Dear Heidi,
Now we have all celebrated Christmas, in one way or another. It sounds like you have all had a wonderful feast, and I do believe you are at a hotel complex today?! ( you may thank Pappa and find my iPhone for that good guessđ)
We have had a long day of teaming rain today, which has not deterred the masses of birds flocking around my feeders. Today I counted up the Christmas visitors to be blue and great tits, dunnocks, Siskins, green finches, gold and chaffinches, waxwings and nuthatches. I haven’t seen the woodpeckers since we got back though.
I have had a very lazy day, just as Boxing Day should be, and have caught up with my journal. I painted a greattit, holly and ivy and added photos from Tenerife and England.
I have also caught up with a couple of Uk tv Christmas specials, and Pappa, D, D’s friend M and
U from downstairs are engrossed in a Caucassone match. W has just come in from next door.
I am cooking a ham in cola for supper, with baked potatoes and salad, and must go and put the oven on in fact. So, love as always,
Your Mamma xx
tirsdag 26. desember 2017
mandag 18. desember 2017
December 18
Dear Heidi,
I am battling with a woolly head today, because of a throat infection, fever and cough, but I am sure I will get over it soon. I have a huge pile of laundry to do, as usual after a holiday, and I really need to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables too, but that is a job for tomorrow.
Today, we are keeping the fire burning, and I have essential oils infusing to ease the throat and make the house smell Christmassy. I hope we can get the Christmas china out of the stabbur tomorrow too, and even get a Christmas tree perhaps!
D is working in Moss, in a park, so is away long hours this week. I hope he will have a few days break over the holidays! W has gone next door already!
We have a goodly amount of snow, but also thick fog, so I am glad to be indoors.
Love you, Mamma
I am battling with a woolly head today, because of a throat infection, fever and cough, but I am sure I will get over it soon. I have a huge pile of laundry to do, as usual after a holiday, and I really need to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables too, but that is a job for tomorrow.
Today, we are keeping the fire burning, and I have essential oils infusing to ease the throat and make the house smell Christmassy. I hope we can get the Christmas china out of the stabbur tomorrow too, and even get a Christmas tree perhaps!
D is working in Moss, in a park, so is away long hours this week. I hope he will have a few days break over the holidays! W has gone next door already!
We have a goodly amount of snow, but also thick fog, so I am glad to be indoors.
Love you, Mamma
sĂžndag 17. desember 2017
December 17th
Dear Heidi,
Oh dear Heidi, what a shocking experience for you all in Cape Verde! To have two groups of your shipmates attacked so senselessly and violently must be terrifying, and I can quite understand how insecure you feel. The whole visit must seem tainted with horror, and yet, as I understand it, nobody was seriously hurt, physically, which is a blessing. To be robbed of your possessions so abruptly and with guns and knives threatening lives, is an invasion of your sense of self and of your equilibrium, let alone the actual loss and the inconvenience caused by the losses.
You must all, as a team, pull together and learn and grow from this event. You will all come through tougher and wiser, I hope, and sadly, a little more cynical about the world.
Now, I understand that the teaching staff are going home. For Christmas? You said two other teachers are coming from Aplus staff to take the Optimised Learning course, and that your new history teacher is joining the Ship soon, but none of you know these teachers. Are none of the actual teachers staying on board? Who, then, is responsible for 60 teenagers over the 10 days you are in port, and over Christmas? It seems a bit odd to us, here at home, and not ideal, to say the least, in the light of what has happened. Hmm.
Back home, we are again four; the snow is crisp and powdery and about ankle deep, with minus 8 at the moment. The birch trees are frosted white, and the mist hung low over the fields when we came home. The sun an orange disc through the branches or pale yellow where it was obscured by the mists. The house was tidy, the animals mad with delight to see us all (well, Miss Smudge was a bit standoffish to start with!) and the kitchen was scattered with dirty dishes...oh well. It was good to be home, even if I had to pull on my apron and rubber gloves immediately.
Today is the third Sunday of advent! Three candles, burning in the night, for Hope, and Faith and Joy.
Take Joy, my dearest girl, in what you can, and give thanks to God, for all is not lost. There is still so much goodness to be found, if you can only look for it.
Know that you are loved, so very much.
Your own Mamma.
Oh dear Heidi, what a shocking experience for you all in Cape Verde! To have two groups of your shipmates attacked so senselessly and violently must be terrifying, and I can quite understand how insecure you feel. The whole visit must seem tainted with horror, and yet, as I understand it, nobody was seriously hurt, physically, which is a blessing. To be robbed of your possessions so abruptly and with guns and knives threatening lives, is an invasion of your sense of self and of your equilibrium, let alone the actual loss and the inconvenience caused by the losses.
You must all, as a team, pull together and learn and grow from this event. You will all come through tougher and wiser, I hope, and sadly, a little more cynical about the world.
Now, I understand that the teaching staff are going home. For Christmas? You said two other teachers are coming from Aplus staff to take the Optimised Learning course, and that your new history teacher is joining the Ship soon, but none of you know these teachers. Are none of the actual teachers staying on board? Who, then, is responsible for 60 teenagers over the 10 days you are in port, and over Christmas? It seems a bit odd to us, here at home, and not ideal, to say the least, in the light of what has happened. Hmm.
Back home, we are again four; the snow is crisp and powdery and about ankle deep, with minus 8 at the moment. The birch trees are frosted white, and the mist hung low over the fields when we came home. The sun an orange disc through the branches or pale yellow where it was obscured by the mists. The house was tidy, the animals mad with delight to see us all (well, Miss Smudge was a bit standoffish to start with!) and the kitchen was scattered with dirty dishes...oh well. It was good to be home, even if I had to pull on my apron and rubber gloves immediately.
Today is the third Sunday of advent! Three candles, burning in the night, for Hope, and Faith and Joy.
Take Joy, my dearest girl, in what you can, and give thanks to God, for all is not lost. There is still so much goodness to be found, if you can only look for it.
Know that you are loved, so very much.
Your own Mamma.
fredag 15. desember 2017
December 15th
Dear Heidi,
Now you are close to Cabe Verde, and I suspect the weather is much warmer than even Tenerife was.
I wonder how your shoulder is, and if you are able to start working it gently?
We are still in England and have had a few days with Aunty S. We did not go to Wales because of the snow in the Uk and because of Pappa’s illness. He is slowly getting better. Now we are in Cannington and have been in to school to help W pack up. The school has a sick bug going round, so there are over 30 boys sent home already. I really hope W is going to be ok, at least until we get home! Tomorrow is the carol service at church and then we are off to see Grandad for supper and on to Gatwick for the night at the bloc. We have had all sorts of weather here, sun, snow, monsoon rain and wind, hailstones and mist! Time to go back to the frozen northđ
I am looking forwards to hearing all about the Cape and what all you get up to there, so talk to you soon,
Love you, mamma.
Now you are close to Cabe Verde, and I suspect the weather is much warmer than even Tenerife was.
I wonder how your shoulder is, and if you are able to start working it gently?
We are still in England and have had a few days with Aunty S. We did not go to Wales because of the snow in the Uk and because of Pappa’s illness. He is slowly getting better. Now we are in Cannington and have been in to school to help W pack up. The school has a sick bug going round, so there are over 30 boys sent home already. I really hope W is going to be ok, at least until we get home! Tomorrow is the carol service at church and then we are off to see Grandad for supper and on to Gatwick for the night at the bloc. We have had all sorts of weather here, sun, snow, monsoon rain and wind, hailstones and mist! Time to go back to the frozen northđ
I am looking forwards to hearing all about the Cape and what all you get up to there, so talk to you soon,
Love you, mamma.
mandag 11. desember 2017
December 11th.
Dear Heidi,
We had such a good time with you in Tenerife! We love how calm and confident you are, and how well you are doing on the Ship. You are working hard and this shows in the praise all your teachers have for you, and of course in your grades. Well done!
Whilst you were here we did so much, and saw So many of the aspects of life here in the Canary Islands. From the churches and nativities, the historic town centres and the ghastly touristy south side, the mountains, desert landscapes and forests to the volcanic summits and the sandy beaches.
I hope that your shoulder has responded well to the treatment from the physio, and the strapping is helping. Don’t forget to do your exercises!
We waved you off (eventually) and then Pappa and I drove along the front. You remember the white concert hall like a cobras head? Beside that there is a rocky hill that is covered with palm trees and other tropical plants. It is a botanical garden, and we raced along its pathways to the view point looking out over the sea. We got a lovely last view of you all, disappearing into the misty horizon.
Later on, back at the villa, your shipmate C’s father from Quebec came to dinner at our lovely restaurant, and we had such a friendly evening with him. We all three got on so very well. We are looking forwards to seeing him again in Miami.
The next day, Pappa was ill. He had sunstroke, I think, from standing watching the ship depart, and had a fever and chills and now has a cough. So we didn’t do much for that day, certainly not going to the English church as I had hoped. But never mind. We just rested quietly, and had a light lunch in the terrace cafe. Today we have bought more painkillers and a ventolin inhaler for him, and then had a quick trip into the city, where I bought the last pair of slippers the same as yours, but a paler grey, I think. We had some pasta for lunch and then headed back to the villa. On the way, however, Pappa diverted to visit a little vineyard he had heard about. ( The one here, Casa del vino, is shut on Mondays). It was well worth searching out, as we were personally shown around by the owner, who is producing the same wines as the original vineyard owner ( the first governor of the island, a Conquistador in the 1500s) so we really did find the “ Canary wine” that I was hoping to taste, that is written about in Shakespeare, and other classic literature.
So now we are all packed up. The fircones weighed nearly 4 kg and took up a whole side of a suitcase! Oops! Apparently the UK is totally snowed in, with minus 6 to minus 13 depending on the area, and icy as well. So we can only hope that our plane will arrive here tomorrow and that the roads will be cleared by the time we land. In the mean time, the grey clouds and morning drizzle here have turned into pouring rain, and we are ready to say adios to Tenerife.
With so much love my darling daughter,
Mamma.
We had such a good time with you in Tenerife! We love how calm and confident you are, and how well you are doing on the Ship. You are working hard and this shows in the praise all your teachers have for you, and of course in your grades. Well done!
Whilst you were here we did so much, and saw So many of the aspects of life here in the Canary Islands. From the churches and nativities, the historic town centres and the ghastly touristy south side, the mountains, desert landscapes and forests to the volcanic summits and the sandy beaches.
