Unjust!

A little boy was just walking past saying 'injustice!'. It sounded funny coming from a 3 year old. The translation though is similar to 'unfair!'

The Three Olive Trees

I love these trees. I like the little bench beneath the branches too. The 'sepia' mode for the photo is the only one that can capture that old world feeling for me.

Closing Time in Spain

About 1.30 all the little shop close for lunch and locals disappear from the streets. Really. Opens again at about 5.

Another Beautiful Day

Gotta love Spain on days like this.

My Sheep Pajamas!

That's me!

El Xamfra Update

Well, its still the xamfra, meaning that its on that special little corner, but its official name is now Sant Jordi. (Saint George) its almost the same. The staff are as friendly as ever. Its always full on a Thursday morning.


For the previous post on the Xamfra. 

Jett's First Fondue

It was fun, but we suffered later when the cheese and bread hit the bottom of the stomach and started expanding. My God. The best news is that I ate hot chocolate with banana. I'm desperate for a hot chocolate fondue set. Albert says it will taste the same in my normal cooking pot with normal forks, but he doesn't understand my need for pretty!

Our New Baby- Lotta!

Okay, so she's not Pom Pom, but she is cute! We love her too.

The Bars of the School

I don't know how it is in all places, but its the first time I've seen schools that are enclosed like a prison. Jett goes to this school. Its not that the children are dangerous or problematic, its just that its in the middle of the city. I guess we had fences around the playground, but I always thought it was so the balls didn't escape.

Granollers Handball Team

Here we are watching the very brave handball team. They are all sporting beards because it seems that the team has run out of money. They are winning 20 to 9 at half time.

Five Year Anniversary

Someone said you should treat your anniversaries like the relationship's birthdays. Its a nice idea.

The 11th is one of Albert and my five year anniversaries. Its when we met each other for the first time in the flesh. If you didn't know, we met on the internet.  (That's a different anniversary.) On a travel site designed to keep contacts with people you've met around the world. And to show off your travels.

Anniversaries, birthdays, new years; they have never been particularly fun for me. I find my mind wants to dwell on the things that didn't get done or the bad memories. In the last few years, just for comfort sake, I've been actively trying to remember and dwell on the positives symbolized in these events. And truthfully, it makes a nice difference for every day living.

When you're looking at the relationship, you notice that its not just the relationship that has changed but its the individual as well, and in our case, the circumstances too.  Albert was only 26 when he came to live in Norway and the last five years have shifted his priorities, opened his perspective and in many ways, he's embraced the 'grown up' part of his life.

I had been living an independent lifestyle with a high focus on my personal satisfaction in health and environment. I've moved into the roles of housekeeper, mother and spouse support.  In actual fact, its more rewarding than its been given credit for.

I have to admit that the last year has been, for me, the best year of the relationship. We are not testing each other as much, and have settled into a certain trust and appreciation for each other that wasn't there at the beginning of the relationship. We've dropped some of our unattainable expectations and have learnt to like or at least keep quiet about the things we don't appreciate in each other.

I'm proud of us. We've become more open, supportive and understanding of each other.

Congratulations to us and for our five year birthday.

Misty Morning in Granollers

It even looks like the setting of some sort or mystery!

La Porxada in Granollers

There it is. The central piece of the town. Its highly symbolic of the modern town also. It was The Market in the old days. Now its a display piece and houses mini markets of antiques, local produce and the occasional football game for children on Sundays. Today its acting as a meeting point for Kate and I. If you want to shop, but you don't want the crowds of Barcelona, welcome to Granollers.

We Did It!

We all competed, we all did our best, and Granollers was a happy and excited place. Amazing for a Sunday morning! Thanks to everyone who supported the marathon!


Here are two videos from the end of the marathon -


I ran a 5 kilometre: Tiffany's finish I'm in green and running fast! My official time was 28.53. (249th out of 791 runners. And 70th girl out of 456!) I didn't beat my previous best time of 28.30, but it was my first race after training for four months, so I'm not too unhappy.


Albert ran the half marathon (21 ks) Albert's finish Albert's in orange and very tired! Albert wanted to run the race in under 2 hours, and his time was 2 hours and 3 seconds! So he has a goal for the next one.


Jett ran the mini marathon (1 k) in 4 minutes and 2 seconds. He looked great and just needed to beat his time from last year, 4.21.


We've just both joined another half marathon in 7 weeks. It will be my first and the longest I have ever run! We're excited and feeling a bit crazed with enthusiasm. 

Jett Runs the 1000 meters for the Mini Marathon 2011

This was Jett's second year running in the mini marathon. He was great! I'll add his time later. He ran very well. His only complaint was that a girl in the class below him at school raced passed him. And the worst thing? She didn't even train for it.


Edit: This is a link to a facebook photo from last year (2010). 

Pre Marathon Food

Everyone knows how important it is to eat well before sports.

Numbers for the Race.

Today we pick up our numbers for the race, the chip that will keep our time, and a bag of goodies. Everyone is buzzing and relatively happy.

Half Marathon Training Update

Well, my 5 k is on Sunday. Albert is due to run the half Marathon, but we're both suffering sports injuries that are impeding our preparation. Albert's knee is playing up and my right heel is paining me. Jett is the only one who is fit for the fight. Wish us good luck!

Lurking at the School

Well here I am, an official lurker. I feel very seedy. Just checking out the recess time at one of the potential schools for Jett. I've also noticed a few older men hanging around. I'm sure they are grandfathers, right?