Merry Christmas Everybody

Vroom´s Expectancy Theory

The big exam day is over for me and was great to have the fun of that challenge.

Mind you, I am not the only one with end of exam joy. Bekka finished her exams today and she had many more than her ole Dad. Congrats to High School girl and aspiring Postie.

The Magnificent Performing Lynches

Eric was playing drums in his end of term concert with the school band. Eric had practised so hard and I think our main man will admit to a few pre-performanace butterflies. It´s not easy being the drummer in the band, they have such an important role keeping the beat, everyone hears them and there is only one!!

There can be no hiding -) But Eric did really well and gave a good performance. I enjoyed listening to the band, and then there was a nice coffee and cake afterwards. Nice one!

Then it was Sandra´s turn to sing in the School Choir at the Cathedral in the centre of Reykjavik. There was lots of preparation. The kids learnt the words off by heart and everyone dressed up. They were lovely Christmas Carols and got everyone in the Christmas mood.

Afterwards, we went to celebrate by having lunch at a nice Italian café. Nice one!

Blog catch : from the journey : on the way

Ouch! its early, and windy and snowing and cold brrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Rebekka agrees and is a alittle bit awake. We hope our luggage gets to go where it should. HKG or AKL or is it the other way around ; we are worried.
We managed to get to London okay. Hurrayyyyy!
And guess who we meet on the train into London….. Roland H. We went to have a very pleasant lunch and a decent glass of red wine together at the Frontline. London was warm and sunny. Took a taxi around Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace to show Rebekka the sights and then into the National Gallary to see the Veslasque exhibition.We walked Picadilly in the evening looking into Fortnum and Masons and the Ritz.

The flight was fine with plenty for share seats so that we could spread out. Still totally dazed as we transited through HK. Great airport though, and Rebekka bought a new phone, very funky.

In Hong Kong, Bekka amazed at all the expensive shops; able to confirm to the “girl posse” back home that there is civilised shopping south the equator. (Who knows what Auckland will be like though.)

Last hour of the flight and we are getting quite disoriented. We have managed to watch all the inflight entertainment, congrats to us! John Tucker must die, The Little Mermaid and lots of C.S.I. So now Rebekka is blasting J.T.and Dad is doing paperwork. We can’t wait to take a shower and eat real food but otherwise this trip has been quite uneventful; a very good thing.

Stella´s Birthday and good meal at Brachu.

Thistle smiting and other country pursuits

Got Fruit ?

On arriving in New Zealand officials in green hiking gear will salute travellers.

“Got Fruit?” They say.

Sometimes the Fruit dogs will sniff you…

… just to be sure.

Back in Iceland

There has been some snow since I have been away and so it seems that a "proper" winter and a white Christmas is in the pipeline, which of course makes us all very excited..... because that means sledging.... yippppppheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, (bump).

Eirik has been doing acting school all autumn and having a great time with it. At the weekend I was able to go with Sandra to the first performance of their play, "The audition". Eirik plays the part of Sammi and sings the last song in the show. He was great and so confident on stage. He is a star in the making and that is without a doubt.

It was also the end of term party for the English School. Sandra and I went to see all of their work up on the walls and to talk with the teachers. It was a nice get together.

The kids cooked supper !!!!! VERY DELICIOUS. GO KIDS, "kids can cook"... look out Jamie Oliver.

Amma Sandy

Amma Sandy's grave.

She had wanted a jazz band, champagne and smoked salmon.

Some words from Tara

My thoughts and prayers are with you at his time.

Auntie Sandie was a wonderful ,vibrant lady with a kind heart and a fantastic humour. my memories of her are very special.

" For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son,that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16Almighty Father, We commend to your care , our beloved Sandra. Grant her a share in your eternal kingdom. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
May the Holy Spirit comfort,strenghten and sustain Tony,David and Kieron.
Please grant them peace and knowledge of your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

