What on earth has happened?

We are still here!!

We had a visit again. Here some bondingtime and meditation with Andra.

 

Visitors are very often used for arrainging handy stuff that we are too lazy to figure out ourselves. So be warned...

 

There has been some grilling of macrel, mind you, we fish it ourselves.

Ther natureis still stunning, here five minutes from our house

The shrimps are still enormous and delicious

 

Andra had a minor accident, and is here being carried down from the mountain by Jørgen (former flute teacher of mine, now fanatic walking inspirator) Btw, Andra is well recovered and is the fittest dog at the age of ten in the area, according to her vet.

Marianne has been to Groningen TWICE. Once for a nice double birthday party and a single one, and some study stuff, and the second time for some study stuff and accidentally some house stuff. Proudly announcing to be done with collecting grades, it being Masters or Bachelors. For the time being she will direct choir and maybe do something with visual arts. Time and Blog will show! 

By the way, Andra is a VERY fast swimmer!

And, did I say, A Very Fit Dog!

 

 The garden doing nice. The borecole was eaten by the snails, but the Chicorei and the Perpetual Spinach is doing dandy!!

The Borage...

...and the rest of the flowers make sure the squash are getting pollinated all right. Might even let some veggies become seeds.

Next time, more on our friendly visits, kayaktrips and fishing. If the weather stays this good. Otherwise you will read about all the nice cafe's we have visited!

What we miss (1)

The fish hanging, Lauwersoog, at Visser Vis.

 Café Mulder, in the Ellebogenburt in Groningen. (Photo is shopped from this site)

Asparagus round this time of the year. We always invite ourselves to Karel and Annet. There she makes around a kilo per person, masses of boiled eggs and ham, a few potatoes, melted butter and a suitable wine. Michael and Karel eat a couple of asparagus, while Annet and I take care of the rest.

Friends of Nøgne Ø

We decided to check out the beertastingevening at Patrick's last week. Friends of Nøgne Ø meet there regularly to test different beers, pen and paper in hand, all very serious of course, no fun at all....

For those of you who do not know, Nøgne Ø is a microbrewery in Grimstad, not far from Kristiansand. They are serious brewers, into pure taste, pure ingredients, innovation and style. Half of the guys we met at Patrick's are a part of the tasting comission. In short we learnt a lot about types, style and history in one evening. But most of all we got to taste a most fabulous (dessert) beer, the Black Tokyo Horizon, a collaboration project between Brew Dog, Mikkeller and Nøgne Ø. Finely tuned to a chocolate fudge ice cream combo, it sent us straight to gourmet heaven.

Thanks a lot to Terje, Geir, Jarle, Kenni, Erik and Peer Øyvind for a great evening. Looking forward to some more serious and responsible tasting after the summer! Then we can also enjoy the new micro brewery in town: Christiansand Brygghus

By the way, a great series on Flemish television on Belgian Beer is Tournée Générale. A great book on a piece of history of English Brewery is Waterland by Graham Swift.

Evasive Procrastination (3) The careless gardener

Yesterday the plants were allowed out to play, into the sun, the garden and the earth. They had been standing on the balcony waving at me for some days now. Reminding me of my promise. But we had just had too much fun lately, with Constitutional day, visit, writing, working...

We got a great piece of cardboard from the local bikeshop. They are just perfect, no print on, and they fill the whole plot!

The weed we leave to die under the cardboard, and above, all the plants are let out to thrive and grow.,

Then we needed a little walk with Andra. Here she is rolling with delight after a swim in Bånetjønn.

All the little plants in a row. Not a weed in sight.

Finally, the Squash, the Endive, the Perpetual Spinach and the Basil have found their places. The Borecole needs to wait till it gets bigger before it can come out and play with the others.

 

 And now it begins, war of Snails!!

Sitting on the musical chair

My former conservatory in Kristiansand, Musikkens Hus, now turned completely Music School. YAY!

My former flute teacher called me last week, if I could teach his students today. Of course I said yes. I always had a lot of fun in his lessons. Very motivating teacher, a lot because of the fun of playing together. He also teaches guitar. Guitar is a great instrument on its own, but blends perfectly in with the flute, making that very special sound.

Just listen to this little Piazolla piece, and enjoy the timbre!!

Fingers up for Norway !!

For the celebration of Norwegian national day (17th of May) Wieke, Jolanda and Ulli visited us. The weather was great and the flags waved exubarent! On may 17 Norway celebrates Constitution day (more info on  17. Mai) . Marianne got help from her mother to put on her 'Bunad' Doesn't she look lovely!!

The morning started with the parade of all the school-childeren.

We stood waving off course.

And here in front of the church of Kristiansand

Marianne made the tradtional blaudkake (wet cake) which we ate at home for lunch.

Then for a concert to Ravnedalen (the red dots in the left are the musicians).

The next day we went for a walk to Ravneheia and Bervannet. We realised that Wieke, Jolanda and Michael know each other now for 20 years. That is more than half our lives!

The view from Ravneheia overlooking the city is beautiful!

Then to Bervannet where Wieke and Ulli took a swim.

As if a four hour walk wasn't enough Wieke, Ulli and Marianne did some climbing.

The weather was even better the next day. We went grlling in Hellevika. Here Andra looking very relaxed.

Lovely sausages!

and playing Viking-chess (but in Norway known als Kubb)

A fantastic relaxing holiday!!

Gigantic Cake and New Organic Zen-Cake

Saturday there was a big party at Dampbageriet in Kristiansand. Celebrating 150 years of cakemaking pleasure and business in this town, with music and of course: CAKE!

 This cake, needless to say is enourmous, and truly covers the meaning of BIG party!

Very very good music, even though you cannot hear nor see it. The red-dressed youngsters in the foreground are the Russ. Will tell mor about this later, after 17th of May! (tomorrow) At the back, our ´Olle Grieze´.... Domkirken.

And here, at the place of the old cafe ´Det Hvide Hus´ the new café Til Stede!!!! (Present, in the now I guess it means, kind of zen-like) In Markensgata. They have been here just about one and a half month, and so have we. Talked to the very nice girl at the bar, who came down here to Kristiansand just to open this place. Very very kind of her indeed.

Here some nice cake, Carrot and Chocolate, very very tempting. All organic food, some vegan, some also raw, which is new for some, but how about the feeling of eating a healthy piece of cake!!

This guy is looking very very organic and sustainable behind his herbs. He told me he is originally from town, but brought the concept down from Oslo.

I went for sensible lunch, and took the bellpeppersoup, which was delicious. The complemetory bread is better than/close to homemade, and the olive oil dip is just divine.