"Did you get dressed in the dark this morning?"

Yes
This morning we had no electricity between 6 and 8. 18 months ago that would have meant that overslept, but not any more. J doesn't care about the lights, but he did want his breakfast (actually it turned out that he wanted mine!)
So we had breakfast by candle light, then showered by candle light, dressed by candle light etc etc.
Yesterday we had our Danish Christmas lunch, MKs family came and we ate a lot of roast pork and other Christmas goodies.

We got some lovely presents (thanks) and it is starting to feel Christmassy since we have a tree too.

Here is J having his dinner on Friday, apparently it has been a while since he was featured

2007 Challenges #2

I got the go ahead to sign up for the 24 hour moutnainbike race in Denmark. With hindsight, it would probably have made sense to ask permission before signing up for the Tour of Flanders, but never mind.

So that is objective 2. I have no idea what it will be like to sit on a mountainbike for 24 hours, but I am pretty sure it will be nice when it stops. This is also a wonderful opportunity to upgrade some parts on my mountainbike (like the frame perhaps...)

The final challenge is a more broad brush affair, but more about that another time

The 2007 challenge.

It seems that we will not be taking part in the 2007 Transalpes race as I was too late in signing up and we are therefore number 442 on the waiting list (there are 500 places). This has left me wondering what alternatives there may be available.

Bent and I did one of the hardest one day cyclosportif "races" last year and many of them need to be part of the summer holiday for logistical reasons so I think it needs to be something different...

There is stupidly long 545km Trondheim to Oslo ride that Bent loves to do but the idea of snow in the middle of summer is somewhat off putting. There is a 24 hour mountainbike race near Copenhagen that I think I will enter if the boss approves

I think it could be fun to ride one of the Spring Classic races as well, perhaps the Paris Roubaix or the Tour of Flanders... actually I have just popped over the the Tour of Flanders site and signed up. It is 264km on 7th April if anyone wants to join me on the cobbles then sign up!

Here is the route

Here is the profile

Anyway I am now searching the internet for something suitable in the Rockies, then we can go the US again before J gets to old for us to be able to afford the fare!

Sick Day

I have had the day at home sick although it hasn't felt that much like a day off as I have been emailing etc much of the day. J has managed to find some particularly nasty bugs at nursery and has made us all ill.

I'd be interested if anyone can be bothered to make comments on my bag design, I think I will also get a matching wallet.

If anyone is interested the company is called Bagaboo and they are based in Hungary and seem willing to make more or less any design of bag you fancy.

Probably back to work tomorrow whilst the wee man is going to an ear specialist...

Poorly me

Well I seem to have inherited the family cold so I woke this morning in Hamburg feeling even more like crap than when I went to sleep. If I had been home, I would have stayed in bed but that wasn't an option. So I duely went to the Holsten office and participated in the workshop until 11:30, then flew to CPH for a meeting that should have lasted until 5-ish before we went out for a team Christmas do. I left after half an hour becuase I couldn't hear and my head hurt.

So that was Tuesday - not such a bad day really, I was home just after 4!

J has been in nursery and seems in reasonable spirits, he is seeing a specialist about his ears on Thursday.

I am currently working on a custom bag for myself as I "need" a bigger one for overnight business trips when I don't want to check luggage or take a second bag. Here is the current deisgn idea that I am developing:

I am not sure about the initials, I may think up a logo of sorts...

PhD update...

It seems that a company is interested in my project proposal and want to meet us to discuss the project and their possible sponsorship. I'll keep you all informed, but we are likely to meet them before Christmas...

Hamburgelar

J has been to the doctors again this morning, apparently he has reacted to the antibiotics has was taking lat week and that caused the red spots, that is no loss as he hated the taste anyway! He still has some fluid in his ears and that is causing a lot of the sleeping/sinus problems that are keeping us all awake at night.
He will have to see a specialist so that they can decide whether or not to put grommets/drains in his little ears. We hope he is better soon.
In other news, James and Gina had a rather large and healthy 10lb2 (>5kg) baby boy on friday called Oscar. We are looking forward to seeing him at Christmas, I hope he doesn't intimidate J!!!

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Sent packing

Tonight J is staying with his grandparents for the first time, as a result we are having our first night alone for 13½months! We're on some kind of a roll having had K&L as baby sitters last night whilst we went to see the new James Bond film.

Firstly a quick review of Casino Royale:

Daniel Craig is a good actor which helps a lot. The film is more brutal than all of the recent Bonds, if I recall correctly, the only other time that there is any brutality in a Bond film was in Dr. No. I enjoyed the film, but it's a far cry from the Roger Moore era of films that I was allowed to enjoy as a kid, this one's not for young children. A good action film, and it needs to be good as many of the Bond signatures such as gadgets, effects and corny jokes are no longer there. Good action, plot, script, cars and watches!