God Bless

Some words from Julia

To all of Sandra’s dear friends & family, I am Sandra’s sister, Julia, and would like to tell you how remarkable and unforgettable she was to me. Where have our lives gone! It has traveled in many different directions from one side of the world to the other. Even when we were small, for one reason or another, each time we were separated we always managed to overcome adversity. Amongst all the happy and sad times our love always held strong. She not only was my sister, she was a dear friend and more like a mother to me. Sandy & I were alike in so many ways. For instance, one weekend prior to visiting her in Manchester, I went shopping and purchased 3 dresses. When I arrived wearing one of the dresses, she began to laugh hysterically and proceeded to show me the EXACT same 3 dresses that I had purchased. We both looked at each other in amazement and laughed for hours of how we could have bought the same dresses. Sandra bestowed much wisdom- she had class, loyalty, integrity and most of all a passion for life. She had a drive for perfection in every respect with her business, her family and her home. All of you here today, know very well what an extravagant dinner party she could give, from the food to the presentation. What an art she had to arrange such an exquisite setting, even after a few bottles of her favorite wine!A time I will never forget is when I had been in the states for some time and I made my first trip home, Tony and Sandy put on this fantastic ensemble. They had tents in the garden, a magnificent band and food for a queen and of course it lasted all weekend. Sandra wouldn’t have had it any other way! She always welcomed people with open arms and everything done to the hilt. Her love for the outdoors and especially her beautiful garden, her daily walks and love for yoga were all part of her daily life. But the most important part of her life were her children (David & Kieron) and all their outstanding accomplishments. She was so proud of both of you! Not to mention her grandchildren whom she loved so much. I will miss her phone calls in the middle of the night-when she would say, “Ju-It’s Sandy, Did I wake you? I can never get the damn time right!” We would both just laugh and I would say, “I’ve only been here 40 yrs!” and she would reply “Oh Well, Is it your day off? I will miss her dearly & have decided that God needs her to redesign his garden and it’s going to take awhile. We know that you love us dearly and to not shed a tear because you are spending Christmas with Jesus this year!

Sandy's Life Story

Sandy Ann Lynch was born 29 August, 1935 in Morcombe, Lancashire, to Reginald Law Greenhalgh, vetinary surgeon, and Margery Guinan. Reginald was of an established Lancashire family; farmers who became mill owners. Margery was one of seven siblings from a Liverpool family who were prosperous beer and wine shippers. The family business supplied the passenger boats going out of Liverpool, and it may well be that their supplies refreshed many a hopeful soul on their way to the "New countries".

Sandra was the oldest of three sisters, Julia and Angela.

The three girls attended Birkdale convent in Southport, Lancashire. Margery always wanted Sandra to go to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Sandra took dancing classes and drama from an early age, becoming something of a little star. She was in Ralph Readers Gang-show when it was in Blackpool!


Her mother, Margery, died when Sandy was 16. Sandy came home to nurse her mother before she died and looked after her younger sisters.

Sandy finished her “A” levels and decided, however, that she wanted to get into personnel management: finding employment with Marks and Spenser’s Department Stores in 1955. Sandy had become the leading light in the young peoples’ organisations of her time, these being the Young Conservatives and the Young Farmers Club.

Sandra was posted to Wigan in 1956, where she met another Marks and Spenser prodigy, Francis Anthony Lynch. The two had known each other from Young Farmers and Young Conservatives clubs. Their romance started on Wigan train station over a glass of Bass Carrington’s beer during their daily commute, in different directions, home to Manchester and Liverpool.

Sandy soon moved into Wigan and lived, unconventionally, in a caravan in an orchard. She moved around the country, also with caravan, in various assignments for Marks and Spencer and they both managed to stay in travelling distance of each other.

Sandy became engaged to Tony in Easter 1959 and they were married in the June of the same year. They honeymooned in Yugoslavia, an unusual choice for those days.

In 1960, they were to be found in Kingston, when their first son, David Dominic, was born. Kieron John was born 18 months later. Sandra gave up work and they moved to Manchester, and then to Lemington Spa and then to Luton. The constant travelling became less attractive.

In 1968, they decided to buy a rundown pub in a very old village opposite an old church in Ashwell, Hertfordshire. The pub was called the “Bushel and Strike”. Within 25 years they had built it into thriving business, serving good beer, exotic food and drawing customers from far and wide.

In the Bushel, Sandy ruled the kitchen, always with a "hands on" approach, and sometimes with the hands around the neck of an unfortunate sous-chef. There was a team of 8 people working in the kitchen under Sandy. She was committed to perfection and performance. In fact, Sandy used to wear a long dress to cook in with an apron over the top, so that at the end of service, she could whip off the apron and zoom out front to check on the customers.

There was blood sweat and tears, but also plenty of fun. It is impossible to forget the Christmas Carol singing and brilliant New Years Eve parties. The “Bushel”, as it was known, became the social centre of the universe.

