Christmas greetings 2015

It is Christmas again in our home in Álfholsvegur. We have a lot to be thankful for this year including wonderful visit from Tony and Bobbie in the summer. We had a couple of good days of weather and enjoyed a relaxed visit. They both were in fine form. Meanwhile the year seems to have flown by.

Eirikur enjoyed his school trip to Canada early this year examining the cultural life of Icelandic emigres in the town of Gimli. Canada in January is super cold but offers ice fishing. What´s not to like?  Eirikur started dating Stephanie. She is a lovely young lady and they look happy together. He has been working hard to finish high school. A milestone was passed when he exhibited art work at the students show in Perlan and again in the winter at Hitt Husið. Now is exam time and with that behind him he is clear to graduate at Christmas. Well done  Eirikur 

Sandra, like last year, has her heart and head set on horses. Her classes in stable management go well and she completed a 10 week work experience assignment on a horse farm, Der Windhof, outside Vienna in Austria. It was a tremendous experience and both her Mum and Dad were able to visit an  enjoy the sights of Bratislava  and Vienna respectively with her. Her next project is to take part in a youth culture congress in Mumbai India in the New Year.

Rebekka is moving steadily closer and closer to finishing medical school and in this final year is taking on more responsibilities on the hospital wards. She has also gained experience of medical practice in the countryside. Rebekka introduced  her boy friend  Guðbjörn to the family. He is polite, likes dogs and eats meat.

Although not Africa, Anna enjoyed travelling to Geneva, Copenhagen and Brussels. We also enjoyed celebrating the confirmations of her niece and nephew, Ásdís and Úlfar this year. Anna celebrated her 50th birthday in June of this year. There were deliberations on how to spend the day and in the end a party in Iceland was foresworn in favour of a celebration in the sunshine and warmth of Turkey. 

It was a lovely time and a memorable holiday but on returning we understood that Anna had to tackle a more challenging project, having been diagnosed with breast cancer - lobular carcinoma grade 2. The medical procedures have gone well, with surgery, radiation and a drugs  regime. Anna has responded well and the prospects for a full recovery are good. We would like to thank everybody for their support and kindness during this difficult time.

During the year David continued his studies in coaching weaving it together with art and painting, taking courses in Iceland and in France.

He continues to teach disaster management on European Union Civil Protection courses. He was also able to travel to Panama and sail the canal from one ocean to another!  Meanwhile rugby continues to grow - the club toured Scotland this year - and Red Cross work progresses.

At has been a year full of great moments and achievements.  We are looking forward to the holidays, Christmas and New Year, when we can remember friends and family. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, with love from the Lynches in Iceland.