Cousins

Martin’s brother Justin (who last year turned 30…or was that 40?) is one of this blog’s regular readers and commentators – thank you J! He and his lovely family, wife Meeta,  Yasmin (8) and Aran (soon 6) are currently spending half term in the Lakes, and we had a great Sunday together. Luke’s cousins  are just the sweetest kids you ever want to meet, and the three of them got on like a house on fire. They brought a boardgame (Pesky Pirates) for Luke – a new concept for him, and taught him how to play. Then they disappeared into his room, and just played the entire day away. So nice.

…and guess who came for dinner! Lukie exclaimed “They are my brothers!” while pointing and jumping up and down as they walked in:-)

Georgetown revisited

When I lived in NC – about 15 years ago – Washington DC used to be my saving (political) grace…driving the seven hours to stay with my super liberal Russian speaking friends Kevin and Maren was such a relief from the prevailing conservative winds in the south (much as I loved life there). I’m now back in Georgetown, having half a day off during the latest e-reading seminar…

Love it!

The old favourites…after some fantastic frocks over the years, I feel I am definitely too old for Betsy J these days. Sadly – she is just brilliant!

And the fantastic deli Dean & Deluca – selling unpasteurised cheese against federal law! Since then it’s become a national institution…

And a couple of pics from last week – first Martin testing some borrowed equipement to film his own paragliding…no idea how my little camera managed to focus on just him:-)

And Lukie at his favourite past time…having Mamma read him When We Were Very Young while he’s on the potty… for a very long time…

Nine at Broadgate House

Last night was some sort of record – there were nine of us sleeping in our flat! My sister Ulli with kids Ida, Ture and Sara have been over all weekend, and Matt and Josh joined the Sunday night get-together…

Ida has been a super book reader for Sara and Luke over the entire weekend!

Yatzy is as popular as ever with this crowd – both the Knutssons and the Campbells.

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at Keldwyth House, with the main activity being picking apples and refining them – here’s Martin juicing.

He also made some rosemary and  apple jelly, using less than orthodox methods I think…

…Ida made apple crumble for everyone, Sarah’s focus was apple and black berry jam, and Matthew and I hung with the kids in the garden for much of the afternoon. A great day!

A Paris aujourd’hui

Last minute secondment to the French capital to report on yet another e-reading event…and for the first time I find myself in the La Défense business area of Paris, which to a large extent came into being as Mitterand’s legacy to the world (well, the French at any rate). Some amazing architecture, and the sheer scale is just mind-boggling. This from the man who basically asked for sparrow for his last meal. (Actually l’ortolan, a tiny, yellow-breasted songbird which is actually illegal to eat in France – it is nevertheless roasted and eaten with bones and all, at least by men who don’t have to worry about details like the law)

Happy Birthday Lukie!

Three today! We managed to wake up before Luke this morning, to bring him his presents (while singing) in bed…

He got some good extra bits for his train track and Dad helped build a much extended version

On Sunday he had his birthday party. Mormor, Morfar and My Hanna were over, and his friends Jacob, James and Eleanor came as did Matt, Josh and Carmen. Lukie rode his new bike (and everyone else rode theirs!) But not  before Dad had demonstrated how to wear the helmet (this was in the morning; he doesn’t normally wear a kimono when we have guests…)

And some pics from earlier during the weekend, when we went to lovely little Watendlath with the Swedes…

In James’ garden

The weather in Cumbria is currently absolutely stunning – and has been for quite a few days. This weekend saw the Great North Swim taking place in Lake Windermere, with 6000 swimmers (3000 each day)  doing 1 mile, starting and finishing at the Low Wood hotel…Martin was there to document, check it out over at Cumbrialive! Just click on the swimmer.

This afternoon we went to visit Luke’s friend James in the village…his parents Lianne and Andrew have built a house on the side of Lianne’s parent’s house, which has the most amazing garden facing fields and fells! I forseee many days playing in this place – indeed there were big tears when we had to go back home (might have had something to do with Jame’s extensive collection of toy trains as well…)

And beyond the garden there’s a great big paddock…much fun was had!

Back in the watefalls

So – back in Cumbria and the best water this area offers (and I am N O T talking about the precipitation, abundant and life giving though it may be!)

Lukie’s first river scramble, mostly being carried by Dad…

And then we watched El Loco

Portraits of Dad

Lukie loves using my Ixus (insisting the wrist band is firmly tied around his little arm), and these are his images of his Dad this afternoon…

Paradise

Lukie’s friend Jacob and parents Sarah and Matthew came to visit during our last week at Rammsjöstrand. We had lovely weather, in particular on the day pictured here…which we spent on Mäsinge strand – where else. Jacob’s first time ever on a beach, and he loved it, following Luke’s lead…

And the day  before, at the Rammsjöstrand sand pit…best mates!

We’re now back in Grasmere…more later!

Byavägen 12

Another week has passed at the Swedish HQ…some glimpses here:

Martin’s been taking kite surfing lessons, so we all joined him at beach Laganoset one windy afternoon…

Saturday we had the traditional crayfish party, and for the first time Luke was invited for a full session…he particularly liked the party hats and of course the Swedish flags, which always set him singing the national anthem now

Amazingly, he got really into the crayfish, after some instructions from Dad

He loves taking pictures, and these are some of his shots of early that evening:

Finally, it was time to take the boys (that’d be Matt and Josh) back to the airport. But not before an afternoon in Limhamn with Ulli and her family, complete with evening swim.

Sara and Luke – sporting his new Malmö FF (stepping stone of recently acquired Barcelona forward Zlatan Ibrahimovich) robe, birthday present from his cousins, and what a great one, thank you so much!!