What Sandy really loved to do was to travel, and travel she did; all over the world and particularly to countries that were off the beaten track and where the sun shone brightly. Our family photo albums bear witness to that.

In 1974, the family moved out from the Bushel and into Cheyney Water Farmhouse, a quintessential English country farmhouse. Cheyney Water’s garden transformed under Sandy’s Stewardship. The roses came out especially well. And it wasn’t long before Cheyney Waters became the social centre of the Universe, receiving long and short stay visitors from all over the world and being THE place for Dinner parties, with Sandy in the middle of it all.

In 1993 Sandy and Tony retired from the Bushel after 25 years of hard work. During their visit for Kieron and Caroline’s wedding in 1994 the idea to move to New Zealand came up. “One last great adventure” was Sandy’s phrase and the deal was sealed over a decent meal in a Queenstown restaurant. KJ and C were kept in the dark about it at the time, but they did quietly discuss with Yo Robinson, who said she could always find Sandy a job working for her.

Sandy had almost too much life force for the equal and opposite force of illness
with which she wrestled in life (High blood pressure, heart problems and minor stroke). Cancer became her companion for awhile until surgery, in 1999, separated one from the other.

The immigration processes took time and effort, but with help from family and friends the application package came together and they moved in 2001. Initially, they lived with Kieron and Caroline, and then in Clevedon in rented accommodation. It took sometime but then Priscilla Wilson Mc Gregor helped find the house which was the home of Jim and Gaylene Wilson in Ararimu.

She was never happier than here.

Sandy’s vitality took control of the scene, the garden was transformed and the social centre of the Universe shifted to 2 Sinclair Road, receiving long and short stay visitors from all over the world and becoming THE place for Yoga practice.

Here, Sandy grew a circle of friends who shared her liking for retail therapy, and from here Sandy enjoyed her grand children Rebekka Sigrun, Eirikur Anthony, Sandra Kristin and Stella Marcel.

Sandy’s life was typified by vitality and lust for life. She had a free and forward looking spirit which was tempered by a tremendous capacity for hard work, service and self depreciating humour.

Sandy died peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of November 8, 2006.

Requiem Mass for Sandra Lynch, Wednesday 15 November 2006

St Mary's Catholic Church, Papakura, New Zealand

Organist: Paul Gibbes : Singer: Damian Robertson

The Lord’s My Shepherd

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green, He leadeth me
The quiet waters by

My soul He doth restore again
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness
E’en for His own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale
Yet will I fear not ill,
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.

My table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes,
My head Thou doest with oil anoint
And my cup overflows

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me,
And in God’s house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be.


Story of Sandy’s Life - David Lynch

Proverbs 31, 10-31 “The Woman of Worth” - David Lynch

A capable wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.

She is like the ships of the merchant,
She brings her food from far away.

She rises while it is still night
And provides food for her household
And tasks for her servant-girls.

She considers a field and buys it;
With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength,
And makes her arms strong.

Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she laughs at the time to come.

She opens her hand to the poor,
And reaches out her hands to the needy.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Her children rise up and call her happy;
Her husband too, and he praises her:

“Many women have done excellently,
But you surpass them all.”


Psalm 130 - Congregation

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee,

O LordLord Hear My Voice
Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications
If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord who shall stand
But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning
I say, more than they that watch for the morning
Let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy,
And with him is plenteous redemption
And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities

Reading John 4:7-12,17 - Rebekka Lynch

Let us love one another, for love is from God: everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love, does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgement.

This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel John 14:1-6

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God and faith in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places; otherwise, how could I have told you that I was going to prepare a place for you? I am indeed going to prepare a place for you, and then I shall come back to take you with me, that where I am you also may be. You know the way that leads where I go.” “Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus told him: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.

Prayers of Intercession - Ann Benson

Loving God, we give thanks for our mother, Sandy, for the blessings in her life, for her generous love of her husband and family.

Lord hear us: Lord, graciously hear us

Dear Lord, keep close to your bosom all of the members of our extended family, those both close and far.

Lord hear us: Lord, graciously hear us

Lord, You watch over our lives. Keep us safe in our work, in our travels and help us trust in your loving providence.

Lord hear us: Lord, graciously hear us

Dear Lord. Our hearts go out to all those in this world who are less fortunate than us, to those who are scarred by disease and war. May your grace shine in the world as a sign of hope for all who struggle, and as a beacon that reminds us that, even in a broken world, change is possible.