I hope that your shoulder has responded well to the treatment from the physio, and the strapping is helping. Don’t forget to do your exercises!
We waved you off (eventually) and then Pappa and I drove along the front. You remember the white concert hall like a cobras head? Beside that there is a rocky hill that is covered with palm trees and other tropical plants. It is a botanical garden, and we raced along its pathways to the view point looking out over the sea. We got a lovely last view of you all, disappearing into the misty horizon.
Later on, back at the villa, your shipmate C’s father from Quebec came to dinner at our lovely restaurant, and we had such a friendly evening with him. We all three got on so very well. We are looking forwards to seeing him again in Miami.
The next day, Pappa was ill. He had sunstroke, I think, from standing watching the ship depart, and had a fever and chills and now has a cough. So we didn’t do much for that day, certainly not going to the English church as I had hoped. But never mind. We just rested quietly, and had a light lunch in the terrace cafe. Today we have bought more painkillers and a ventolin inhaler for him, and then had a quick trip into the city, where I bought the last pair of slippers the same as yours, but a paler grey, I think. We had some pasta for lunch and then headed back to the villa. On the way, however, Pappa diverted to visit a little vineyard he had heard about. ( The one here, Casa del vino, is shut on Mondays). It was well worth searching out, as we were personally shown around by the owner, who is producing the same wines as the original vineyard owner ( the first governor of the island, a Conquistador in the 1500s) so we really did find the “ Canary wine” that I was hoping to taste, that is written about in Shakespeare, and other classic literature.
So now we are all packed up. The fircones weighed nearly 4 kg and took up a whole side of a suitcase! Oops! Apparently the UK is totally snowed in, with minus 6 to minus 13 depending on the area, and icy as well. So we can only hope that our plane will arrive here tomorrow and that the roads will be cleared by the time we land. In the mean time, the grey clouds and morning drizzle here have turned into pouring rain, and we are ready to say adios to Tenerife.
With so much love my darling daughter,
Mamma.
lĂžrdag 25. november 2017
November 25
Dear Heidi,
Now I think that you have arrived at Agadir! Grandma and Grandpa loved Marrocco, they went there often after Christmas, to spend a few weeks in the sunshine. Today it is 8 years since Grandma died. It feels like forever and no time at all. You were just 10 years old. I wonder what all you remember of her? Aunty S has just started wearing one of the necklaces she inherited, that Grandma actually inherited herself, from her mother, my Grandma. S was thrilled to realise that she actually has a piece of “Suffragette jewellery” which is something that was used by women in the early 1900’s as a sort of code to show that they were supporters of Women’s suffrage. Fancy my grandma having such a thing! (She is the one in the photo I sent you, with my mother as the baby.)
We have had a lovely visit from B and S from Wales. They were only here two half days and the full day in between, but in that time we had bright sunshine and frost, 18 cm snow and then a rain/wind storm of the sort that fells trees and blows away rooves...
We went around locally a bit, and in to Oslo to eat at an Indian restaurant then to the ballet at the opera. It was a very special performance and I loved it! All through the dancing there was a video loop of the day and night, seasons around, of the fields here and of Bestemor and Bestefars Farm house and barns. The dancers danced through the video, dressed in white so that it was reflected of them too! The general theme was of how connected, rooted, to the land the farmer is, and how he depends on it, but so it depends on him, and is a weight on his life, tending to the land day in day out around the year, throughout his life and his marriage
Otherwise, I am catching up with everyday life, laundry and shopping, cooking and getting ready for Christmas, which will happen, even though we are away for three weeks beforehand!
I have looked carefully at our flat details, and I must prepare you...there is no bathtubđ I am sorry. But there will be plenty of hot water and a big shower! And a cosy bed đ
Today we have sent D. off to England to visit his chum O in Southampton. The one who is getting married next year, and whose family grow blueberries on their farm. He is coming home again on Monday, and then he has several weeks work to keep him busy whilst we are away. This afternoon Pappa and I went to the Julmarked at the lenser museum. Tomorrow it is Stir up Sunday, so I shall go to church and in the afternoon make my Christmas cake and mincemeat. Then it is about time to get the suitcases down and start putting things ready to come awayđ At the moment I still have all my summer clothes in my closet, and I have made your father laugh by trying on my swimsuit, which I haven’t worn since Australia....!!!
So now is your last chance to think of all the things your truly want me to bring. Do you really want a warmer sleeping bag? Or could that wait until March now? Talk to the crew... they probably know how cold it will be crossing the Atlantic, but I simply can’t think it will be cold once you get to South America and the Caribbean.
Also, please let me know if your shoulder is still hurting and when/if you are going to get it seen at the hospital. Don’t forget you might be best with a French speaking teacher, as Marrocco was a French colony and English might be tricky to explain things in.
Well that’s about it for tonight. We are so looking forwards to seeing you very soon now.
Lots and lots of love, from your Mamma xxx
Now I think that you have arrived at Agadir! Grandma and Grandpa loved Marrocco, they went there often after Christmas, to spend a few weeks in the sunshine. Today it is 8 years since Grandma died. It feels like forever and no time at all. You were just 10 years old. I wonder what all you remember of her? Aunty S has just started wearing one of the necklaces she inherited, that Grandma actually inherited herself, from her mother, my Grandma. S was thrilled to realise that she actually has a piece of “Suffragette jewellery” which is something that was used by women in the early 1900’s as a sort of code to show that they were supporters of Women’s suffrage. Fancy my grandma having such a thing! (She is the one in the photo I sent you, with my mother as the baby.)
We have had a lovely visit from B and S from Wales. They were only here two half days and the full day in between, but in that time we had bright sunshine and frost, 18 cm snow and then a rain/wind storm of the sort that fells trees and blows away rooves...
We went around locally a bit, and in to Oslo to eat at an Indian restaurant then to the ballet at the opera. It was a very special performance and I loved it! All through the dancing there was a video loop of the day and night, seasons around, of the fields here and of Bestemor and Bestefars Farm house and barns. The dancers danced through the video, dressed in white so that it was reflected of them too! The general theme was of how connected, rooted, to the land the farmer is, and how he depends on it, but so it depends on him, and is a weight on his life, tending to the land day in day out around the year, throughout his life and his marriage
Otherwise, I am catching up with everyday life, laundry and shopping, cooking and getting ready for Christmas, which will happen, even though we are away for three weeks beforehand!
I have looked carefully at our flat details, and I must prepare you...there is no bathtubđ I am sorry. But there will be plenty of hot water and a big shower! And a cosy bed đ
Today we have sent D. off to England to visit his chum O in Southampton. The one who is getting married next year, and whose family grow blueberries on their farm. He is coming home again on Monday, and then he has several weeks work to keep him busy whilst we are away. This afternoon Pappa and I went to the Julmarked at the lenser museum. Tomorrow it is Stir up Sunday, so I shall go to church and in the afternoon make my Christmas cake and mincemeat. Then it is about time to get the suitcases down and start putting things ready to come awayđ At the moment I still have all my summer clothes in my closet, and I have made your father laugh by trying on my swimsuit, which I haven’t worn since Australia....!!!
So now is your last chance to think of all the things your truly want me to bring. Do you really want a warmer sleeping bag? Or could that wait until March now? Talk to the crew... they probably know how cold it will be crossing the Atlantic, but I simply can’t think it will be cold once you get to South America and the Caribbean.
Also, please let me know if your shoulder is still hurting and when/if you are going to get it seen at the hospital. Don’t forget you might be best with a French speaking teacher, as Marrocco was a French colony and English might be tricky to explain things in.
Well that’s about it for tonight. We are so looking forwards to seeing you very soon now.
Lots and lots of love, from your Mamma xxx
mandag 20. november 2017
November 20th
Dear Heidi,
I hope that your shoulder is getting better now. Are you still off climbing and hauling?
We have been extremely busy today. Pappa bought 50 kg apples and he and I and D spent over 4 hours ( I kid you not) washing and slicing, mincing and pressing them. We got nigh on 25 litres apple juice, which is now set to ferment!
The kitchen was in a total mess after all that, so it was good to have N as usual, but finishing up in. The kitchen instead of starting there.
We have also brought the fish indoors, and now that they are acclimatised they seriously needed a change of water. Now that is done too, and we can actually see them in the tank. With a proper filter and a bubbling air supply they should be happier than last year.
Well, that might not seem like a busy day, but in fact it was, so I shall wish you a good night and sweet dreams,
With love, mamma xx
I hope that your shoulder is getting better now. Are you still off climbing and hauling?
We have been extremely busy today. Pappa bought 50 kg apples and he and I and D spent over 4 hours ( I kid you not) washing and slicing, mincing and pressing them. We got nigh on 25 litres apple juice, which is now set to ferment!
The kitchen was in a total mess after all that, so it was good to have N as usual, but finishing up in. The kitchen instead of starting there.
We have also brought the fish indoors, and now that they are acclimatised they seriously needed a change of water. Now that is done too, and we can actually see them in the tank. With a proper filter and a bubbling air supply they should be happier than last year.
Well, that might not seem like a busy day, but in fact it was, so I shall wish you a good night and sweet dreams,
With love, mamma xx
sĂžndag 19. november 2017
November 19th
Dear Heidi,
It seems to me that the weather must be lovely where you are. Did you swim today?
We have had more snow, although not a lot, and the weather is turning really cold, going down towards minus 10 in the night. We have S and B from Wales staying midweek, and we are trying to heat up the & Shed for them to sleep in. I have bought a new flannel set for the bed, and two hot water bottles so I really hope they will be cosy.
We have finally spun the honey, and are now engaged in stirring it every day...it sits on the schoolroom table, and I am anxious that my sewing machine does not get too sticky!! I think I told you that Ben and Jerry are in there too; still in rather green water...I must deal with them properly tomorrow. They need cleaning and some decorations in their tank at least. Pappa has an oxygen pump too, but I think it might need burying under a rock or two, when we tried it it was like having an underwater volcano in the tank!
Pappa and I went down to the St Edmunds bazaar on Saturday and had a jolly good time. Pappa finally met the new chaplain and we spent a lot of time catching up with people we knew. I spent a little time shopping and found some lovely books and a Christmas jigsaw puzzle. Afterwards we went to see Tante A in Oslo where Pappa and D changed her tyres, just in time I think. She is busy working on wreaths for her next book. D was also helping her to put up some shelves and of course lots of outdoor garden jobs. He eloped me too today, carrying the geraniums and dahlia roots down into the “black hole of Calcutta”in the cellar. Later on that day I searched everywhere for my phone and none of us could even hear it, but luckily D thought backwards and of course you can guess it had fallen into one of the plant pots and was also in the black hole...
