BACK IN POZNAN

First week of June, my parents are back in Europe for a 11 week holiday (but mainly to see me), and on their first week in, Pamela and I flew back to Poznan to catch up.
Poznan is a fairly small town … and a good place to relax, and since we still have the car (the Nugget), its very easy to get around.

We invited Jodie (Pamela's friend from Adelaide, who has been living in London for past 2 years ... and if you look at July 06 blogs, she was with us for our first day in London), to come down for a few days, which was fun … with the girls going through 3 bottles of a honey vodka (Krupnik).

In between catching up with my folks, lunches, dinners, the girls shopping, and trips to-and-from the airport (I made 6 trips in 10 days), it was a busy week …. But a good change of pace from London, or the US.

While I go back to USA for another 4 weeks of work (I’m flying back to Poznan for 10 days in first week of July) , my parents are going to take the Nugget, and travel around Poland during this time, and see some places that they had not visited when they lived here. Poland has a lot interesting tourist destinations, ranging from the historical attractions (castles, cities, churches), to diverse landscapes (sea, forests, lakes, and mountains).

It was good to see my parents, after almost a year apart.
I have decided that Im going to make more of an effort to go back to Australia to see them…. And next time we’ll be back is for Xmas (including most of January, as there are two weddings on the horizon …. Congratulations to Jasmine & Adam and Anne-Marie & Ruben) .

STAY TUNED

Its going to be a busy Summer ..... my parents are coming down to Poland for next 3 months .... so I will be flying directly between Boston and Poznan, spending my weeks off there ... and Im planning on having Pamela down to spend a weekend in New York in mid-July.
Pamela is also coming to Poland for weekends, and she has her own plans to spend a week in Morocco with Lucie (friend from Adelaide, who is coming down in lat July).

It feels a bit odd .... tonight Im flying back to London, will arrive Saturday morning, and the next day Im flying out to Poland .. and thats the last time I will see London for next 4 months .... so even though I consider it my home .. Im never there.
On domestic news, we (well mostly Pamela's work) have moved house, and her friend Christina (who arrived from Adelaide last week) is staying with her for the next 6 months.

We'll try to upload some photos of the new home.a

ITS BEEN A WHILE

I have been busy working, and travelling between london and New Hamshire .... and with winter, there isnt really anything too exciting to write about.

Work is going great (very interesting and fulfilling) ....and few months back I had Pamela fly down to Boston for the weekend.

She was bemused with how outdated my work phone was .... and the guns in an ordinary sports store (imagine that in a Rebel Sports store)

We got caught up in a snow storm ... and the rest you can gather from the photos.

SKI LESSONS

Back in Keene for another 3 week (this will be week 3 coming up), and it finally snowed about a week ago. About 6km out of town is a ski place, with different levels of slopes, and yesterday had my first ski lesson (might as well learn how to ski while im here).
I took a one-on-one instructor, and found it pretty easy … even managed to go down a 1.5km slope a few times without falling over.
Really enjoyed it, and could have skiied all night , if it wasnt for my legs/calves which after 3 hours or so began to burn (and this morning feel like lead).

I definately will try to fit in a few more ski days while the snow lasts, so hopefully next winter i can justify for going skiing in Europe.
The temp has been approx -5C for most days, so I think they can ski well into March.

BROKEN GLASS

At one of the shops, I leaned on a glass table to pick up a mirror at the end of it, and the glass gave way, cracking the table top ….. The trader insisted that it was ok, but I felt guilty for breaking it, and left 200 Dirhams (approx £12) as compensation … I figured that it should be enough to cover the damage, and it was the right thing to do. The cracking of the glass gave Pamela a fright, and I considered myself very lucky that my hand was not lacerated.

ESSAOUIRA

The following day we organized a bus for the 3 hour trip to the coast.
Essaouira is an amazing little town, which feels like it has been unchanged for centuries …. And the traders are a lot more relaxed and friendly, often inviting us to share tea with them.
We spend two days here, just relaxing and wondering around looking at trinkets. The weather once again disappointed, with considerable drizzle/rains, but there is always someone approaching and offering to sell umbrellas, and it provided plenty of occasions to stop for a coffee, and Crème Caramels which were plentiful due to the French colonial influence.
The town is full of little shops selling wood and leather goods, but this time of the year there were very few tourists, so I kind of felt sorry for the traders who obviously rely on them for a living.
(and yes, Pamela did buy a handbag and shoes)

MARRAKESH

We stayed in a hotel complex outside the Madina (old city), which is quiet and a complete contrast to the busy central market which is packed with food stalls and trading stalls.
I thought it would be much warmer, so a little bit disappointed with the weather, but other than that, it was great tasting the foods, and wandering the streets, although the traders can be quite harassing.

4 DAYS IN MOROCCO

Being Pamela’s birthday we decided to get away to Morocco for an extended weekend.
The flight there is just 3 hours, and we were able to fit it in between my Boston flights.
We are flying in and out of Marrakesh, and plan on taking a bus to the coastal fishing port of Essaouira, approx 180km west.

SHAGG’S WEDDING

I have been a little down this week because my friend Shaggs is getting married, and I am unable to attend the ceremony …. Its one of those things …. between working in USA, living in London, and a 30+ hour flight to Adelaide (from either London or Boston), there just isn't enough time in a week.
Im really disappointed that I couldn’t be there …. Although there were times I considered quitting my job, and surprising him (not to mention everyone else, and my parents, who I’m sure have missed me) … but that would be throwing away the last 5 months of hard work.

So to Olivia and Paul, CONGRATULATIONS and ALL THE BEST WISHES …. I really wish I could have been there.

LONDON SNOW

Its been a very mild winter (both here in London and USA), but this morning it snowed, and Pamela was very excited, being the first time she has seen real snow!
Its mid January, and the show is still fairly light, but it still makes good photo of our street considering its summer in Australia.

PARIS IN SEPIA

PARIS AT NIGHT