Lord hear us: Lord, graciously hear us

Celebration of the Eucharist

Morning Has Broken - Communion Hymn

Morning has broken, like the first morning;
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning,
Praise for them springing fresh from the world.

Sweet the rain’s new fall, sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness, of the wet garden,
Sprung from completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight; mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play.
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s recreation, of the new day.


Tributes to Sandy

David Lynch, Rebekka Lynch, Kieron Lynch, Caroline Lynch

read tributes from,

Julia Cabeza and family

Angela Clay and Family

Carol Lynch

Rory, Camilla, and Paul Lynch

Tara Lynch

Jane Greenhalgh and Family

Sandra Kristin Lynch

Therese Handley

Kieron Lynch

Caroline Lynch


“Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.”


Amazing Grace

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost, but now I’m found,
Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved,
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through may danger, toils and snares
We have already come,
‘Twas grace that brought us safe thus far
And grace will lead us home.

Sandra Ann Lynch

Let her Rest in Peace, and may perpetual light shine upon her, Amen.

2 Sinclair Road
Ararimu
RD3 Drury
Auckland 2579
New Zealand

+ 64 (0) 9 292 4459

Flight plan

OUTBOUND

Thursday 9. nóvember 2006

Reykjavík, -London, Bretland - Heathrow, Terminal 1 Icelandair 450
Depart: Thu 9 Nov 2006, 09:00
Arrive: Thu 9 Nov 2006, 12:00

Heathrow (London) Terminal 1 - Hong Kong, Flight: BA0027
Depart: Thu 9 Nov 2006, 21:55
Arrive: Fri 10 Nov 2006, 17:50

Hong Kong - Auckland, Flight: BA4551
Depart: Fri 10 Nov 2006, 21:05
Arrive: Sat 11 Nov 2006, 13:05

IN BOUND

Auckland - Hong Kong, Flight: BA4550
Depart: Sun 26 Nov 2006, 14:20
Arrive: Sun 26 Nov 2006, 20:45

Hong Kong - Heathrow (London) Terminal 1, Flight: BA0032
To: Heathrow (London) Terminal 1
Depart: Sun 26 Nov 2006, 23:45
Arrive: Mon 27 Nov 2006, 05:00

London, Bretland - Heathrow, Terminal 1 - Reykjavík, Icelandair 451
Depart: Mon 27 Nov 2006, 13:00
Arrive: Mon 27 Nov 2006, 16:00

In Jerusalem, and then in Ramallah, West Bank.

After work and in the evening, I went for a walk in Ramallah town, which was coming to life after the evening prayers. There was dark and chill wind and a crescent moon in a cloudless sky.
Ramallah, unfortunately looks poor and bears the marks of the current difficult times. I got brave and went into a coffee shop, old style…. men only. There was coffee in glasses, cards, shesh-besh and arghila, the water pipes. I took a pipe and a coffee. The men were friendly and wanted to talk. A good coffee in the warm and a traditional atmosphere. I got more adventurous and I brought some bread and fruit on the way home, using the basic words that are now coming back to me.

Pizza Encore

People are happy cooking food and people are enormously happy eating it to and what a week for food. A Tuesday dinner party brought out delicious cray fish, thank you Agla and Siggi! Straight into the weekend with a high powered super rich steak and kidney, followed by a kids favourite, (as the weather cools) Shepherds pie. For the finale, an encore of individual pizza construction. Me and eirukur are experimenting with trying to “throw” the dough. Adventurous ! We like food !

Postman Pat

Postman Pat came with a good looking package and in it was super cool t-shirt from down under. It will be worn with pride ! Thanks down under dudes

Eirikurs Pizza

Here is the evidence of possibly the best and most original pizza ever created, sadly not a crumb was left! Thankfully the secret recipe lives on. Stay tuned for more pizza perfection, coming your way soon

3BT

1BT – outdoor swimming pool at 10 pm in autumn weather.
2BT – eating sausages and yorkshire pudding. The pudding was crispy and light, a first for my cooking.
3BT – wearing my new wool t-shirt from NZ.

