After arriving at the Frankfurt Hahn airport, dropping off the car, checking in, going through security, having a coffee then going to the gate we discover that our Ryan Air flight is over 6 hours delayed. This meant the connecting flight in London Stansted to Amsterdam would be missed. Hot on the laptops to find alternatives and getting our bags returned, we managed to get into Frankfurt central train station and catch an express train directly to Utrecht. How lucky was that! At the station was Giovanna waiting for us! We had a lovely walk back in the warm, sunny weather [View Full Entry]

---

---

It was a lovely drive back through the Alps as the snow from the night before was still delicately hanging on the thin branches and we had blue skies. It almost didn't matter that we almost missed finding our way to the castle again. After we had crossed into Germany, there were signs pointing to the castle with the direction toward Austria again, and for this reason, I felt I must be misreading... so we continued. Signs came up again, but they kept changing names, sometimes Koenigsschloesser and sometimes Schloss Neuschwanstein. Anyway, we found it. It was a nice walk up [View Full Entry]

---

---

We crossed into Austria under the shadow of the Zugspitze and worked our way through the winter wonderland down to the main valley to reach Innsbrueck. Down in the valley the snow had turned to rain, but we made the best of it because we anyway needed a place to pause in order to decide where to go snowboarding. The original plan was that Olaf, a friend of Vivi's from Nuernberg, was going to join us for the weekend, so we were waiting on his recommendation and what suited him driving-wise. The SMS came through that Kitzbuehel was nice, so we [View Full Entry]

---

---

After a fun bus ride to London Stansted, we boarded on our practically free ride to Frankfurt (Hahn) without complication. The Ryanair flight was 2 pence and taxes paid for, but after baggage, check-in and handling fees, it was still only 24 pounds each. German efficiency had us in our citroen diesel in no time and we were off in sunny 18 degree weather going the 165km maximum the wee frenchie could do. Since the airport was an hour and a half west of Frankfurt, we decided to not go super far the first night so we stopped in Heidelberg. After [View Full Entry]

---

---

Back from Oslo to pick up Vivi at Heathrow. After a 2 hour flight delay and then a 2 hour delay after landing, she finally came through. Given the cold and rainy weather we decided to stay in for the day. That evening though... yepp, you guessed it. Curry! It was lovely. The next day the sun was shining so we had a nice stroll around west London. I told Vivi we were going for breakfast to keep her motivated. After we finally settled on a place for a greasy fry up, we weren't able to walk any more, so we [View Full Entry]

---

---

Back “home” in Oslo for a little over a week. Tommy was waiting in the arrival lounge, buying himself a coffee when I came through. It was really good to see him. He had his car just outside and it didn’t take long to get to it and get on our way to his place. It was especially nice that he left the office early in order to get me. Once at his place I just hung out as I filled him and Napat in on the adventures of late. I joined in a shopping trip for food in Groenland and [View Full Entry]

---

---

Back from Spain in the wee hours coming from Stansted is quite the adventure when you have to depend on night buses. Made it back safe and sound and slept in proper to be well rested for the 6 nations final! We stayed in to properly watch Wales win the Grand Slam (all 5 of their matches). After the win ( and a couple Takeshi's Castles) we were off to The Fox to celebrate! I have to admit it was fun to receive the congratulations of the fellow six nationers, then have to explain I am Canadian. Hello! How many blonde, [View Full Entry]

---

---

Off to sunny Seville for skydiving with www.skydivespain.com. The flight and car rental went smoothly and I was lucky to get a modern suite to stay in for a good rate and it included free WIFI so I couldn't be happier. I couldn't jump the first day because of wind and cloud cover, but the following days were divine. I did 1 solo warm up jump and then ploughed into the FS1 course with Sally. It is a 10 jump course that teaches proper techniques for jumping with others and in formation. The last jump was a 4 way plus a [View Full Entry]

---

---

Cathy and Jeremy were so nice to put me up in their spare room, arranging a key pickup from the neighbour while they were away. As soon as they were home, we were off to the next door curry house faster than you can say poppadom. I had forgotten how good it was. We ordered lots so Jeremy and I could have leftovers the next day. After that, where else but the pub! I reintroduced them to an often overlooked boozer by the name of "The Fox". Ahh, the overfilled pints that spill on your hands and the floor when someone [View Full Entry]

---

---

After leaving Saba in the Netherlands Antilles, I went to visit family and friends in Canada. I really enjoyed doing nothing for a while. I bought a new laptop and spent a good amount of time setting it up (trying to work around the Vista bugs). I was able to put full attention to writing emails, chatting with friends and a doing a whole lotta surfing (including some travel planning). Reading a of couple books, a bit of cooking once in awhile, guitar playing and just plain relaxing. Although everyone was complaining about the endless winter and all the snow, I [View Full Entry]

---

---