We are still enjoying Alt for Norge on tv. It is the finals next week. It has been really quite good this season and I can’t guess who will win.
I can’t think of any more news just now, so I will wish you a gentle night and a good sleep. Love from your own
Mamma xxx
It seems to me that the weather must be lovely where you are. Did you swim today?
We have had more snow, although not a lot, and the weather is turning really cold, going down towards minus 10 in the night. We have S and B from Wales staying midweek, and we are trying to heat up the & Shed for them to sleep in. I have bought a new flannel set for the bed, and two hot water bottles so I really hope they will be cosy.
We have finally spun the honey, and are now engaged in stirring it every day...it sits on the schoolroom table, and I am anxious that my sewing machine does not get too sticky!! I think I told you that Ben and Jerry are in there too; still in rather green water...I must deal with them properly tomorrow. They need cleaning and some decorations in their tank at least. Pappa has an oxygen pump too, but I think it might need burying under a rock or two, when we tried it it was like having an underwater volcano in the tank!
Pappa and I went down to the St Edmunds bazaar on Saturday and had a jolly good time. Pappa finally met the new chaplain and we spent a lot of time catching up with people we knew. I spent a little time shopping and found some lovely books and a Christmas jigsaw puzzle. Afterwards we went to see Tante A in Oslo where Pappa and D changed her tyres, just in time I think. She is busy working on wreaths for her next book. D was also helping her to put up some shelves and of course lots of outdoor garden jobs. He eloped me too today, carrying the geraniums and dahlia roots down into the “black hole of Calcutta”in the cellar. Later on that day I searched everywhere for my phone and none of us could even hear it, but luckily D thought backwards and of course you can guess it had fallen into one of the plant pots and was also in the black hole...
We are still enjoying Alt for Norge on tv. It is the finals next week. It has been really quite good this season and I can’t guess who will win.
I can’t think of any more news just now, so I will wish you a gentle night and a good sleep. Love from your own
Mamma xxx
onsdag 15. november 2017
November 15
Dear Heidi,
We still have several cm of snow, even though the sun has been shining all day. Pappa and I went out into the greenhouse to tidy up a bit and to rescue some of the bulbs and plants that now need to come indoors. We also rescued Ben and Jerry, who were hiding at the bottom of their barrel, in very sludgy water indeed! Pappa has found his old fish tank (packed away in newspaper from 1984) so now they are happily swimming around in the schoolroom on the bookshelf. The ice over the barrel was already 10 cm thick and Pappa had to chop out a hole with an axe.
I have been tidying up the schoolroom ( ha ha, an everlasting job) and have packed away two Ikea bags of fabric / projects and only left the mending. I am hoping that the men will forget about these items so I can pack them away too!! I must admit that I do love our schoolroom when it is tidy.
The garden birds are really busy at the feeders everyday. We are already seeing the woodpeckers and bullfinches that don’t usually come until later in the winter. I wonder if this means we are going to have a cold winter at last.
It’s funny to think that just a few days ago we were in England where there were still flowers out.
Ah well, such is life in Norway.
I expect you will be seeing almond blossom everywhere once you get to Morocco.
Love always,
Mamma.
We still have several cm of snow, even though the sun has been shining all day. Pappa and I went out into the greenhouse to tidy up a bit and to rescue some of the bulbs and plants that now need to come indoors. We also rescued Ben and Jerry, who were hiding at the bottom of their barrel, in very sludgy water indeed! Pappa has found his old fish tank (packed away in newspaper from 1984) so now they are happily swimming around in the schoolroom on the bookshelf. The ice over the barrel was already 10 cm thick and Pappa had to chop out a hole with an axe.
I have been tidying up the schoolroom ( ha ha, an everlasting job) and have packed away two Ikea bags of fabric / projects and only left the mending. I am hoping that the men will forget about these items so I can pack them away too!! I must admit that I do love our schoolroom when it is tidy.
The garden birds are really busy at the feeders everyday. We are already seeing the woodpeckers and bullfinches that don’t usually come until later in the winter. I wonder if this means we are going to have a cold winter at last.
It’s funny to think that just a few days ago we were in England where there were still flowers out.
Ah well, such is life in Norway.
I expect you will be seeing almond blossom everywhere once you get to Morocco.
Love always,
Mamma.
tirsdag 14. november 2017
November 14
Dear Heidi,
How the days have flown, but we have spoken quite often! So as you know, we have been over to England and W’s confirmation went brilliantly. It was a very successful occasion, overwhelming for him I’m sure, but on the whole people found lots of nice things to say at the dinner, and all seemed to find people to chat with too.
Afterwards Pappa, W and I went on a cider safari, to visit lots of cider farms and to find out just how it is made...!
Almost as soon as we got home, Aunty S came over for a long weekend to celebrate my birthday. The weather was marvellous, cold, crisp and snowy, just a few cm and a bright blue sky. She took loads of photos as we drove over to Sweden. We had lunch in a cafe, and puttered around the little shops and the market, and drove home again via the supermarket and then down the sukkerstien into the setting sun. The lakes were mirror still and the trees all frosted with just enough snow to be pretty.
Then on Sunday we went to church for Remembrance Sunday and had tea and cake, just for the family in the afternoon.
S went home on Monday. We had also had D’s friend from Kristiansand over too, for the Gaming expo in Lillestrom. Pappa has been ploughing,but now the ground is too frozen.
I am madly washing bed linen because next week B and S are coming over from Wales! We are hoping to go to the opera with them, as KS has a new ballet he has made, about being a farmer. The mind boggles, but I have supplied him with a sheeps bell, as requested. Who else would have one tucked away in the basement?? Fancy my sheep’s bell being in the operađ!
D is still working a few days a week, never really sure when or if they will need him. It’s not brilliant, but it is a job, experience and driving practice too.
Now I am starting to pack down all the autumn decorations and am preparing for Advent. With snow on the ground and the trees bare, it certainly is beginning to feel like time for the Christmas cds!
All the animals are fine, well, those with names... the hens had stopped laying weeks ago, so we only kept them on to pick through the flower beds as we tidied them up for the winter. They are gone now, and we will get more in the spring. Now I have to remember to buy eggs each week! B is a little stiff in the mornings, (just like me) but otherwise fine.
Well you will never guess... in the middle of the snow storm today they finally came to replace the big broken window in the sitting room. The one that was cracked across the bottom, and has been full of condensation ever since the weather turned cold. Honestly it took them 15 minutes and now it is clear and beautiful again. And they replaced the square of glass in the hall door...the one that D jumps through to go outside. He was mightily puzzled that it had changed, but was not so silly as to try to jump through it anyway. I do believe the boys were disappointed, mean old things!
Well now that is just about all the news. I trust you got the photo I sent yesterday. Soon you will all be on your way again, and hopefully to warmer days.
Lots of love from us all here,
and especially from your own
Mamma xxx
How the days have flown, but we have spoken quite often! So as you know, we have been over to England and W’s confirmation went brilliantly. It was a very successful occasion, overwhelming for him I’m sure, but on the whole people found lots of nice things to say at the dinner, and all seemed to find people to chat with too.
Afterwards Pappa, W and I went on a cider safari, to visit lots of cider farms and to find out just how it is made...!
Almost as soon as we got home, Aunty S came over for a long weekend to celebrate my birthday. The weather was marvellous, cold, crisp and snowy, just a few cm and a bright blue sky. She took loads of photos as we drove over to Sweden. We had lunch in a cafe, and puttered around the little shops and the market, and drove home again via the supermarket and then down the sukkerstien into the setting sun. The lakes were mirror still and the trees all frosted with just enough snow to be pretty.
Then on Sunday we went to church for Remembrance Sunday and had tea and cake, just for the family in the afternoon.
S went home on Monday. We had also had D’s friend from Kristiansand over too, for the Gaming expo in Lillestrom. Pappa has been ploughing,but now the ground is too frozen.
I am madly washing bed linen because next week B and S are coming over from Wales! We are hoping to go to the opera with them, as KS has a new ballet he has made, about being a farmer. The mind boggles, but I have supplied him with a sheeps bell, as requested. Who else would have one tucked away in the basement?? Fancy my sheep’s bell being in the operađ!
D is still working a few days a week, never really sure when or if they will need him. It’s not brilliant, but it is a job, experience and driving practice too.
Now I am starting to pack down all the autumn decorations and am preparing for Advent. With snow on the ground and the trees bare, it certainly is beginning to feel like time for the Christmas cds!
All the animals are fine, well, those with names... the hens had stopped laying weeks ago, so we only kept them on to pick through the flower beds as we tidied them up for the winter. They are gone now, and we will get more in the spring. Now I have to remember to buy eggs each week! B is a little stiff in the mornings, (just like me) but otherwise fine.
Well you will never guess... in the middle of the snow storm today they finally came to replace the big broken window in the sitting room. The one that was cracked across the bottom, and has been full of condensation ever since the weather turned cold. Honestly it took them 15 minutes and now it is clear and beautiful again. And they replaced the square of glass in the hall door...the one that D jumps through to go outside. He was mightily puzzled that it had changed, but was not so silly as to try to jump through it anyway. I do believe the boys were disappointed, mean old things!
Well now that is just about all the news. I trust you got the photo I sent yesterday. Soon you will all be on your way again, and hopefully to warmer days.
Lots of love from us all here,
and especially from your own
Mamma xxx
tirsdag 24. oktober 2017
October 24th
Dear Heidi,
I have had so many photos from you and we have spoken too, and I am really enjoying all your adventures.
In the meantime Pappa and I have been to fetch W from school, and we had a lovely visit with lots of people and in many places! First we went to Wisley, and Pappa bought so many bulbs we had to buy another suitcase to put them in! We then drove to visit Aunty A, and had supper in a proper English pub. Yes, I had venison sausages, cabbage and mash! That night we stayed at the same hotel in Midhurst that we had our honeymoon in! We even got the honeymoon suite, which is actually three rooms, where the first Queen Elizabeth is supposed to have slept. It was really lovely. The next morning we went down to see Grandad for lunch and then the men went to the Mazda dealer to buy car parts, whilst I went to the shops....I was looking for a dress to wear for W’s confirmation. No luck.
We were supposed to drive on to Wells that night, but decided to try our usual rooms near the school and were able to get our favourite rooms there too. We actually had supper in the farmhouse kitchen that evening, a la famille, which was fun. (Ham, eggs and chips, and pear& peach crumble for pudding).