Going to see the Queen

Helen Mirran is fantastic in the role of Queen Elizabeth II. What a marvellously sensitive and nuanced film. I connected to the Brit in me. Thank you film festival

A weekend in the Country

Yipee hiya jeeeee, off with the Food club for an overnight stay in the countryside. Super fun despite the interesting weather. Great views of Helka and Skogarfoss and NO hangover :)

Celebrating Dad’s Birthday

I was happy to be woken up by the Atlanta Air girl’s choir singing happy birthday from a car park in London. Shortly afterwards a second choir of angels bearing pressies and hot coffee zoomed into play. What a lovely start to the day!
Then we zoomed around from English school, to the acting classes for Eirik and Sandra to preparation for first Holy Communion. It was great weather and nice to hang out in the sunshine. Later on in the day I was happy to get visitors and more birthday greetings. A busy and fine day!

Celebrating Sandra’s Birthday

Sandra´s birthday began early in the morning when we all got together to wake Sandra up to the sound of a choral “Happy Birthday”. We had lots of fun. Sandra milk and cakes whilst she opend her birthday presents. Pressies that came all the way from NZ were very much appreciated. Then, everyone went to school and work. Sandra´s day at school was same as usual and in the afternoon she went swimming.
When she came home the party was ready and everybody had fun. There was pizza and cake and soda. Everybody got their face painted and there were even more presents. All together it was a superday.

Nordica Spa

I had the opportunity to use my gift card (thanks Anna) to go and enjoy an evening at the Nordic Spa. A marvelous relaxing massage and jacuzzi. Good to get the knots out of the shoulders. I was so much in the mood I had a vegetarian salad for supper!

Anna off to London trip with her "posse", bound to be a blast !!!!

Back from Oslo

Wow, great short trip to Norway. Perfect hot indian summer weather and I was lucky enough to be able to work outside all day working with the new emergency hospital kit. Also it was an opportunity to meet friends again and catch up, which is always nice.

Friday was a great evening with the Kids. We were invited to the opening of the Icelandic Scienist Exhibition. I know that it doesn’t sound very a promising title, but it was done really well for the kids. The lastest studies and experiments which Icelandic scientist have been working on made accessible for intelligent kids and slow adults (like me). And there all types of ideas from astronomy to alternative energy to GPS tags for fish to learning Pastun from a computer. Look out “Google” the Iceland programmers are after you :)
Free mini pizzas also helped stave off hunger tantrums !

Sandra has great talent as a cook and was feeding her Dad with special smiling toasted sandwiches. Obviously taking after her paternal grandmother, its in the genes. Sandra rocks.. yummy food.

The car is happier now that it has been painted. Next will be the search to good winter tires, getting them on before the frost comes.

On the way to Oslo

I had a lovely weekend with the kids. Saturday was unusally warm and still, so we decided to go walking on Esja mountain. We went to visit our favourite spot, half way up the mountain by a stream. There we sat down to eat our sandwiches and do some landscape painting. Sandra´s picture was very nice.


Anna Þruður came for a coffee visit and showed us pictures of her trip to Africa. We also popped into Nina´s going away party and meet my Project Management school friends in Café Culture.
Now I am on my way to Oslo to join in a Red Cross Emergency Response training session

Cactus

Starting school

Today I went for my first lecture in the University. Going back into the lecture hall was like stepping back in time because everybody else looked so young. I wonder how I must look to all the rest, horribly ancient I shouldn´t wonder.

In the Red Cross everybody is on 110% speed to prepare for the great bi annual fund raising event, Walking for Good, where the objective is to visit every house in Iceland and collect money for children in Africa.

Autumn in the city ; old boys football

The glorious first Monday session of the season. Eager happy faces bathed in persperation relishing the challenge of the coming season and manifold benefits of getting fit... again !
GO GUYS !!!!!

Magni, SuperNova Rockstar and the rest of Iceland

Of course we stayed up to vote for Magni, our boy on the reality TV show about Rock and Roll, just like the rest of the country! This craze is gripping and country and the conversations at lunch, coffee and supper.

A during the day, just for added entertainment I have been dealing with the results of a careless building worker, concrete and the bonnet of my car. It told three days to get the concrete splashes off and the car is highly polished. The only problem is that the acid in the concrete has burnt through the varnish. I am not sure what the next step is, but if anybody has any advice as to how to deal with this type of damage, I would be grateful.

We are enjoying an Indian summer these days. It was a perfect weekend. We were able to eat breakfast outside this morning. We spent a lot of time in the countryside by the Esja Mountain. Kids, especially Sandra, jumped and jumped and bounced on the trampoline for hours. How they get the energy I do not know, but at least they sleep well.