In other news, I haven't gone to the Christmas party tonight, I couldn't make the interesting part because of a meeting so I'm sitting home alone writing this whilst MK is at her party.

Where does it all go?

Service the car, service the boiler, 5 tanks of petrol, some plane tickets, a couple of Christmas presents and there you have it. The little remaining after the government has had it's grubby mits on your wages, is sent mostly to the government and a little onto others pockets.
At least we'll get paid again in a couple of weeks...

Working my way home

I generally don't work whilst travelling unless there is some very pressing task to get sorted out. Today has been something like that, I have had many pressing tasks to get sorted out. Thankfully I now have a load of mail in my outbox waiting to send off when I get home in 45 minutes or so.
It seems that J is making a good recovery from his ear infection which is great news so I should have a good evening entertaining him whilst his mother is sleeping through a conservative party meeting. If he goes to sleep properly, I may even get my bike going in the basement, which brings me onto a subject that was hinted at last week, namely the Transalpes bike race that I was planning to do next year. The registration opened on Friday at noon, however, MK, J and I were slightly delayed at the airport on Friday and hence missed the first 20 minutes or so of registration and with it all of the available places. We are now on a waiting list and can enter a draw with the February edition of a German cycling magazine for another shot at a place. Damn, I was really excited about that. I guess I'll have to look for another challenge...

NEWSFLASH

J has another ear infection. Damn.

Consumer advice part 2 - Cars for the retired lady

Are you planning your retirement?

Are you unable to consider buying a car that is not a Volvo?

Then look no further than this:

It's a small Volvo. Perfect for those who want a Volvo, but smaller.

Back on the road

A quick update of my travels of the last week.

Monday/Tuesday - Hamburg
Wednesday/Thursday - Denmark
Friday/Saturday - Birmingham
Sunday - Demnark
Today/tomorrow - Poland

No wonder I don't know where I am when I wake up! This morning it was at 05:00 so that I could fly to Frankfurt before connecting to Poznan, I got here at 13:00, it is a big pain when the direct flight is full.

Anyway, mustn't grumble.
MK is home with J who has a high fever and is pouring snot, she may have to stay home tomorrow as well as there are no babysitters available, whilst I am off seeing the world. She was however happy that I had arranged another advent gift calender though so some brownie points have been scored there.

Good weekend

We just had a good weekend in the mother land so here are a few pictures of the events:
J with the customary snot trails (yes he has another cold)


T & J not really playing together (T did like to make J noises though - eh!)


A relaxing Sunday morning breakfast (without the relaxation part)

J helping to unpack when we got home

Only three weeks until we do it again...

I pressed brother B for Christmas present requests and flatly failed to make any progress, however, he did look as though he could use a couple of nice new t-shirts as the one he was wearing was very scruffy!

Shopping

Yesterday we hit Solihull and this morning we had a go at Tamworth for a few odds and ends and some festive attire for MK.
It's nice to be here, especially as I have managed to have a good pint of Pedigree and fish and ships at the Griffin and a bacon, sausage and egg sandwich with a cup of tea in the kitchen. I have also acquired an argyle tank-top!
Pictures when I have a chance...

Ready to roll

Off to Brum in the morning. We have to rush to the house to sign up for the big event when online registration opens at 11:00 GMT.......

Buying a bike part 2

New information has come to light, a very important requirement has been added to the list

" ...it has to look very nice when not being ridden"

That changes things somewhat so new we have to suggest something artistic, such as Vanilla

I am becoming convinced that a custom Moots is the way to go. Perfect fit and geometry, relaxed position, moustache bars, compact crankset, XTR mountain bike equipment so you can have integrated shifters with hydraulic brake levers. You'd never want to ride anything else!

Buying a bike part 1

Oh what joy to be able to post on this subject, vicarious satisfaction knows no bounds!

What sort of bike?

Road bike

You know what a road bike looks like so here is a Cannondale cross bike

Pros:

Light, sexy, fast, aesthetic advantage over all others

Cons:

Fragile, not greate on rough roads/tracks etc, a little impractical with shopping etc

Cross bike

Lemond cross bike

Pros:

Cool factor, disc brakes, practical and light

Cons:

Maybe expensive as in a niche

Hybrid

Trek Soho "fitness bike"

Pros:

Practical, comfortable and durable

Cons:

Geeky/nurdy, bit expensive as again a niche and not really a decision, but the result of failing to make a decision

Mountain bike

This is a Cannondale Urban bike, but it is just an MTB with slick tyres

Pros:

Good value, reasonably practical, disc brakes, cool (extra cool if you get a 29" wheel bike, but then more expensive), versatile. Could be good to get 2 sets of wheels - 700c and 26"

Cons:

Unoriginal, not good on the road, attractive to thieves

Conclusion

Yeah well, I dunno, probably best to get one of each!