After breakfast, various errands in town, and a trip up to Wells to sort out the menu, tables, decorations and rooms at the hotel, ready for the big day next month. Pappa sensibly located the most useful car parks for all our guests, and then we did buy a nice black dress for me, with a jacket and scarf. I just hope and pray it doesn’t rain!
On the way back down to Cannington we stopped at a real cider Farm, and watched the apples being pressed, and tasted (and bought) some different ciders to bring home. Then we had to buy some towel s from Dunelm to wrap the cider in in case it leaked in the suitcases;) Fish n chips Friday that evening!
On Saturday it was time for the Harvest Festival at st Mary’s. The cross country race was cancelled because yet another hurricane was fast approaching the SW of England. We finished our supermarket shopping, yes, more cheese, and the suet, currants and sultanas I need for Christmas baking, then whizzed up to see Aunty S in Wiltshire. Whilst she and I chatted, Pappa and W stacked two pallets of logs for her. Another yummy pub supper and off to the hotel at Gatwick for a 6:30 am flight the next morning. We were all pretty exhausted on Sunday, and D and the animals were all glad to see us home again.
Since then it has been raining again. Pappa has washed and oiled the harvester, and tucked it up for the winter. I have been catching up with laundry and grocery shopping as usual. W has finally got his birthday present, and I think he is pleased. (I don’t know for sure, but he is sitting 100% of the time in front of the screen with his headphones on!!!)
So now you are off to Rome, and We have been sent the planned activities for your very busy few days. Have a fabulous time; keep an eye on your purse and phone, pick pockets are professional in Rome. Take care of yourself and your friends, and if you need to stop and write, phone, hunt for a pen or whatever, stand against a wall, so you are safer!
Lots of love and hugs,
Mamma.
I have had so many photos from you and we have spoken too, and I am really enjoying all your adventures.
In the meantime Pappa and I have been to fetch W from school, and we had a lovely visit with lots of people and in many places! First we went to Wisley, and Pappa bought so many bulbs we had to buy another suitcase to put them in! We then drove to visit Aunty A, and had supper in a proper English pub. Yes, I had venison sausages, cabbage and mash! That night we stayed at the same hotel in Midhurst that we had our honeymoon in! We even got the honeymoon suite, which is actually three rooms, where the first Queen Elizabeth is supposed to have slept. It was really lovely. The next morning we went down to see Grandad for lunch and then the men went to the Mazda dealer to buy car parts, whilst I went to the shops....I was looking for a dress to wear for W’s confirmation. No luck.
We were supposed to drive on to Wells that night, but decided to try our usual rooms near the school and were able to get our favourite rooms there too. We actually had supper in the farmhouse kitchen that evening, a la famille, which was fun. (Ham, eggs and chips, and pear& peach crumble for pudding).
After breakfast, various errands in town, and a trip up to Wells to sort out the menu, tables, decorations and rooms at the hotel, ready for the big day next month. Pappa sensibly located the most useful car parks for all our guests, and then we did buy a nice black dress for me, with a jacket and scarf. I just hope and pray it doesn’t rain!
On the way back down to Cannington we stopped at a real cider Farm, and watched the apples being pressed, and tasted (and bought) some different ciders to bring home. Then we had to buy some towel s from Dunelm to wrap the cider in in case it leaked in the suitcases;) Fish n chips Friday that evening!
On Saturday it was time for the Harvest Festival at st Mary’s. The cross country race was cancelled because yet another hurricane was fast approaching the SW of England. We finished our supermarket shopping, yes, more cheese, and the suet, currants and sultanas I need for Christmas baking, then whizzed up to see Aunty S in Wiltshire. Whilst she and I chatted, Pappa and W stacked two pallets of logs for her. Another yummy pub supper and off to the hotel at Gatwick for a 6:30 am flight the next morning. We were all pretty exhausted on Sunday, and D and the animals were all glad to see us home again.
Since then it has been raining again. Pappa has washed and oiled the harvester, and tucked it up for the winter. I have been catching up with laundry and grocery shopping as usual. W has finally got his birthday present, and I think he is pleased. (I don’t know for sure, but he is sitting 100% of the time in front of the screen with his headphones on!!!)
So now you are off to Rome, and We have been sent the planned activities for your very busy few days. Have a fabulous time; keep an eye on your purse and phone, pick pockets are professional in Rome. Take care of yourself and your friends, and if you need to stop and write, phone, hunt for a pen or whatever, stand against a wall, so you are safer!
Lots of love and hugs,
Mamma.
mandag 16. oktober 2017
October 16th
Dear Heidi,
How lovely to see all the photos you sent! Thank you.
Here at home, our hunters have cleaned up nicely, and dumped all their smoky clothes into the laundry basket for me. It has been a lovely day, warm and sunny and I was able to get two loads dry outside on the washing line. The sweet peas, marigolds and roses still have a few blossoms and the dahlias are going strong. I have done a bit of tidying up in the garden and planted all D’s seedling trees for him. Pappa has been continuing his spraying on the fields, but they are too wet to start ploughing still.
W sent me a photo of “the moon” which he took at 14:30 today. I saw the BBC news this evening and apparently all over England the sun turned red today, because of the hurricane in the Azores and the forest fires in Spain and Portugal. I suspect his Moon was in fact the sun! I am so pleased that he thought to photograph it and send it to me!
I forgot to tell you that the ice cream truck is still coming around, ever hopeful; and that on Sunday Bella howled and howled and howled at him! It’s funny how she has always hated that truck!
Now the rain is beating down on the balcony and I need to close the door.
Lots of love from us all here,
Mamma
How lovely to see all the photos you sent! Thank you.
Here at home, our hunters have cleaned up nicely, and dumped all their smoky clothes into the laundry basket for me. It has been a lovely day, warm and sunny and I was able to get two loads dry outside on the washing line. The sweet peas, marigolds and roses still have a few blossoms and the dahlias are going strong. I have done a bit of tidying up in the garden and planted all D’s seedling trees for him. Pappa has been continuing his spraying on the fields, but they are too wet to start ploughing still.
W sent me a photo of “the moon” which he took at 14:30 today. I saw the BBC news this evening and apparently all over England the sun turned red today, because of the hurricane in the Azores and the forest fires in Spain and Portugal. I suspect his Moon was in fact the sun! I am so pleased that he thought to photograph it and send it to me!
I forgot to tell you that the ice cream truck is still coming around, ever hopeful; and that on Sunday Bella howled and howled and howled at him! It’s funny how she has always hated that truck!
Now the rain is beating down on the balcony and I need to close the door.
Lots of love from us all here,
Mamma
lĂžrdag 14. oktober 2017
October 14th
Dear Heidi,
You are finally arriving in France! Bienvenue!
I am nearing the end of my week home alone, although I am lucky and have had more company than usual. D was of course here in the evenings Monday through Wednesday, and on Thursday he joined the hunters again. E and I enjoyed a misty almost spooky drive to Sweden on Thursday. I bought more tea, and a few groceries but not a great deal. It was the tea I really wanted! On Friday I drove out to see my friend A, and then drove her daughter E to work at SFO . C has finished his studies in the Uk and returned home reluctantly, to begin looking for a job. It is three years next week since their brother T died, so all is a bit solomn in that home at the moment. However E is learning to drive, and I am expecting them here this afternoon. I have baked a blackberry and apple cake to celebrate if she manages to make it this far!
I also made welsh cakes this morning because uncle BA came over with his friend K for morning coffee and to discuss their trip to England in November.
I am expecting the boys home tomorrow evening, but have no idea when...it all depends on the weather and the moose. So far the team have not got the full quota of animals, and they think that this is because there are so many more wolves in that area than in former years.
On Wednesday Pappa and I are off to England ourselves, to attend the harvest festival at Cannington and collect W for his half term holiday. We are going a few days early to have a little less pressure on the schedule and perhaps enjoy the trip a little rather than just belting along the motorway there and back again! I would like to buy a new dress for the Confirmation service too.
Well, maybe you are anchoring up by now. I hope that you have some interesting activities to undertake in Toulon. Don’t forget to buy lavender bags to put into your clothes chest! I look forwards to hearing from you soon,
Love always,
Mamma.
You are finally arriving in France! Bienvenue!
I am nearing the end of my week home alone, although I am lucky and have had more company than usual. D was of course here in the evenings Monday through Wednesday, and on Thursday he joined the hunters again. E and I enjoyed a misty almost spooky drive to Sweden on Thursday. I bought more tea, and a few groceries but not a great deal. It was the tea I really wanted! On Friday I drove out to see my friend A, and then drove her daughter E to work at SFO . C has finished his studies in the Uk and returned home reluctantly, to begin looking for a job. It is three years next week since their brother T died, so all is a bit solomn in that home at the moment. However E is learning to drive, and I am expecting them here this afternoon. I have baked a blackberry and apple cake to celebrate if she manages to make it this far!
I also made welsh cakes this morning because uncle BA came over with his friend K for morning coffee and to discuss their trip to England in November.
I am expecting the boys home tomorrow evening, but have no idea when...it all depends on the weather and the moose. So far the team have not got the full quota of animals, and they think that this is because there are so many more wolves in that area than in former years.
On Wednesday Pappa and I are off to England ourselves, to attend the harvest festival at Cannington and collect W for his half term holiday. We are going a few days early to have a little less pressure on the schedule and perhaps enjoy the trip a little rather than just belting along the motorway there and back again! I would like to buy a new dress for the Confirmation service too.
Well, maybe you are anchoring up by now. I hope that you have some interesting activities to undertake in Toulon. Don’t forget to buy lavender bags to put into your clothes chest! I look forwards to hearing from you soon,
Love always,
Mamma.
onsdag 11. oktober 2017
October 11th
Dear Heidi,
I am sorry to hear that one of the sailing crew has a leg infection and needs medical attention. I hope that the person is able to continue with the trip afterwards. So you will be visiting the north shore of Mallorca too!
Everyone here is well, although it is rain rain raining again! How quickly the sunny days flew by and how easy to take them for granted. At least I got some laundry done and dried outside. Each time I peg things out I think this must be for the last time this year, so each added time is a wonderful bonus.
