Germany!!!

Soooo..... after our lovely holiday in sweden, lots of stuff happened. A few noteworthy things: I went to the peak district, jenny's parents came to visit and we went to edinburgh, the summer weather in england was pants, but all in all we have had a fun time and things were generally just ticking over quite smoothely.

Then came my birthday. 24! Yes so that was pretty exciting. We went to the dog tracks on the thursday before my birthday to celebrate with my friends. It was really good fun actually. The tracks are located in Black Bird Leyes, known for its high unemployment, violent crime rate, and hoodie wearing. They are pretty run down and trashy, but the food and drink is cheap and the entertainment fantastic. I have been before and won 10 pounds. This time I lost ten pounds... easy come, easy go. All in all a great night.

Then on the morning of the Thursday I was awoken as always by the alarm clock on my phone, however I couldn't find it. After stumbling around in the apartment for sometime before I found it on the floor under card with instructions written on it to get dressed and wait for a taxi coming to pick me up. The car took me to the bus station where Jenny was waiting with two bags, and then the next thing I knew we were picking up our rental car in Basel airport. Exciting stuff, huh?!

I had no idea at all and it was a very cool birthday surprise. We stayed in Kandern and on the first night went to the "talibab" kebab restaurant and then the eis cafe. The spaghetti eis is still our favourite.

The next day we decided to go to Colmar. Its been a while since we been back (4 years), so we had to get a map. We also stopped off at my old house, which felt a little surreal. Not much has changed and the view is still pretty spectacular.

We were really lucky with the weather, although it was pretty chilly at first and we didn't really have appropriate clothing.

Colmar was lovely (of course), and we spent most of the day just trundling around taking in the sights.

That evening we went to the Gasthaus Ochsen and some wiener schnitzel with pommes. It was fun seeing how nothing has changed much in the years we've been gone.

We also had to visit Hieber's several times. German bread and pastries are superb and all the fresh produce is incredible. I could actually spend most of a day in Hieber's just looking at the hams and cheeses.

We met up with old acquaintances on Sunday and Andrew and Alyssa who graduated with us are now back in RAing and teaching.

Mike's (Bannon) sister is now at BFA so we also met up with her and took her out for dinner in Schlingen.

Although we were there from Friday till Tuesday, it wasn't really enough time to do everything we wanted to. We did manage to get up Hochblauen, and walk around in the woods some. Its definitely a gorgeous part of the world where we have many fond memories, and we are looking forward to our next visit.

Trip to Sveeden

We've been pretty lame at updating... I wont try to lie. But, oh well... I have a long list of excuses (shoddy computer, too much work, colds, dishes, reading, flat tires...) but we wont go into those. We'll just get on with it...

So we went to Sweden, yes, I know... it was a while ago. But nevertheless... here are some of the best bits... or at least the ones we remembered the camera for...

Heathrow's Terminal 5 was actually pretty exciting. We arrived in on our way home (I know, I know, photos are totally out of order). But we sat in the sun by the fountain eating sandwiches... it was utterly delightful and about a thousand times better than any other London terminal. Highly recommended!

Sweden was actually pretty sunny for the most part... sort of. We had some amazing scorching days and other days poured rain and were pretty chilly. We were lucky enough to go sailing on one of the days that started off okay but ended in a serious rain storm. It was pretty exciting sailing in such torrential conditions... (I am sure the Volvo Ocean race will probably see worse). But it was exciting nonetheless! Luckily some of the ladies got to stay in the cabin and do the washing and take photos!! 

But we did get in some very lovely sunny days. And, I'm convinced there is nothing better to do than go sailing in Sweden on a warm summer day... except for maybe playing some highly competitive Risk while stuffing the face with sour godis...

 Was really wonderful to see everyone! We managed to pick up a few new 'top secret' Inglis family recipes, I stuffed my face almost non-stop with sour candy, and made it through my first successful run in the Swedish forrest! 

New York!

Ok... so when we last left off I think we were returning from the cotswolds. And then the next day I went to New York to see Jonathan (my best friend since I was 10) as he was getting married at the end of the July. As Jenny wasn't there, I didnt take too many pictures, I tend to forget to bring the camera a long and am generally rubbish at thinking about taking pics. But it was great seeing Jonathan, I havent seen him since Jenny and I got married and I was able to stay out there for about a week. During the week he had to work a bit so I hung out with his younger brother David and older brother James, with whom I am also good friends and the rest of Thronton's.

Jonathan and his family live in Nyack (although his parents moved to Minnesota after the wedding), which is just across the hudson from Manhattan but then a bit north as they still live in NY not New Jersey. Its a really beautiful location and the weather was generally fantastic. Had a huge thunderstorm that knocked out all the power when I arrived and was humid, but sunny most days.


Also got some time to work on my tennis with David and Sharon, and I think my game has improved from being atrocious to poor, but enjoyed it nonetheless.


So most of the pictures I took are from setting up before the wedding, rehearsal, and the wedding itself. Also met up with old BFAers (Fox, and his wife, Isaac, Sam, and Jenna). And the Foxes, myself, Isaac, and Sam went out for dinner my last night there, and I dont think I have laughed so much for ages as we regaled each other with our stories from BFA.


So I think Ill just include the pictures below. Most of them are pretty self explanatory. Except for this one. Its just Jonathan and Erikias car. I thought it was pretty funny.

I think at this stage I was getting pretty bored and showing off my dance moves to David.

So yes that is it really. There are of course lots of pictures to which I am as of yet not privy to, but hopefully soon. David is also the photographer in many so my thanks to him. All in all it was a great wedding and a great trip. The location was beautiful and it was really fun meeting up with old friends and remembering the good ol' days. My best wishes to the the bride and groom should they find themselves reading this.

I think next weeks installment will be from the O2 festival and think I shall hand over to Jenny for that.