will see. Shows much the same entrance pic as below.
Now with lovely "eggshell white" walls, downlights, etc etc.
From this ...
to this ...
to this ...
to this.
And some more pics of the finished room.
Bedding for all. Come on over.
Now for outside.
Before the fence(s).
With new deck in place.
From this ...
to this ...
Cooby seems to like it.
From this ...
to this ...
to this.
Just got to put on the edging around the deck and all will be done. Just gotta wait for that warm weather to enjoy it. It is nice and sunny today ... the 2 degree temperature just puts you off a little bit.
Monday, March 24, 2008
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!
'
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
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!
'
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
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