I wish I wouldn't have to write things from memory- everything gets distorted and the puzzle gradually changes. I just wanted to mention our little holiday break, but my sieve like memory may leave some holes/jumps in the writting! Forgive my disjointed approach.
Anyway, holiday did arrive! It's been a tough slog since I started in the lab in late October in 08, but that time of year comes around when even Professors get some time off! Not saying I'm a professor, more that it means I get to follow in their footsteps! While my Prof gets 5 weeks off, I'm almost my own boss now, so I've had the last 2 weeks off.
There was no chavtastic holiday to Spain, Turkey, Egypt etc just a week or so, a week and a bit actually, where Johanna grew up (well a mixture of Tibro/Skövde), Göteborg and a trip to Skagen in Denmark.
I'm not going to bore you with the details, but in a word, that word being awesome, can best describe our time. It was the first time I drove our new car in another country (we took the 3 hour ferry to Frederikshavn from Göteborg). Skagen is the northern most point of Denmark, basically where the Baltic meets the North Sea, or more correctly the Kattegat meets the Skagerrak. Needless to say, its a beautiful beach place, where the seas meet, which apparently causes some catastrophies- namely shipwrecks including beaching, sinking etc.
Interestingly, the area is fortified by German WWII bunkers around the beach, which up until recently were going to be removed (well obviously because the whole Nazi theme doesn't sit too pretty with everyone), but now have become a tourist attraction. They are mostly ruined anyway, but I personally think they are of huge interest- as with these things, to visualize yourself back in the day is actually quite frightening.
History lesson over. Denmark (well our representation of the country by this little place) is for Swedes at the moment, very expensive. The Danish:Swedish crown is 1:1.4. This wouldn't be so bad, but the prices are basically the same in Sweden as Denmark e.g. a beer is 30kr...but now its actually above 42kr (in Swedish). As we are poorer than church mouse (look it up) it means despite saving some wonga for the trip across, we couldn't really splash out. It's not a case of being tight arses (I mean we have a new car, flat...the works), it's more a case of actually having no money left!! I'm still looking for that money tree....I know it's here somewhere.....
What did get my attention over there is the giant beers they have....seriously, Johanna told me she reckons they are 1litre. So despite no money and driving, it wasn't really an option. It would be embarassing going out in Denmark, you know 'I had a heavy night last night....' 'How much did you have to drink?' '2 beers'....haha, lightweights! It also wouldn't be that bad, but all they seem to drink is piss water Carlsberg.....probably not the best beer in the world.
What else? Well we saw Transformers 2. Ok, not something to shout about may be? I thought it was quality actually. Yes, it's probably the boy in me (no Michael Jackson jokes now), and Johanna was impressed, you know the love story (no not between the robots!) etc.
During our little outing, we managed to sleep in the back of our car: not too bad indeed, quite spacious! We also tented it up. Not so crazy I hear you say. Just ask Johannas choice for pitching our tent (again, no dirty thoughts you buggers). What could be worse than next to a grave yard? Try a specific cholera graveyard : ) (we didn't drink any local water!)
Probably the best moment, arguably, was our encounter with a 14 week old bernese mountain dog. We probably havent seen a fluffier, cuter dog! Appropriately named Simba, I literally had to drag Johanna away- the 'last cuddle' was neverending. We tried to steal it, but no can do I'm afraid (I'm kidding, really). Patience is a virtue (apparently) and we shall be expecting our little (well massive) puppy earlyish next year.
There's no doubt more to say, I've probably missed something blindingly obvious. Not important, but I recieved my first pay check as a PhD the other day....some pennies in the bank at last!! Erm.....yeah, ok. I'll stop there. I'm just watching the Man U vs some Asian team reply, the one they win 8-2 against. The funny thing is the commentator, he's so good- he basically says all these stupid phrases all the time, and I swear is making up random names for the Asian players, Cheese fon du, Dum Gai....etc etc. It reminded me of Alan Partridge and his commentary on The Day Today, pure genius:
There was no chavtastic holiday to Spain, Turkey, Egypt etc just a week or so, a week and a bit actually, where Johanna grew up (well a mixture of Tibro/Skövde), Göteborg and a trip to Skagen in Denmark.
I'm not going to bore you with the details, but in a word, that word being awesome, can best describe our time. It was the first time I drove our new car in another country (we took the 3 hour ferry to Frederikshavn from Göteborg). Skagen is the northern most point of Denmark, basically where the Baltic meets the North Sea, or more correctly the Kattegat meets the Skagerrak. Needless to say, its a beautiful beach place, where the seas meet, which apparently causes some catastrophies- namely shipwrecks including beaching, sinking etc.
Interestingly, the area is fortified by German WWII bunkers around the beach, which up until recently were going to be removed (well obviously because the whole Nazi theme doesn't sit too pretty with everyone), but now have become a tourist attraction. They are mostly ruined anyway, but I personally think they are of huge interest- as with these things, to visualize yourself back in the day is actually quite frightening.
History lesson over. Denmark (well our representation of the country by this little place) is for Swedes at the moment, very expensive. The Danish:Swedish crown is 1:1.4. This wouldn't be so bad, but the prices are basically the same in Sweden as Denmark e.g. a beer is 30kr...but now its actually above 42kr (in Swedish). As we are poorer than church mouse (look it up) it means despite saving some wonga for the trip across, we couldn't really splash out. It's not a case of being tight arses (I mean we have a new car, flat...the works), it's more a case of actually having no money left!! I'm still looking for that money tree....I know it's here somewhere.....
What did get my attention over there is the giant beers they have....seriously, Johanna told me she reckons they are 1litre. So despite no money and driving, it wasn't really an option. It would be embarassing going out in Denmark, you know 'I had a heavy night last night....' 'How much did you have to drink?' '2 beers'....haha, lightweights! It also wouldn't be that bad, but all they seem to drink is piss water Carlsberg.....probably not the best beer in the world.
What else? Well we saw Transformers 2. Ok, not something to shout about may be? I thought it was quality actually. Yes, it's probably the boy in me (no Michael Jackson jokes now), and Johanna was impressed, you know the love story (no not between the robots!) etc.
During our little outing, we managed to sleep in the back of our car: not too bad indeed, quite spacious! We also tented it up. Not so crazy I hear you say. Just ask Johannas choice for pitching our tent (again, no dirty thoughts you buggers). What could be worse than next to a grave yard? Try a specific cholera graveyard : ) (we didn't drink any local water!)
Probably the best moment, arguably, was our encounter with a 14 week old bernese mountain dog. We probably havent seen a fluffier, cuter dog! Appropriately named Simba, I literally had to drag Johanna away- the 'last cuddle' was neverending. We tried to steal it, but no can do I'm afraid (I'm kidding, really). Patience is a virtue (apparently) and we shall be expecting our little (well massive) puppy earlyish next year.
There's no doubt more to say, I've probably missed something blindingly obvious. Not important, but I recieved my first pay check as a PhD the other day....some pennies in the bank at last!! Erm.....yeah, ok. I'll stop there. I'm just watching the Man U vs some Asian team reply, the one they win 8-2 against. The funny thing is the commentator, he's so good- he basically says all these stupid phrases all the time, and I swear is making up random names for the Asian players, Cheese fon du, Dum Gai....etc etc. It reminded me of Alan Partridge and his commentary on The Day Today, pure genius:
