Satisfaction and family in Harstad, summer 2011

A very long overdue post on this blog, about last July...

This summer we had many visitors. Claartje's student rowing team 'Satisfaction' came to stay. The weather was cold but perfect and we/they enyojed the surroundings. We made marshmallows over a fire watching the midnight sun and enjoyed some drinks at Nupen. Furthermore we went on a hike in the Folkenparken and they came to visit the office to see were we work. Apart from seeing the area around Harstad they went for a weekend to the Lofoten with Claartje, and they visited Tromsø and Bodø.
While they were here, Marjolein and Frank arrived by car with their children. After just two days they had to leave again, but it was great to show them where we live and have them here. We made pancakes for all our guests and some friends here in Harstad.

All in all a great couple of weeks. Thank you all very much for coming!

Housemates from Delft in Harstad, House warming!

 

 

The first visitors of the summer arrived at the end of June; Douglas' old house mates drove and flew in to enjoy the great north. A busy week followed for them with a visit to the Adolf Kanon, the Statoil office, theatre and further enjoying the outdoors. On the 23rd of June we all took a tour to Andøya and Andenes to take part in a whale safari. On the way back through the Vestrålen we had a fire and BBQ at Ånes and we saw the midnight sun. On Saturday we held our innflytningsfest (house warming) in Hawai theme and we ended in the city centre. Most guest left on Sunday, so Douglas, Louqui and Klep went up Elgen. We really enjoyed ourselves. Thanks  for the great week!!

June summer, enjoying the sun,

Summer has started and what great weather it is. With temperatures over 20 degrees, outside was the place to be. Cycling, walking, climbing, fishing and lying in the sun at the beach. Being above the clouds during a tour on Keipen made some great pictures with the midnight sun. We hope you are enjoying your summer too!!

Peddle kurs (kajak course)

It was the end of May and kajakking is the new skiing, so we followed a kajakkurs. Things to bring to the course: hat, gloves, 2 sets of woolen underwair, dry clothes, sausages and chocolate...!
We had a lot of fun, learning how to paddle , getting out of a kajak that is upside down and also how to get in again. On Sunday we had a big lunchbreak with a campfire and sausages. The water was a little bit cold, 4 degrees, but the drysuits helped! Now that we have passed this course and recieved our 'wetcard' we can borrow Statoils kajaks. There will more kajakking in the near future!

Plons!


Douglas & Claartje

Happy Norway day!

On the 17th of May the Norwegians celebrate their National day. They go outside and have large parades, eat ice cream, cake and sausages. They congratulate each other with the birthday of Norway and sing the anthem whenever they get the chance. This day they also wear their traditional regional dress, which makes it a very colourful day! Hurra!

Vi snakkes!

Claartje & Douglas

Moving

 

On the 12th of May we have moved to our new house here in Harstad. And by now, we are almost finished unpacking! We are very happy in our new home, and this summer a lot of friends and family will come and have a look, looking forward to that! With the house comes a garden, where last years leaves came out from under the snow. There is a first time for everything, like raking a garden! And we have new view..

For those of you that are interested in our new adress...send us an email....

Ha det bra!

Douglas & Claartje

Trip to the Netherlands and last day of skiing

  

Hei!

In the week before Easter we went on a holiday to the Netherlands.

We met our family, saw among other things some living statues in Borne, visited Deventer, went to 'Het Noorden', saw a lot of friends, had a great time and enjoyed the sun and great temperatures the whole week long! It was a really nice week, thanks everybody for creating time to see us!!

We got back in Harstad on Easter Sunday, just in time for the last day of skiing at the local ski-slope on Monday.

Goodby snow, and welcome sun!

At the moment we are in the process of moving to our new house. More about that in our next post.

Ha det god!

Douglas & Claartje