But if you only want one, it depends on what you want to do, but I can't help thinking that a road bike is not what you want unless you plan to start riding more on the roads for fun rather than to get from A to B. Otherwise, go with the cross bike or find a cooler hybrid like Trek Soho

Of course you could buy this one, everyone will want it!

It is a Seven, but how about this Moots (from Steamboat Springs so supporting local business) old school touring bike, this is really nice and pretty suitable I would say.

That's it, drive to Steamboat Springs and get the guys to make you one of these, it will be ready by spring and I'm sure they'd do you one with disc brakes if that's what you want.

Ich bin ein Hamburger

I have no idea how to spell any of those German words, but I guess neither had JFK!
Anyway, last night we stayed in a nice hotel and went out for a nice meal: Lemon grass soup served with quail and lentils followed by a selection of very good fish and finally three different creme brulle (raspberry, strawberry and white chocolate). That was the surprise menu and it was a goo surprise.
So US Chrissy presents... hmm Just some ideas, but there is not really any need to send us anything
WM
Gilette fusion razor blades

Palm TX wifi PDA
I'm looking for other things, but need to check details...
JWM
Books
long sleeve t shirts/jumpers
MKM
Shimano 105 9 speed STI shifter/brake levers
Handlebar tape
Pair of jeans, need to get spec...

It's hard work spending other peoples money.......
I'll get back to it later when I've had a rest and I can find some pictures to make it more fun.

OK there are some pictures...

Christmas wish lists

Those not in Denmark, please ignore this post, it is something that we are required to do over here to make everyone's life easier when gifts are to be exchanged, it means that you get what you want and it is easy to decide what to get others. It still grates on me to issue a list of requests though...

There are two purposes to this post.

First can the rest of the HP based clan please let us have your Christmas requests.

Secondly, here are our wish lists.

Joint family things:

Silver FatBoy original beanbag thing

Minipod speakers white, silver or black...

New calendar for Georg Jensen calender board

Marmekko plastic covered tablecloth

Iittala Teema 0,4l mugs in different colours

MKs requests:

DAB radio

Ski socks

Ski goggles (maybe kiddies size!)

Smart jacket thing for work

Tshirts for work (not plain cotton ones)

Apple coring and slicing machine (?)

Full facial jobby from beautician

Zwilling all purpose shears
Jeremy requests:

Junior sized duvet

Bananas, bananas, bananas, yoghurt, bananas, bananas, rice cake, bananas etc etc...

WM requests:

Zwilling manicure set (clippers, scisors and file minimum)

Zwilling kitchen tools eg pizza cutter

Rapha merino training top or fixed jersy (half the price!) biggest size

Whisky glasses - Waterford crystal Aura design if possible

Goretex paclite (or equivalent) biking jacket

Motorcycle riding lessons (whatever is compulsory to get a licence, I know how to ride)

Triumph Scrambler

Telemark Ski lessons: week 6 in Val d'Isere :o)

Congratulations Karen and Lars

OK so this doesn't look at all like either of them, but it is a Danish theme.
Karen and Lars have announced that they are getting married. This is very exciting news and we are already looking forward to the event. I just wish we had been there to see the look on Lars's mothers face...
Congratulations again and good luck with the planning!

We're off to Brum

It's just been booked, we are all off to Birmingham on Friday to the ancestral home...

Haircut 100

Finally, 2 weeks after my appointment, I managed to get my hair cut this morning. Ah, the joys of working from home...

OK, I can see that I look like crap, but that is not the point. Now I look like crap with shorter hair.

For the grandparents:

We had Pizza last night, even J seems to like pizza!

In Copenhagen for a change

Just for once I am at my own office, at least I can get my expenses in!
This will be my last word on our work/life situation. Perhaps I need to learn to express myself more positively because I was not feeling morose when I wrote that post on the train to Germany, it was merely and update on what is going on at the moment.
Anyway, K got home from Sweden at 10:00 and I had enjoyed looking after J on my own for the day with no real problems, actually he is pretty much back to his usual happy self!

So far so good

I have managed to get J to nursery with no problems, he was a bit confused to wake up and find me here and his mum gone since when he went to sleep, mum was home and I was not...
Anyway he has been all smiles this morning as you can see:

Misrepresentation

It seems from the comments to last nights post that I was being overly self pitying. I am not at all, I can see all of the good things that are going on in my life and am grateful for the opportunities that I have. I am not unhappy, just tired and fancying a change.
I have carefully not mentioned my employer by name here, but I am not worried about being found out. Given the job market in Denmark and my current position, there is little doubt that they need me as much, if not more than I need them.


