Happy Birthday to Me

and the King of Norway Harald V.

Bergen

We had a lovely weekend in Bergen staying at the Clarion Admiral hotel right on the wharf (see picture of view from our room) celebrating Erling's 75th birthday (Jarle's Dad).

The weather was rainy then snowy but we didn't mind as we spent most of our time enjoying good food and good company at the hotel.

It is snowing!

Saturday was the Christmas dinner for Jarle's work so here we are all dressed up.

Amsterdam

Experimental photography....

Wonky building 

Quiet residence we came across that allows only women residents 

Oh my goodness it is ages since I have blogged!

I have just spent a wonderful weekend in Amsterdam with two lovely friends, Wendy and Carolyn.  We set off on Friday morning after the kids were packed off to school and we pretty much shopped the whole weekend....

We did squeeze in a one hour boat trip around the centre and Wendy treated us to a live comedy show which was great fun.

Shopping, shopping oh and a bit more shopping.  Good food, lovely hotel, great company, friendly helpful Dutch people, fun Amsterdam.

Halloween

When we first moved to Norway (1999) Halloween was almost unheard of here.  Every year it gets a little bit more and more popular.  Nille (cheap shop that sells wide variety of stuff you never knew you needed) sells loads of Halloween decorations and sweets now.

So Mia went off trick or treating or as it is known here "Knask eller Kneip" with Maria and Rannveig.  Bucket of sweets later she came home happy.  This year for the first time ever we had a real pumpkin.  I have never carved a pumpkin in my life before and was quite pleased with my work.  Thank goodness for google!

Riding, Football and Halloween

Mia was riding yesterday again, on a horse whose name I have forgotten but he was dark chocolate coloured and very sweet.

Today was a football cup tournament at our local club grounds.  Mia played three games and unfortunately her team did not win today but they are definitely improving and they try their best.

Mia is off to a halloween party this evening at a friend's house, should be fun.

We are trying some sparkling white wines from the Burgundy region of France (not Champagne officially because it is a different part of the country, but basically the same thing but cheaper).  Tried our third one today and we both agree it is the best so far, course I can't remember what it is called........

Clocks go back tonight, winter is looming, Christmas is just around the corner.....

Mia in her riding gear with Leira from last week (Tip; riding gear is much cheaper and more choice in France!)

Zizou

is curled up happily on the Bob the Builder bean bag right now.

Yesterday he got a haircut.  Transformed from shaggy sheep to whippet like schnauzer.