Muddy Feet

During short run on Thurday (26 March) took a wrong turn detour down a bit of a muddy track on the homeward leg. Nothing a bit of soap and water won't fix .
Managed to complete my first 12 week block of running according to plan (a bit longer as I started the week of Xmas). Now on to next 12 week block to build up to 60 min run.

Apple trees and the last of the swing

Last weekend (21st March) we plated 2 apple trees. The one by the swing is a Red Boskoop (cooking/eating) and the one close to the veggie garden is a Jona Gold - typical Dutch eating apple. They are both ex-orchard trees so are heavily pruned on short trunks.
We also sold the swing, so the back garden looks a lot emptier (and bigger) now.

Christopher Turns 15

Some photos from the Sunday before Chris' birthday. El & Anton & Jany & Ro + kids came over in the afternoon for drinks & dinner. Of course Chris's fave cake quarktaart (cheesecake).

Steven spent some time playing his fave game at the moment - Spore. Cuzzies look on.

Robin & Skating

Robin looking a bit sorry for himself after hurting his elbow on school trip to skating rink on Friday (yes it was Friday 13th March - so unlucky for him!). Nothing broken though.

Chris & Bram Ready for Carnival

Chris and one of his best mates Bram ready to go and partay with Carnival. Well he managed 2 evenings then was sick the rest of the school holiday with flu and a cough!

More Surprises

Steve got a Pokemon ball (made by Robin)
Robin got an electric keyboard (made by Bri)
Chris got a portrait of himself - complete with iPod headphones that cone out (made by me, Andrew).
Before that we'd had a nice dinner together at our place - on a dreary winterish evening.
Changeable weather ver the weekend - where I took part in Robin & Chris's swimming club Njord's club swim champs on Sat afternoon and Sun morning
2 x thirds (of a field of 4) in the 50M back and freestyle. Hopeless in the 50m breaststroke. Maybe room for a New Years resolution to improve my breaststroke then (never had it taught at school for some reason).

Sinterklass Surpises

This year we decided to do a traditional Sinterklaas tradition of making "Surprises" for each other. In Dutch you pronounce it "surpreeze" . Basically the idea was we all had the same budget to buy a present. Then we drew lots to see who we got to buy for - then you go out a buy the gift for them - and you make a novelty package to put the gift inside - and that is the surprise. You do not know up front who is buying your present for you. Below is my one - a Kiwi on a block of Dutch cheese mode by Steven (with a bit of help from Mum)
Anton and El got a book (full of sweets and puzzel books) from us all.
Bri got a lipstick (made by Chris)