Reasons to be Cheerful
Thursday 31st January
So that time of year has come around… dark evenings, cold, post-Christmas blues… it finally got me and I have absolutely no inspiration for a blog.
So let’s have a look what’s coming up in the not-too-distant future…
Birthday and House-Warming
My birthday, which I always look forward to through winter - and this year, it’ll be combined with a house-warming party for my most lovely lady.
I’ve home-made a bottle of Salmari - that’s vodka with Tyrkisk Peber salmiakki dissolved into it. It’s a rather dangerous drink because its sweet liquoricyness causes you to forget you’re drinking alcohol at 40% by volume.
Finland
A trip to freezyland. Just a short one, but I’ll be going to Helsinki for the first time ever (in my 7th trip to Scandinavia). It’ll also be my first Scandinavian capital city. And H’s first trip to Scandinavia.
And it’ll include seeing old friends from previous trips.
And going ice swimming (in theory).
There is a temperature gauge and a couple of links on the top right pertaining to this trip.
Scotland
We’re off up to the top of the British Isles’ highest peak in May. There are only about 150 metres difference between the Ben Nevis ascent and mount Fuji - mainly because Ben Nevis is climbed from 30m above sea level, whereas you begin walking from about half-way up Fuji. It’ll be a perfect warm-up for the real thing.
We might have a little potter round bits of Scotland on the way back, hopefully visiting the Falkirk Wheel, which is one of those feats of engineering I feel the need to visit. By the power of Archimedes, it can carry up to 600 tonnes of canal boats up and/or down 24 metres using only the power of eight kettles. Neat stuff.
A Wedding
H’s brother is getting married. Hooray!
Japan
Wow. What can I say? One of those places that was always on my “I’d love to, but don’t think I ever will” list. We’re mostly flexible on plans so far, but the trip will certainly include an ascent of Mt. Fuji, and an amount of time in Tokyo.
Cropredy
If that’s not enough, it’s then a return to Cropredy. I enjoyed it so much last year, that we’re planning to do it all over again. Despite the completely unacceptable facilities.
and…
…that only gets us as far as mid-August.
Funny… those blues have just blown away.
Helsinki? “Ooh look there’s a lovely department store with heating. Let’s go and stand in there where it is warm, until the Youth Hostel lets us in” brrrrrrrr
See you at Cropredy then
lordhutton
31 Jan 08 at 7:49 pm
Oh cool, will you camp with us at cropredy again stu? Last year was excellent!
maddison-star
31 Jan 08 at 8:11 pm
Happy upcoming B’Day, dear Stu.
I am predicting that with a bottle of Salmari, a birthday, and a house-warming in the offing, questions will be posted about how to get all kinds of disgusting things out of all kinds of interesting places!
(How do you get pygmy goat droppings out of the ceiling tiles?)
Debster
1 Feb 08 at 2:39 am
Oooh Tampere temperature
I’m going there for a conference in the summer I think (when I’m hoping it will be mildly warmer…)
Today I blogged about the goats I saw on my way to work. They had no tubs (alas).
Sarah
1 Feb 08 at 8:43 am
(but the link of my name there takes you to my work website which has nothing whatsoever to do with goats. this one might be better.)
Sarah
1 Feb 08 at 8:44 am
Ah yes, Hutters… done that one in Tampere.
“Ooh… that looks like an interesting warm shop”
“What does it sell?”
“Does it matter?”
Maddy: Of course we shall camp with you! It was a most brilliant experience!
Thanks for the laugh Debster. I had forgotten about that little series of blogs! “Anyone know how to get drunken revellers out of your house?”
It can be very lovely in summer, Sarah… temperatures in the high 20s easily - yes, I am talking celsius. ‘Tis a lovely summer location. Take the boat out to Viikinsaari island if you get the chance. We’re hoping to walk there when we visit - across the ice.
stu
1 Feb 08 at 9:22 am
Excellent! I cant wait! Is H coming too? We can convert someone else along with Mallys stu!
maddison-star
1 Feb 08 at 7:46 pm
All sounds brill Stu!
I’m off to Finland too in a few weeks, although I’m going north again into the arctic circle (Levi) :]
Japan sounds SUPERB!
DoGGa
2 Feb 08 at 7:18 pm
Japan is on my to-do-but-probably-wont list as well. Enjoy!
rob
2 Feb 08 at 9:27 pm