Pride may come before a fall, but that is certainly how it looks from here.
The intention of the post was to let you guys know what is going on in my little world.
Wednesday should be fun, I have J for the duration as MK is off to Sweden for all of his waking hours. I am sure that will be enough to fill another post tomorrow night...

WARNING! Self indulgent post

Where are we?
I am not really sure what to do at the moment. I am not a person who sits paralysed in situations that I don't enjoy, but here I am a little stuck. The problem is that it appears I need to earn a reasonable living so that we can continue to live in the manner to which we have become accustomed. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that my current job is not conducive to a happy family existence. Since September I have been travelling a lot and have (some may say unusually) been working very hard. The result is that I rely too much on MK to look after me and Jeremy and when I am home, I have been tired and not helpful enough. I am determined not to be an absent father, but I can see that it is happening already. With MK back at work, travelling and working are becoming rather too much for us to deal with happily. To me, just dealing with it is not enough, life needs to include at least a soupcon of happiness.

So what to do about it?

Option 1 – Take a break
I could happily give up working tomorrow and have been encouraged to do so, it is amazing how supportive MK can be regardless of the impact on herself, and she will always encourage me to do what will make me happy. I would love some time to enjoy Jeremy and return to a healthier lifestyle, but I think the financial consequences are too great at the moment so I think that option is out for the time being.

Option 2 – Sit it out and wait for the PhD
Having begun the journey towards this utopian academic existence, it has turned out to be a frustratingly slow process that I hope will be completed within the next 6 months, in the meantime, I am somewhat in limbo. With a minimum of 2 months notice to work out, it could easily be another 8 months before that gets off the ground and that is a long time to be living like this.

Option 3 – Get another job
I have a 2 month notice period and in Denmark this is always from the end of the month so the earliest I can be free is the beginning of February. Given the job market in Copenhagen at the moment, I know that I can get another job and probably an interesting one, but do I really want to start a new job? What I really want is the PhD and it's not really very fair to start a new job and then leave after a couple of months.

So there is the dilemma. I think I will tough it out with the current job for a while in the hope that it calms down with the travelling. As soon as it looks like the funding is on its way for the PhD I will be out like a shot. Perhaps it makes sense to wait until the spring anyway; it's more fun to be out of work when the sun is shining.

I wrote this to try and explain how lucky I am to have such a wonderful supportive wife and that I don't want to take her for granted. Perhaps it is telling that in the end I have written almost entirely about myself. She is the one who is spending around 3 hours each day in the car getting to work and back and then looking after Jeremy whilst I am off on my travels; at this particular moment I am sitting on a train just outside Hamburg looking forward to another night in a hotel whilst she will be awoken every couple of hours by the little man. I can't really believe it, but Jeremy hasn't slept through the night since we went to the US in August…

Conclusion
I guess that means do nothing for now, but be ready to pounce as soon as an opportunity comes along. In the meantime, don't take the good bits for granted (in other words, buy flowers more often!)

Home again

We left the hotel at 04:00 in the middle of a snow storm, the roads had not been cleared as there is normally not much going on at that time on a Sunday morning. The wipers on the coach stopped working half an hour or more before we arrived at the airport, but thankfully we were only delayed by an hour. So getting home with 2 hours sleep under my belt, I could not really manage anything except sleeping for a couple of hours and then to bed early. (J had other ideas about any of us sleeping well though...)
So Iceland, how was it? I hear you all ask.
It is a pretty special place, not like anywhere else I have been. The cold was apparently unusually severe, but the landscape was amazing, with steam apparently emitted from the ground all over the place and most streams and rivers lined with ice from the water vapor freezing to the grass. I'd like to go back and see Reykjavik and take a bit more time to explore, but preferably when someone else is paying again.

At the quad biking - last picture before the battery died :-(

Off Road!

The Blue Lagoon

Geysir

And back again off road

Let's off road!

We have had an interesting but cold day out and about in Iceland today, it was -16 C this morning when we left. We have been off roading in some huge modified SUV things, then quad biking and visiting geysers and glacial waterfalls.
After a short swim outside just now, we are getting ready for a meal together tonight.
This really is an unusual country in every respect. The Danes are really shocked by the prices, it is a taste of their own medicine to my eyes!
Photos when I have a chance...

Drinking contests

It was not a proud moment when the leader of my service line stood on stage last night and declared that our team is better than all of the others and to prove it we would beat the rest of the company in a drinking competition! So there it was, we were in teams of 4, one at a time drinking a bottle of beer, spin around the bottle 10 times and then hand over to the next one. I was really lucky because I got to do it twice!
I haven't had to do something like that for more than 10 years, never mind sometimes you just have to join in and pretend to understand what the f' is going on.
Yes we won.