Boxes

My people seem to be serious about moving to the Netherlands. There are boxes everywhere. Fortunately, I didn't have anything to do with the packing, but I will definitely help unpacking in Beek Ubbergen. That'll be fun!

West Ham United

Yesterday Gunnar went to a West Ham United game for the last time (for now). Despite the result (Hammers-Spurs 1:2) Katie, Paul and Gunnar enjoyed their trip to London. Thank you very much for sorting out the tickets and for the shirt :-) , Katie and Paul !!! Looking forward to the next game. We'll keep in touch.

Méli

In the picture you can see me and my friends from 'Méli', the place next to our flat, where you can get delicious Greek food. Thanks for having been great neighbours and the treats :-) !!!

Summer Event

Two days ago we went for a fantastic walk with our friends from the Banbury & District Dog Training Society. About 20 dogs and their owners enjoyed the sun and spectacular landscape. It was the last time we spent some time together though (before our move to the Netherlands) so we were a little bit sad too. Take care everybody and thank you for teaching us, Carla and John :-) !!!

Kangaroo or Dog?

Along the Canal ...

... and Across a Field

U2

Margriet and Gunnar already went to the U2 concert in Amsterdam a month ago and Gunnar couldn't resist going for a second time at Wembley Stadium yesterday. What a band, what a show!

Storm

I'm very sorry, folks. I forgot to mention last time that we got to know Margriet's nephew Storm during our stay in the Netherlands. In the picture Margriet and her sister Judith are beaming with joy thanks to the new family member.

Dwingeloo

We were on holiday in the Netherlands! Dwingeloo is a great place. Margriet's parents live there together with four horses, two donkeys, five chickens, one cat, five fishes, reams of insects and birds and ... two dogs: Varro, a German Shepherd, and Coco, a Hollandse Smoushond. Since my people were very busy organising our move to Nijmegen in September my friends and I had lots of time to explore the farm and fool around. Brilliant! We're back in Oxford now and I miss all of them. Luckily, it won't be long before we see each other again :-) !!!

Flora and Fauna

My Sweetheart Coco

Catching Flies Is Not Easy

Picking Berries in the Garden

Afternoon Nap With My Mate Varro

Gunnar Relaxing in the Hammock

Family Reunion

See You Soon, Dwingeloo!

Julia and Jason

Jason Horst is staying with us at the moment. He's the son of one of Gunnar's old colleagues at Tennis Wahlstedt and a nice guy. Jason's girlfriend Julia is on language holiday in Oxford too (including daily lessons), but there's still enough time for them to explore the city together. Normally the couple is very laid-back, but on Sunday evening that changed dramatically. They tried to solve the magic cube and became desperate. I don't know why because I like the cube best anyway when it's as colourful as possible.

A Wonderful Day

2 July 2009 was very special to us! Gunnar turned 40 so Margriet and I were up early to make breakfast and arrange his presents in the dining room. I promise you, I really did my best to make it look pretty. After the unwrapping of the presents (I was allowed to help ... yippieh!) the excitement started. Two phones rang at the same time: Margriet's mum Hanneke phoned on the landline and Margriet's brother Floris rang on Gunnar's mobile. Both to congratulate Gunnar AND to tell us that Margriet's sister Judith had gone into labour. My people got very excited and a little nervous. Then the phone rang again ... and it was an estate agent. Margriet and Gunnar had been busy looking for houses in the Nijmegen area in the last couple of weeks and the estate agent had good news: Their most recent bid on a house in Beek Ubbergen was accepted. This is very good. I like the house a lot as it has a nice garden. After a few hours of waiting the liberating call came: Judith and Dimitri have got a son now! His name is Storm Olivier and all are doing well. Many congratulations!!! What a day ... we had to go swimming at dusk to cool down after all this excitement.