Pappa is still up at the hunting cabin. So far the team have shot five moose, and they hope to get the full quota with another four, but Pappa says they are not as easy to locate as they used to be, because of the wolves. Around here, (Aurskog HĂžland) newspapers report that there are so many wolves that it isn’t safe to hunt moose with loose dogs anymore, and people are starting to put bullet proof vests on the dogs to prevent injury from the wolf bites! Perhaps they should think more about taking the Barnehage children out into the forest too!
I am kept very busy trying to help everyone that finally decided to come to W’s confirmation in Wells. The rooms I have booked at the hotel are now all full, and I still have people wanting space! Others want help arranging train or car journeys, and I am trying not to get them all in a tangle and put four people into one room....or have people arriving in Wales and looking for the Cathedral!
D is working most days now, a big property that he has been to several days already, and will finish up tomorrow. Then he will join Pappa for the weekend. I am having a day out tomorrow, off with my friend E, and we might do a loppemarked at the weekend! W has obviously been doing something right, because I had a note today from his housemaster to say he has earned 22 house points so far this half term.
Otherwise back home, I have put out just a few things to decorate for Halloween đ and the fire and candles are lit every evening. Today D helped me to sort through the hats, gloves and scarves, and tidy away the summer shoes. I even got around to doing a little mending with my sewing machine!
We had a delicious lamb navarin for supper, followed by what was left of the pumpkin pie (a certain young cat who’s name begins with a D was the culprit there!)
I am still looking for the Petit Prince book you asked me to find...I think I need to venture over to the stabbur one of these days! I have started to listen to a BBC production of Hamlet on the radio. It is well done, and I hope the one I sent to you is as good. I don’t recall if it was a BBC one.
Good luck with writing your English notes on the City of Thieves and with your Mandarin test. I am so proud you did so well in your maths test!
Lots of love, always,
Mamma.
I am sorry to hear that one of the sailing crew has a leg infection and needs medical attention. I hope that the person is able to continue with the trip afterwards. So you will be visiting the north shore of Mallorca too!
Everyone here is well, although it is rain rain raining again! How quickly the sunny days flew by and how easy to take them for granted. At least I got some laundry done and dried outside. Each time I peg things out I think this must be for the last time this year, so each added time is a wonderful bonus.
Pappa is still up at the hunting cabin. So far the team have shot five moose, and they hope to get the full quota with another four, but Pappa says they are not as easy to locate as they used to be, because of the wolves. Around here, (Aurskog HĂžland) newspapers report that there are so many wolves that it isn’t safe to hunt moose with loose dogs anymore, and people are starting to put bullet proof vests on the dogs to prevent injury from the wolf bites! Perhaps they should think more about taking the Barnehage children out into the forest too!
I am kept very busy trying to help everyone that finally decided to come to W’s confirmation in Wells. The rooms I have booked at the hotel are now all full, and I still have people wanting space! Others want help arranging train or car journeys, and I am trying not to get them all in a tangle and put four people into one room....or have people arriving in Wales and looking for the Cathedral!
D is working most days now, a big property that he has been to several days already, and will finish up tomorrow. Then he will join Pappa for the weekend. I am having a day out tomorrow, off with my friend E, and we might do a loppemarked at the weekend! W has obviously been doing something right, because I had a note today from his housemaster to say he has earned 22 house points so far this half term.
Otherwise back home, I have put out just a few things to decorate for Halloween đ and the fire and candles are lit every evening. Today D helped me to sort through the hats, gloves and scarves, and tidy away the summer shoes. I even got around to doing a little mending with my sewing machine!
We had a delicious lamb navarin for supper, followed by what was left of the pumpkin pie (a certain young cat who’s name begins with a D was the culprit there!)
I am still looking for the Petit Prince book you asked me to find...I think I need to venture over to the stabbur one of these days! I have started to listen to a BBC production of Hamlet on the radio. It is well done, and I hope the one I sent to you is as good. I don’t recall if it was a BBC one.
Good luck with writing your English notes on the City of Thieves and with your Mandarin test. I am so proud you did so well in your maths test!
Lots of love, always,
Mamma.
onsdag 4. oktober 2017
October 4th
Dear Heidi,
I hope you are well and enjoying the warm weather. Here we are promised a fine day tomorrow at last, but also falling temperatures. It is getting close to zero in the nights now!
I did write to T, in Canada, and he wrote a nice letter back and also an Update newsletter to all the parents.
I hope that everything is going ok now and you are making progress both academically and actually...I see the Ship is still tacking back and forth!
Amazon are still being difficult about poor W’s birthday book, everyday they send a new estimation on when it will be delivered!
Other than that, I had a lovely visit from E this afternoon. She came for tea and banana cake and we had a jolly good catch up. I haven’t seen her for ages.
All for now, my darling girl,
Love, Mamma.
I hope you are well and enjoying the warm weather. Here we are promised a fine day tomorrow at last, but also falling temperatures. It is getting close to zero in the nights now!
I did write to T, in Canada, and he wrote a nice letter back and also an Update newsletter to all the parents.
I hope that everything is going ok now and you are making progress both academically and actually...I see the Ship is still tacking back and forth!
Amazon are still being difficult about poor W’s birthday book, everyday they send a new estimation on when it will be delivered!
Other than that, I had a lovely visit from E this afternoon. She came for tea and banana cake and we had a jolly good catch up. I haven’t seen her for ages.
All for now, my darling girl,
Love, Mamma.
tirsdag 3. oktober 2017
October 3rd
Dear Heidi,
I see on the map you are tacking back and forth, and probably getting in lots of sail training!
I also see the film on the sail: Jaws! Now who chose that?
We continue to have wild October weather, with the leaves being almost torn off the trees. It did clear a little this afternoon though, and I was able to get a line of washing dry, whilst Pappa washed his machinery! I have put away the outside cushions now, and am waiting ( and waiting) for a trailer to take the furniture away. There is still so much to do in the garden, and never anyone to help! One thing that T did before going home was to completely clear out the swamp that used to be a pond. One day it will get a new liner, and be replanted.
Over on the Farm, the top floor flat of the yellow house is now empty. The family there moved out this week. Soon an elderly lady will move in, just until her new flat in the village center is completed...probably after Christmas.
Bestemor has moved on in her war against the Iberian slugs. She is now focussing on digging up their nests, and getting rid of the eggs. I hope that it is of some help to her next year. She tells me she has destroyed over 150 batches of eggs!
I have frozen the last of my runner beans (the boys are very glad) so there are lots to look forwards to when you get home next year. I am still using up the zucchini and have a lot of beetroot that U brought me from the farm at her school...
On Friday the boys are going hunting, so I shall be quiet, home alone for a while, but my friend E has her belated birthday party on Saturday night and Pappa says he will come home for that, so not quiet for very long! Then, on Sunday, the new Chaplain starts at church; so I will definitely be going to meet him.
How are you getting on with the book you are reading? I was supposed to read along too, but got sidetracked by another book altogether. I will have more time to read next week.
With so much love,
From Mamma
I see on the map you are tacking back and forth, and probably getting in lots of sail training!
I also see the film on the sail: Jaws! Now who chose that?
We continue to have wild October weather, with the leaves being almost torn off the trees. It did clear a little this afternoon though, and I was able to get a line of washing dry, whilst Pappa washed his machinery! I have put away the outside cushions now, and am waiting ( and waiting) for a trailer to take the furniture away. There is still so much to do in the garden, and never anyone to help! One thing that T did before going home was to completely clear out the swamp that used to be a pond. One day it will get a new liner, and be replanted.
Over on the Farm, the top floor flat of the yellow house is now empty. The family there moved out this week. Soon an elderly lady will move in, just until her new flat in the village center is completed...probably after Christmas.
Bestemor has moved on in her war against the Iberian slugs. She is now focussing on digging up their nests, and getting rid of the eggs. I hope that it is of some help to her next year. She tells me she has destroyed over 150 batches of eggs!
I have frozen the last of my runner beans (the boys are very glad) so there are lots to look forwards to when you get home next year. I am still using up the zucchini and have a lot of beetroot that U brought me from the farm at her school...
On Friday the boys are going hunting, so I shall be quiet, home alone for a while, but my friend E has her belated birthday party on Saturday night and Pappa says he will come home for that, so not quiet for very long! Then, on Sunday, the new Chaplain starts at church; so I will definitely be going to meet him.
How are you getting on with the book you are reading? I was supposed to read along too, but got sidetracked by another book altogether. I will have more time to read next week.
With so much love,
From Mamma
sĂžndag 1. oktober 2017
October 1st
Dear Heidi,
Now you have been away a whole month. Here we have blustery wet weather, and I see you are having beautiful warm sunshiny days! Over near Kristiansand they are having floods and landslides, but here it is simple raining again.
Pappa and D brought all the pumpkins over, they are stacked around the pillar in the front yard. I have put a few cornstalks in the greenhouse to dry out, then I will add them to the pillar too. The Halloween calendar is up, and I shall put out the black and orange china on the dresser this week.
Finally they are finished with the harvest, all but the cleaning and greasing and putting into the barn again! It never ends! Then on Friday Pappa is going hunting for a week, and D will go with him when he has the day off from work. He is still only doing about 50%.
Tomorrow, of course, is W’s 14th Birthday!! Aunty S is going to visit him, which I’m pleased about. He will have to wait until half term for his present. At least he will have his HP book 3 on Tuesday. Sadly his mackerel fishing trip today was cancelled due to bad weather.
I hope that you have pleasant sailing weather, and enjoy all that fresh fruit I SAW YOU loading on the video!
Love and hugs,
Mamma.
Now you have been away a whole month. Here we have blustery wet weather, and I see you are having beautiful warm sunshiny days! Over near Kristiansand they are having floods and landslides, but here it is simple raining again.
Pappa and D brought all the pumpkins over, they are stacked around the pillar in the front yard. I have put a few cornstalks in the greenhouse to dry out, then I will add them to the pillar too. The Halloween calendar is up, and I shall put out the black and orange china on the dresser this week.
Finally they are finished with the harvest, all but the cleaning and greasing and putting into the barn again! It never ends! Then on Friday Pappa is going hunting for a week, and D will go with him when he has the day off from work. He is still only doing about 50%.
Tomorrow, of course, is W’s 14th Birthday!! Aunty S is going to visit him, which I’m pleased about. He will have to wait until half term for his present. At least he will have his HP book 3 on Tuesday. Sadly his mackerel fishing trip today was cancelled due to bad weather.
I hope that you have pleasant sailing weather, and enjoy all that fresh fruit I SAW YOU loading on the video!