Eirikur is doing lots of stick carving, having collected an armful of logs in the countryside on Saturday.

Happy Birthday to you Kiwis out there !!!!

Happy Birthday to Mum and Dad. Hope you had a great time. Thinking of you as always.

Demon Garfield

The Praire Home Companion Show

Decided to take in an early movie and popped into to the The Prairie Home Companion. A charming and subtle film with some supper performances, I can say that I really enjoyed it.
It was also fun to hear my friend Joe, on Skype, try to convince me that 6 months in hte Maldives was a hardship posting. Congrates on the marriage... wish you all the best for the future.
Also heard from Irene, who is now out of Congo and on the way to a lighthouse,,, for a bit. And then on to somewhere sandy.

Huffing and Puffing

So... by now I have recovered from the run, mind you not that it was a herculean effort of marathon proportions. On Sunday we went into the countryside for B-B-Q and trampoline for the kids. It was very hot, bright sunshine and little wind. But the main event of the day was picking beks up at the airport. (Things that Dads do well.) The girls had a great time in Copenhagen and Bekka is best !!!!

School began this week and everybody is very excited. We and kids made big efforts to sort ourselves out out that we would be organised and ready to take onhte big shock of having to bounce out of bed and get moving for school. Sandra helped me at work and also made very nice ear-rings from beads and garden wire.

At the finish line

The team on task...

Reykjavik Marathon

Medal winners, smiles and sunshine ( the weather forecast was for rain!)

Still Summer

Still super sunshine days; summer is hanging on.

I have signed everybody into the Rekjavik Marathon, the kids for 3 km and me for 10 km. The races start at different times so that I should be able to do the 10 and then run again with the kids. I hope my legs hold out !!!

Yesterday we went to visit friends who have moved into a new flat in Strandvegi. It is a lovely appartment on the water, new exciting design and marvellous view over the bay on a windy night.

Holiday catch up from the summer house trip

Myself, Eirikur and Sandra spent a week in a summer house in Miðhúsakoga. It was very relaxing. Whilst it was cloudy to begin with we had two hottie days of fabulous sunny weather all day, beautiful. We went walking down by the river, and did a spell of dam building. Dad did painting. :-)

On Wednesday, we went to Gullfoss and Geysir. It was overcast and warm but with good views especially up to the glacier. Fantastic power of the water going over the fall.
In the evening, we got the B-B-Q going and grilled pork fillet for supper, which is a favourite of ourselves and turned out to be very tasty. After supper we sat drawing pictures together in the evening. The evening was rainy, pouring in fact, reminded me of Jakarta

Sailing boat party

Went to a nice gathering at the embassy for the James Cook people. Kids were happy to go an visit friends. Looking forward to going to the summer house tommorrow.
Happy to do one hour and a half on the bicycle, getting the heart to pump abit and the legs to ache.

Holiday days

Breakfast meeting with the people from the James Cook Ocean Youth Trust who are visiting Iceland with their boat.
Cloudy weather for the holidays.
Kids are happy playing cards and have learnt lots of new games.

Cycling with Bekka

It was a beautiful summers evening. Clear skies and no breeze. I went jogging out to the beach and back (in new jogging shirt). Bekka came with on the bike. Smiles and chatting.

6 km !!!!

Ruby Tuesday

Superman the movie. Superman the verdict. Great SF, brilliant photograhy, very long (almost never ending), good music and openning credits, flat story and characters.
Steini and Steinþor came along aswell, good to see them
Then to Ruby Tuesdays. A special treat to celebrate all the good things that have happened in these past two weeks. Well done us!

Movies that all children have to see before they grow-up

My Fair Lady
The King and I
Mary Poppins
Chitty-chitty Bang-bang
Singing in the Rain.
Sound of Music
Jungle Book

and there are others.

Bicycle ride with Sandra

GOAAAAAL !!!!!

Eirikur scored his first goal today! And then scored another. Awesome. Go Eirikur!!!
Many hands make light work. House Rule 5 was invoked and in 15 mins the house was set straight, neat tidy and clean. Just in time to have a nice supper, a new recipe called “Karma Chameleon Chicken”. Thanks guys!
Sandra went to the zoo today and had grilled hot-dogs. Tomorrow is swimming for her.
I have permission to say that Bekkas new hair-cut is cool. She looks really lovely.

Supernova rage

Today is another beautiful sunny day. I am in the office today, although things are very quiet as most people are away on holiday. A tremendous evening sunset, clear sky, no wind and bright orange sun setting over the glacier. Transcendental
The running is flowing well now
I am supporting Magni on Rockstar Supernova. So are the kids ! Go guy !!! I think that he made a good performance last night and deserves to continue.
Monster eirikur pulled the door handle off today. There is one strong young man. Also today is the day that Eirikur got respect on the field of play. Resp’kt

Stars Wars

The Dark Lord, Eirikur Van Vader, vanished the Jedi knight, Dad, in an epic imperial star battle. Play stations rocks, but I still can´t drive a droid battle cruiser.

Lines in Sand ?

How the middle east could look.

Aye monn! This is way too serious.

Swimming Poll afternoon

Perfect weather today, blue skies and sunshine. Spent along time at the pool.
World cup action with the lads.
Great Burgers at Dora´s. Thank you !!!!!
Eirikur and Daði got on really well, bonding over the eye-toy stuff.

Constables

Lovely hot sunshine, at last. I have an opportunity to sit outside and even sun bathe.
Sandra and I went down to the beach to do some landscape painting. Its good to get the paint box out from time to time. Slowly but surely I am working my way through Robert Fisk´s new book about the Middle East. It´s very enjoyable and brings back memories of up driving the Salang Road into Kabul from Jalahbad.

Huff and Puff

Have been practicing for the R run and trying to get back into form. The first days are always the worst, but I dont remember it being this bad ! Gently does it and hopefully I will not harm anything before the race.

Grilling skills are still okay though....... Big burgers are good.

Small world cup party !

Attended an interesting one day seminar on European Union Funding at the University of Reykjavik learning the “ins and outs” of making funding proposals.
Had fun watching the World Cup on a big screen with the Kids and friends, and later hanging with Beks.

Summer courses

Kids are off to a flying start with their summer courses. Eirikur was off, out in the sun all day with the football guys.
Sandra is in Melaskoli doing a mini olympic today.
Mondays is OC day, and so Rebekka was very much in attendence. Good Food Cooking featured. The new style of roast potatoes were very popular. Sandra was a great help with the “bonus” shopping.
Everybody slept very well !!!

"Sick as a Parrot, Brian"

Anna is off to america, I dropped her off at the airport. Then football...A black day for the world cup !!! England where knocked out. I watched the match at Simons house with a group of guys from Hull who had come to visit. The I went for a run around the ness, training for the Rekjavik run which will be in August.
Kids came over around nine and now just chillin' big time.

Some Sunshine

Nice sunshine start to the day. Took a bike ride in Nautholsvik.

Spaghetti moments

Spaghetti with Bekka from spain.

Graduation Weekend

I went to Haskolabio for the graduation ceremony on Friday. I was up on stage with the rest of my year to recieve my Diploma. Then our group arranged to meet afterwards for drinks and a meal at the Saga Grill. This was followed by dancing downtown untill the early morning jolly good fun!
Eva Laufey graduated as a midwife and, to suprise of everybody got married as well.
A whole bunch of football action as well this weekend.

National Holiday

Mainly cloudy with sunny patches in between. Training for the Reykjavik Marathon begins in ernest.

HM days

Swiss v France / Supper / Brazil v Croatia / Gentle jogging / Supper

Glacier view

On the Glacier

We went to take some photographs on Snaefells Glacier. There were some golden moments with spectacular views. My first time on a snow sledge.

Changai Airport Orchids

Changai airport in Singapore has to win the award for the calmest airport in the world. Some how designed so there is little ambient noise, cool greenery, no annoying tannoy announcements. It boasts free internet access, fish pond and ORCHID garden. Totally Fengi Shui.

Blog catch up

The weekend saw better weather, warm and sunny.
Priestly United end of season get together.We went to the bowling alley and did “Trial and error” ten pin bowling. I won’t be adding it to my CV at least.
Graduation party and dinner party in one evening followed by an earthquake in Jogjakarta.

Embarked on the journey to KL. Early start and a long stop over in London.But well equiped with special socks and eyeshades. Hopefully will be able to sleep on the plane.

Happy Feet

Enjoying a foot and neck massage in Jalan Bukit Bintang. I felt like I was walking on air afterwards. Very happy toes !