Love and hugs,
Mamma.
fredag 29. september 2017
Michaelmas
Dear Heidi,
Today is the feast of Michaelmas! The day when the archangel Michael fought the fallen angel Satan and cast him out of heaven. We had stewed blackberries for supper to remember that he supposedly landed in a blackberry bush and cursed them from this day onwards. I put out three angels to represent Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, and of course the knight and the dragon fighting their eternal fight.
Here at the farm we are still drying the neighbours grain, and Pappa has been helping him to move the harvester back into storage for another year. D is still working two or three days a week in town, and next week he may stay over with Pappa's friend A, because he will be working in Drammen!
I have finally written and posted the invitations for W's confirmation and replies are beginning to trickle in.
Our weather remains dreary, but it is rather nice to get the wood stove lit in the afternoon and the candles too, once it gets dark.
Aunty S is visiting W at school on his birthday and has promised to take a chocolate birthday cake as a surprise! Then she is going on to visit her oldest school friend who lives in that funny little museum that we visited once, it is full of old radios and other things made of Bakelite, an early form of plastic.
I hope that you have a safe and warm journey onwards to Toulon. We will catch up again there.
With so much love,
Mamma.
Today is the feast of Michaelmas! The day when the archangel Michael fought the fallen angel Satan and cast him out of heaven. We had stewed blackberries for supper to remember that he supposedly landed in a blackberry bush and cursed them from this day onwards. I put out three angels to represent Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, and of course the knight and the dragon fighting their eternal fight.
Here at the farm we are still drying the neighbours grain, and Pappa has been helping him to move the harvester back into storage for another year. D is still working two or three days a week in town, and next week he may stay over with Pappa's friend A, because he will be working in Drammen!
I have finally written and posted the invitations for W's confirmation and replies are beginning to trickle in.
Our weather remains dreary, but it is rather nice to get the wood stove lit in the afternoon and the candles too, once it gets dark.
Aunty S is visiting W at school on his birthday and has promised to take a chocolate birthday cake as a surprise! Then she is going on to visit her oldest school friend who lives in that funny little museum that we visited once, it is full of old radios and other things made of Bakelite, an early form of plastic.
I hope that you have a safe and warm journey onwards to Toulon. We will catch up again there.
With so much love,
Mamma.
tirsdag 26. september 2017
26th September
Dear Heidi,
All is well at home, although we are still having dull damp weather. The maple trees are all turning the most beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red, but it is hard to get a good photo with such a dreary coloured sky behind them. I spent a happy morning sweeping leaves and tidying up the yard. The hanging baskets were particularly sad looking and I took them away. A few pots of heather and some mini pumpkins and a good tidy up generally made quite a bit of difference!
I was just sitting down to rest after lunch when I heard a loud buzzing. Lo and behold, there in the field was Uncle BA, setting down his helicopter! He had literally dropped in for a cup of tea! He is just beginning to start flying again. We had a nice chat over our pot of tea, and he was interested to hear how you are getting on. Sadly, he will be spending most of the autumn in Florida, so will not be coming to W's confirmation. Mind you, nobody will be coming if I don't write the invitations, which I have been meaning to do for a week now...
Pappa is still over at the grain dryer, sorting out the neighbours wheat for him. If it isn't one thing it's another. He and D are looking forwards to the hunting, which starts in October. I shall have to have all my girlfriends over to keep me company whilst they are gone.
I really hope your camera will dry out and your photos survive. Maybe you should find a plastic bag to pop your cup into in future? As for a water stained travel journal, what could be more authentic đ
Well, that's all for tonight,
Wishing you sweet dreams in your hammock,
Mamma.
All is well at home, although we are still having dull damp weather. The maple trees are all turning the most beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red, but it is hard to get a good photo with such a dreary coloured sky behind them. I spent a happy morning sweeping leaves and tidying up the yard. The hanging baskets were particularly sad looking and I took them away. A few pots of heather and some mini pumpkins and a good tidy up generally made quite a bit of difference!
I was just sitting down to rest after lunch when I heard a loud buzzing. Lo and behold, there in the field was Uncle BA, setting down his helicopter! He had literally dropped in for a cup of tea! He is just beginning to start flying again. We had a nice chat over our pot of tea, and he was interested to hear how you are getting on. Sadly, he will be spending most of the autumn in Florida, so will not be coming to W's confirmation. Mind you, nobody will be coming if I don't write the invitations, which I have been meaning to do for a week now...
Pappa is still over at the grain dryer, sorting out the neighbours wheat for him. If it isn't one thing it's another. He and D are looking forwards to the hunting, which starts in October. I shall have to have all my girlfriends over to keep me company whilst they are gone.
I really hope your camera will dry out and your photos survive. Maybe you should find a plastic bag to pop your cup into in future? As for a water stained travel journal, what could be more authentic đ
Well, that's all for tonight,
Wishing you sweet dreams in your hammock,
Mamma.
lĂžrdag 23. september 2017
23rd September.
Dear Heidi,
Suddenly it is the weekend and I haven't written since Tuesday! But we have had a chance to talk and text, and to hear about your visit to Portugal. Now you are down towards Spain, and the weather must be warming up. Goodbye Autumn for you I think!
I am sitting here in my corner chair, with the fire lit and candles burning, peaceful and quiet by myself. The boys are out at a coffee party, but I was simply not in the mood for sitting and chatting and listening to the old ladies gossiping. I had a lovely bath and a cheese toastie and a glass of ginger wine to soothe my curmudgeonly mood. Outside it is dark and yes, still raining!
When you get to Cadiz you must try to send W a birthday card, if you can find one. You can find the school address online. You can even show the school website video to your chums to prove that you have really weird parents who send all their children to perculiar schools!đ
Well, miss B is fast asleep and the cats are outside somewhere. Time for bed, me too, I think.
Love you always,
Mamma
Suddenly it is the weekend and I haven't written since Tuesday! But we have had a chance to talk and text, and to hear about your visit to Portugal. Now you are down towards Spain, and the weather must be warming up. Goodbye Autumn for you I think!
I am sitting here in my corner chair, with the fire lit and candles burning, peaceful and quiet by myself. The boys are out at a coffee party, but I was simply not in the mood for sitting and chatting and listening to the old ladies gossiping. I had a lovely bath and a cheese toastie and a glass of ginger wine to soothe my curmudgeonly mood. Outside it is dark and yes, still raining!
When you get to Cadiz you must try to send W a birthday card, if you can find one. You can find the school address online. You can even show the school website video to your chums to prove that you have really weird parents who send all their children to perculiar schools!đ
Well, miss B is fast asleep and the cats are outside somewhere. Time for bed, me too, I think.
Love you always,
Mamma
tirsdag 19. september 2017
September 19th
Dear Heidi,
Just a quick hello and a hug and a line to say we collected the little car from Drammen today, and towed it home on a trailer. You can see it on D's Facebook page.
You two will have fun next summer! It is tucked away in the barn now.
Lots of love,
Mamma.
Just a quick hello and a hug and a line to say we collected the little car from Drammen today, and towed it home on a trailer. You can see it on D's Facebook page.
You two will have fun next summer! It is tucked away in the barn now.
Lots of love,
Mamma.
mandag 18. september 2017
September 18th
Dear Heidi,
Today we were woken by your phone call! Goodness, it was wonderful to hear your voice!
You have arrived in Oporto, Portugal, and I am sure that it felt jolly queer to be walking on terra firma again. I hope you and your watch find somewhere nice to eat supper, and you are able to buy a jumper and warmer pyjamas for yourself.
Grandad has gone home today, he only fell out of W's bed once (!) He said it was quite comfortable if he didn't have to move or turn over... The little car has arrived in Drammen today, so we may, possibly, go and get it tomorrow. Depending on the weather... it is due to rain again tonight.
Meanwhile everyone is still out in the fields, harrowing and seeding and hauling bales. I am madly doing laundry whilst the sun shines, and remembering to keep on watering the flowerpots. T has pulled up all the bulrushes and seedling trees from the pond, and now it looks like a mud puddle! I think the mint will quickly grow back, and I needed to get it done before the frogs hibernate. I am thinking of putting the goldfish into it for the winter, they have grown so much this summer!
Well, have a super time at school in the OBS, and during your free time shore leave. Don't get lost or left behind!!
With love to you,
Your Mamma.
Today we were woken by your phone call! Goodness, it was wonderful to hear your voice!
You have arrived in Oporto, Portugal, and I am sure that it felt jolly queer to be walking on terra firma again. I hope you and your watch find somewhere nice to eat supper, and you are able to buy a jumper and warmer pyjamas for yourself.
Grandad has gone home today, he only fell out of W's bed once (!) He said it was quite comfortable if he didn't have to move or turn over... The little car has arrived in Drammen today, so we may, possibly, go and get it tomorrow. Depending on the weather... it is due to rain again tonight.
Meanwhile everyone is still out in the fields, harrowing and seeding and hauling bales. I am madly doing laundry whilst the sun shines, and remembering to keep on watering the flowerpots. T has pulled up all the bulrushes and seedling trees from the pond, and now it looks like a mud puddle! I think the mint will quickly grow back, and I needed to get it done before the frogs hibernate. I am thinking of putting the goldfish into it for the winter, they have grown so much this summer!
Well, have a super time at school in the OBS, and during your free time shore leave. Don't get lost or left behind!!
With love to you,
Your Mamma.
sĂžndag 17. september 2017
September 17th
Dear Heidi,
How wonderful to chat by text this evening! I am so glad you are ok, and are cuddled up in your blanket at night. I am sure you are all very glad indeed to be back on full water rations, and to get some laundry done! I can't imagine how you get it all dry... the mind boggles at the thought of laundry hung from every available rope and sail!!
We have had a busy weekend, with drier weather at last. Every farmer is out with their combine harvesters, trying to get the last of the fields cleared. Pappa D, T and Bestefar have all been working full out. Grandad and I have been keeping them all fed, driving around with my meals on wheels deliveries! We also went to BjĂžrkelangen to the food festival there, and had coffee with my friend A. R was playing the piano for some of his students in a show.
Today we went to Sorumsand to see the little train there. Grandad took lots of photos of the engineering parts of the locomotive of course, and I took some others of the train!
I spoke to W at school, he is ok too.
Lots of love, and hugs,
Mamma.
How wonderful to chat by text this evening! I am so glad you are ok, and are cuddled up in your blanket at night. I am sure you are all very glad indeed to be back on full water rations, and to get some laundry done! I can't imagine how you get it all dry... the mind boggles at the thought of laundry hung from every available rope and sail!!
We have had a busy weekend, with drier weather at last. Every farmer is out with their combine harvesters, trying to get the last of the fields cleared. Pappa D, T and Bestefar have all been working full out. Grandad and I have been keeping them all fed, driving around with my meals on wheels deliveries! We also went to BjĂžrkelangen to the food festival there, and had coffee with my friend A. R was playing the piano for some of his students in a show.
Today we went to Sorumsand to see the little train there. Grandad took lots of photos of the engineering parts of the locomotive of course, and I took some others of the train!
I spoke to W at school, he is ok too.
Lots of love, and hugs,
Mamma.
torsdag 14. september 2017
September the 14th
Dear Heidi,
Another day of rainy weather, but I did manage to get out and pick lots of beans for the freezer, and yes, even more zucchini! Pappa and D went over to the farm to plant Bestefars birthday pear tree. Grandad and I went too, in a supervisory capacity, and I must say the tree was planted beautifully!
We are dehydrating the honey in your bedroom. I won't be surprised if everything you own smells delightfully of honey for ever more, certainly the whole house smells lovely, and the bees think so too!
We missed you very much this evening as we all sat and watched the Guardians of the Galaxy 2 DVD. I wonder what you are all getting up to in the evenings? Have you eaten all your tuck yet?
Lots of love, always,
Mamma.
Another day of rainy weather, but I did manage to get out and pick lots of beans for the freezer, and yes, even more zucchini! Pappa and D went over to the farm to plant Bestefars birthday pear tree. Grandad and I went too, in a supervisory capacity, and I must say the tree was planted beautifully!
We are dehydrating the honey in your bedroom. I won't be surprised if everything you own smells delightfully of honey for ever more, certainly the whole house smells lovely, and the bees think so too!
We missed you very much this evening as we all sat and watched the Guardians of the Galaxy 2 DVD. I wonder what you are all getting up to in the evenings? Have you eaten all your tuck yet?
Lots of love, always,
Mamma.
onsdag 13. september 2017
September 13th
Dear Heidi,
Hurrah, you are on your way again!
I have had a gently busy day, sorting out the house and garden, feeding the fish (who were very hungry!), emptying the water out of the pots on the balcony and watering other more sheltered pots!
I went shopping with Pappa and Grandad, and bought bread and milk, ham and something for lunch and something for dinner ( fish burgers and lamb stew with dumplings) and all the other things the boys had run out of whilst I was away!!
This evening we joined D and tante A at the Botanic Gardens and had a guided tour of some of the exceptional trees in their autumn colours...except they weren't yet and it heaved down with rain! Honestly the pathways were rivers and the only colours were the mass of umbrellas! But it was rather nice and autumny all the same and good to get out for a walk, even if we drove into the city to do it!
D picked up lots of nuts and seeds to plant of course.
Safe voyaging my darling,
Love Mamma
Hurrah, you are on your way again!
I have had a gently busy day, sorting out the house and garden, feeding the fish (who were very hungry!), emptying the water out of the pots on the balcony and watering other more sheltered pots!
I went shopping with Pappa and Grandad, and bought bread and milk, ham and something for lunch and something for dinner ( fish burgers and lamb stew with dumplings) and all the other things the boys had run out of whilst I was away!!
This evening we joined D and tante A at the Botanic Gardens and had a guided tour of some of the exceptional trees in their autumn colours...except they weren't yet and it heaved down with rain! Honestly the pathways were rivers and the only colours were the mass of umbrellas! But it was rather nice and autumny all the same and good to get out for a walk, even if we drove into the city to do it!
D picked up lots of nuts and seeds to plant of course.
Safe voyaging my darling,
Love Mamma
tirsdag 12. september 2017
September 12th
Dear Heidi,
Well, I have been and come back again and I see you are still safely anchored up in Devon.
W stepped back into school life like going into another world ( which it is really) and I quickly felt superfluous! I had an early night and hopped back onto the train to Gatwick where I met up with Grandad and we arrived home this evening. BBQ chicken from Spar aand chips from the pizza shop were just the thing for supper!
Apparently it has been raining here almost continually so not much done on the farm.
I brought over six packs of cheese and some crumpets, and two Bramley cooking apples which I hope are ripe enough to have viable seeds...
Other than that I am pretty exhausted from four days travelling, so will wish you a peaceful night and a safe onward journey very soon.
Love from Mamma.
Well, I have been and come back again and I see you are still safely anchored up in Devon.
W stepped back into school life like going into another world ( which it is really) and I quickly felt superfluous! I had an early night and hopped back onto the train to Gatwick where I met up with Grandad and we arrived home this evening. BBQ chicken from Spar aand chips from the pizza shop were just the thing for supper!
Apparently it has been raining here almost continually so not much done on the farm.
I brought over six packs of cheese and some crumpets, and two Bramley cooking apples which I hope are ripe enough to have viable seeds...
Other than that I am pretty exhausted from four days travelling, so will wish you a peaceful night and a safe onward journey very soon.
Love from Mamma.
sĂžndag 10. september 2017
September 10th
Dear Heidi,
Well! Here we both are in England! You anchored up safely out of the wind in Devon, and W and I are tucked up warm and snug in Hampshire with Grandad. What a surprise to call in at Brixham! I really hope that you are warm enough and that you are all getting through your initial seasickness.
I see that school has started now. I wonder how you are getting on with your teachers. Do you call them Miss and Sir like the boys, or perhaps Mr or Mrs Somebody? I am sure that some of them are seasick too.
It is blowing hard here too, and the rain is spasmodically lashing down. I am regretting only bringing my sandals. Tomorrow W and I head west to Somerset and to school. I am hoping it will be a little warmer and drier there, and for you too.
Yesterday we went to the big Agricultural show in Telemark. Was it only yesterday? It seems a world away. It was a long way to drive, over 3 hours each way, but a lovely place to visit and lots of things to see.
D is working everyday this coming week, the weather at home looks better at last, and I am looking forwards to getting the last of the vegetables picked in the garden.
Thinking of you tonight,
Love Mamma.
Well! Here we both are in England! You anchored up safely out of the wind in Devon, and W and I are tucked up warm and snug in Hampshire with Grandad. What a surprise to call in at Brixham! I really hope that you are warm enough and that you are all getting through your initial seasickness.
I see that school has started now. I wonder how you are getting on with your teachers. Do you call them Miss and Sir like the boys, or perhaps Mr or Mrs Somebody? I am sure that some of them are seasick too.
It is blowing hard here too, and the rain is spasmodically lashing down. I am regretting only bringing my sandals. Tomorrow W and I head west to Somerset and to school. I am hoping it will be a little warmer and drier there, and for you too.
Yesterday we went to the big Agricultural show in Telemark. Was it only yesterday? It seems a world away. It was a long way to drive, over 3 hours each way, but a lovely place to visit and lots of things to see.
D is working everyday this coming week, the weather at home looks better at last, and I am looking forwards to getting the last of the vegetables picked in the garden.
Thinking of you tonight,
Love Mamma.
fredag 8. september 2017
September 8th
Dear Heidi,
Goodness me, you are down in the English Channel! If you hug the coast of England we may see each other, ship to shore, when W and I get to grandad's on Sunday! Wouldn't that be funny?
Autumn is definitely moving in on us here. The birds are flocking to the feeders even more than ever, and the berries and maple leaves are really red. I made fish pie for supper, with a blackberry and apple almond cake afterwards. Tomorrow we are off to the agricultural show in Telemark. I haven't been since D was a tiny baby. I wonder if it has changed! I hope so.
I saw your friend A's mother in the shop today. She wanted to hear how you were doing, of course. She was glad you had gone up with the honey.
Lots of love sweetheart,
Mamma
Goodness me, you are down in the English Channel! If you hug the coast of England we may see each other, ship to shore, when W and I get to grandad's on Sunday! Wouldn't that be funny?
Autumn is definitely moving in on us here. The birds are flocking to the feeders even more than ever, and the berries and maple leaves are really red. I made fish pie for supper, with a blackberry and apple almond cake afterwards. Tomorrow we are off to the agricultural show in Telemark. I haven't been since D was a tiny baby. I wonder if it has changed! I hope so.
I saw your friend A's mother in the shop today. She wanted to hear how you were doing, of course. She was glad you had gone up with the honey.
Lots of love sweetheart,
Mamma
torsdag 7. september 2017
September 7th
Dear Heidi,
Today Bestefar turned 81!
I had to go to the corn mill this morning ( for Pappa, and to buy sunflower seeds, those greedy little birds have eaten us out!) so I stopped at the garden centre on the way home and finally bought Bestefar the pear tree we promised him. I am so glad I did and I hope it grows well and produces good pears in years to come.
It has been a dryer day today, but not warm and the menfolk were glad of a hot meal at lunchtime: spaghetti and meatballs, with zucchini and green beans. I wonder what you are having for dinner? Bestemor produced a goodly array of cakes as usual this evening when we went over to celebrate Bestefars birthday.
I hope you are fast asleep and dreaming, although if you are on the third watch, and that is the 12-0200 watch, you will be just going on deck now. I am waiting for Pappa to come in after seeing to the grain drier. I wish you calm seas during your watch,
With love from Mamma.
Today Bestefar turned 81!
I had to go to the corn mill this morning ( for Pappa, and to buy sunflower seeds, those greedy little birds have eaten us out!) so I stopped at the garden centre on the way home and finally bought Bestefar the pear tree we promised him. I am so glad I did and I hope it grows well and produces good pears in years to come.
It has been a dryer day today, but not warm and the menfolk were glad of a hot meal at lunchtime: spaghetti and meatballs, with zucchini and green beans. I wonder what you are having for dinner? Bestemor produced a goodly array of cakes as usual this evening when we went over to celebrate Bestefars birthday.
I hope you are fast asleep and dreaming, although if you are on the third watch, and that is the 12-0200 watch, you will be just going on deck now. I am waiting for Pappa to come in after seeing to the grain drier. I wish you calm seas during your watch,
With love from Mamma.
onsdag 6. september 2017
September 6th
Dear Heidi
One of the other parents has told us that we can track the boat with a marine app: even though you have all run away to sea (!) you can't escape us! Today I see that you have moved away from the coast of Denmark and are headed towards England. Pappa says you are going around the main shipping lanes.
Today, and yesterday, it had been cold and wet here, all day long. I have finally given in and lit the wood stove. It is certainly cosier now, and the rain is lashing the windows, and the candles are lit. I wonder how you are all feeling out in the middle of the ocean, and I hope that you are warm enough. Did we make the right clothing selections?
W is disappointed because there are too many yr 7 boys at school and he and his friend have been moved out of their 2 man dorm and back in to a 4 man one, without ever having moved in! I am getting him sorted out with packing and tuck and nametapes, and we are off on Sunday.
I'm not really feeling ready yet, but I think he is!
Otherwise all is well here and I hope with you too.
Lots of love,
Your Mamma
One of the other parents has told us that we can track the boat with a marine app: even though you have all run away to sea (!) you can't escape us! Today I see that you have moved away from the coast of Denmark and are headed towards England. Pappa says you are going around the main shipping lanes.
Today, and yesterday, it had been cold and wet here, all day long. I have finally given in and lit the wood stove. It is certainly cosier now, and the rain is lashing the windows, and the candles are lit. I wonder how you are all feeling out in the middle of the ocean, and I hope that you are warm enough. Did we make the right clothing selections?
W is disappointed because there are too many yr 7 boys at school and he and his friend have been moved out of their 2 man dorm and back in to a 4 man one, without ever having moved in! I am getting him sorted out with packing and tuck and nametapes, and we are off on Sunday.
I'm not really feeling ready yet, but I think he is!
Otherwise all is well here and I hope with you too.
Lots of love,
Your Mamma
mandag 4. september 2017
September 4th
Dear Heidi,
Today you sailed away, leaving Norway for the next 10 months! It seems like forever now, as you set out on an amazing exploration of the world and of your own self; but I am sure that in 10 months today, you will look back in wonderment that these days and weeks and months flew by so quickly.
Indeed I hope so, for then you will have filled each day with a full quota of life!
Here at home it has been a wet and grey day, not a glimmer of sunshine. I would have lit the fire in fact, if we had any wood over! It has been a usual Monday, tidying and sorting and washing and hanging clothes....oh yes, those were yours! A little grocery shopping, the bustle of having the house cleaned and trying to ensure everyone gets at least one square meal. I took Pappa his lunch, down to Sand, and had to negotiate a digger that nearly tipped over trying to get out of my way! I was patiently waiting, but he rushed over the edge of the road and ended up balanced on three wheels and his scoop, with the back offside wheel 6 feet in the air! I was most alarmed, and glad to navigate safely around him, only to come face to face, or bonnet to cab, with an articulated lorry dumping stones from two trailers. More patient waiting and another obstacle negotiated....I set off once again to meet an I don't know what, which was scrapping and raking the stones and then, as I started off once more, down the steepest part of the hill was an enormous steamroller coming up to meet me. It really was quite the most nerve racking journey to deliver a few sandwiches.
I am not sure what you think I should do with all the library books you have out, with all those bookmarks in. I have no idea if there are particular places on each page or whole chapters or what, so I suspect that I will just have to pull them all out and return them to the library.
I do hope that the weather is kind to you tonight. Wear socks and a hat if you are cold at night.
Your loving Mamma.
Today you sailed away, leaving Norway for the next 10 months! It seems like forever now, as you set out on an amazing exploration of the world and of your own self; but I am sure that in 10 months today, you will look back in wonderment that these days and weeks and months flew by so quickly.
Indeed I hope so, for then you will have filled each day with a full quota of life!
Here at home it has been a wet and grey day, not a glimmer of sunshine. I would have lit the fire in fact, if we had any wood over! It has been a usual Monday, tidying and sorting and washing and hanging clothes....oh yes, those were yours! A little grocery shopping, the bustle of having the house cleaned and trying to ensure everyone gets at least one square meal. I took Pappa his lunch, down to Sand, and had to negotiate a digger that nearly tipped over trying to get out of my way! I was patiently waiting, but he rushed over the edge of the road and ended up balanced on three wheels and his scoop, with the back offside wheel 6 feet in the air! I was most alarmed, and glad to navigate safely around him, only to come face to face, or bonnet to cab, with an articulated lorry dumping stones from two trailers. More patient waiting and another obstacle negotiated....I set off once again to meet an I don't know what, which was scrapping and raking the stones and then, as I started off once more, down the steepest part of the hill was an enormous steamroller coming up to meet me. It really was quite the most nerve racking journey to deliver a few sandwiches.
I am not sure what you think I should do with all the library books you have out, with all those bookmarks in. I have no idea if there are particular places on each page or whole chapters or what, so I suspect that I will just have to pull them all out and return them to the library.
I do hope that the weather is kind to you tonight. Wear socks and a hat if you are cold at night.
Your loving Mamma.
sĂžndag 3. september 2017
September 3rd
Dear Heidi,
Even though it has been just a few days since I saw you, it was so good to hear your voice today! You sounded so much more settled than the last time we spoke. When you rang, I was hurtling across the field in the car to get to the valley before I got in the way of the tractor. I had to park and let D drive so I could deal with the phone! I had stolen him away from the grain dryer to accompany me on a quick mushroom hunt, but even though we were quick, Pappa rang to tell him to get back to work!
There weren't many chanterelles anyway, but we got enough to put in an omelette for breakfast. The hens are slowly starting to lay again, I took 5 eggs this evening!
Pappa and T are harvesting the barley in Fallerdalen today. Pappa has his red Massey Fergussen out and it is going well, for all that it is vintage! All the straw bales on our front field are being gathered as I write, and I suspect that the tractors will work late into the night as the weather is due to change again.
I spent a peaceful hour watering everything once I got home again. The pots on the balcony were very dry and so were all the roses. The sweet peas in the front yard are fully out now, and smell lovely when I water them. I have picked a vase full for my bedroom, and a bowlful of strawberries too! Now I have a pot of tea and a slice of banana cake on the balcony in the evening sun, as I write to you and watch the tractor loading the bails onto a trailer. I think that there will be 20 bales on it if it is full.
Now I need to make those men some supper, and put the dog out...she is trying to eat my gladiolus leaves!
Lots of love to you,
Mamma.
Even though it has been just a few days since I saw you, it was so good to hear your voice today! You sounded so much more settled than the last time we spoke. When you rang, I was hurtling across the field in the car to get to the valley before I got in the way of the tractor. I had to park and let D drive so I could deal with the phone! I had stolen him away from the grain dryer to accompany me on a quick mushroom hunt, but even though we were quick, Pappa rang to tell him to get back to work!
There weren't many chanterelles anyway, but we got enough to put in an omelette for breakfast. The hens are slowly starting to lay again, I took 5 eggs this evening!
Pappa and T are harvesting the barley in Fallerdalen today. Pappa has his red Massey Fergussen out and it is going well, for all that it is vintage! All the straw bales on our front field are being gathered as I write, and I suspect that the tractors will work late into the night as the weather is due to change again.
I spent a peaceful hour watering everything once I got home again. The pots on the balcony were very dry and so were all the roses. The sweet peas in the front yard are fully out now, and smell lovely when I water them. I have picked a vase full for my bedroom, and a bowlful of strawberries too! Now I have a pot of tea and a slice of banana cake on the balcony in the evening sun, as I write to you and watch the tractor loading the bails onto a trailer. I think that there will be 20 bales on it if it is full.
Now I need to make those men some supper, and put the dog out...she is trying to eat my gladiolus leaves!
Lots of love to you,
Mamma.
lĂžrdag 2. september 2017
September 2nd
Dear Heidi,
I wonder how you are doing, sleeping in your hammock? I am so glad that you have your cosy blanket with you to snuggle up in and to remember how much I love you.
We have had a beautiful autumn day here. The sunshine is golden on the fields and the butterflies and bees were really busy in the garden this morning. I picked a whole basket of runner beans, some of which we will have tomorrow with meatloaf, and the rest I will freeze. Today we had pigeon pie with a suet pastry crust, cabbage, carrots and mushrooms. I think you would have really liked it.
E and A came to visit this afternoon. We had tea and banana cake on the balcony. It was lovely to catch up at last. Everyone in their family is well and busy, the boys are both studying again now.
W has cleaned out the henhouse, and is making sure all the animals have plenty of food. I will miss him when he goes back to school!
Pappa is raking the straw on some fields and muck spreading on others.
I have finally changed the summer mantleshelf decorations for autumn ones and the August seaside nature table to autumn leaves and nuts for September.
Lots of love, always,
Mamma.
I wonder how you are doing, sleeping in your hammock? I am so glad that you have your cosy blanket with you to snuggle up in and to remember how much I love you.
We have had a beautiful autumn day here. The sunshine is golden on the fields and the butterflies and bees were really busy in the garden this morning. I picked a whole basket of runner beans, some of which we will have tomorrow with meatloaf, and the rest I will freeze. Today we had pigeon pie with a suet pastry crust, cabbage, carrots and mushrooms. I think you would have really liked it.
E and A came to visit this afternoon. We had tea and banana cake on the balcony. It was lovely to catch up at last. Everyone in their family is well and busy, the boys are both studying again now.
W has cleaned out the henhouse, and is making sure all the animals have plenty of food. I will miss him when he goes back to school!
Pappa is raking the straw on some fields and muck spreading on others.
I have finally changed the summer mantleshelf decorations for autumn ones and the August seaside nature table to autumn leaves and nuts for September.
Lots of love, always,
Mamma.
fredag 1. september 2017
September 1st 2017
Dear Heidi,
Today is the first day that you have been out to sea and I hope that it has been a thrilling experience. Here at home it has been a misty moisty morning, just as the first of September should be. But now the sun is shining and I have a line full of laundry drying at last. The boys have plucked and butchered 9 wood pigeons for me and I shall make a pie tomorrow. Tonight it will be pancakes as it often is on a Friday!
We rang Grandpa and wished him a happy 93rd birthday earlier. He is having a family lunch tomorrow. I wish we could all be there. D has finally had his hair cut and W has a friend coming to stay overnight. Pappa is collecting his seed-corn from the mill.
With love from your Mamma.
Today is the first day that you have been out to sea and I hope that it has been a thrilling experience. Here at home it has been a misty moisty morning, just as the first of September should be. But now the sun is shining and I have a line full of laundry drying at last. The boys have plucked and butchered 9 wood pigeons for me and I shall make a pie tomorrow. Tonight it will be pancakes as it often is on a Friday!
We rang Grandpa and wished him a happy 93rd birthday earlier. He is having a family lunch tomorrow. I wish we could all be there. D has finally had his hair cut and W has a friend coming to stay overnight. Pappa is collecting his seed-corn from the mill.
With love from your Mamma.
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