Tag Archives: friends

On the road

Shopping Frenzy

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As we lazed through Tuesday it was our fate to go grocery shopping on Wednesday, 23rd. The master suggested we add some more Christmas spirit to the house so we combined grocery with Christmas lights and ornaments shopping.

When we checked out at the utilities shop we imagined the clerk wiping away a tear or two because we sure made his Christmas business that day… possibly even that week or the whole month 😀

Our bags and cartons contained a lighted reindeer, penguin, VW beetle, four tiny LED figurines in the shape of a bird, snow flake, Christmas tree and reindeer head, three light strings and a Christmas tree complete with lights and baubles.

After a refreshment and some nourishment we tackled grocery shopping for the coming week. Shopping for a week’s worth of supplies can take a while and thus started to feel quite taxing… especially the teenager nerves got strained severely which the grownups absolutely showed understanding for and thus rushed through the last sections of supply racks. We were especially efficient when choosing the Christmas ham, we later learned… :-p

On the road

Lazy Day

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After a late arrival – plane landed in Helsinki around 11-ish pm followed by a roughly 2h drive plus some very basic grocery shopping for the first day and a midnight snack stopover – there were still a couple of things to get done at the cabin so bedtime was around 4am in the morning of the 22nd.

Nit surprisingly we felt a tad jet-lagged and lazed the day away. Perfect start of a winter vacation.

On the road

Lazy Day

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After a late arrival – plane landed in Helsinki around 11-ish pm followed by a roughly 2h drive plus some very basic grocery shopping for the first day and a midnight snack stopover – there were still a couple of things to get done at the cabin so bedtime was around 4am in the morning of the 22nd.

Nit surprisingly we felt a tad jet-lagged and lazed the day away. Perfect start of a winter vacation.

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Escape

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Monday, December 21st we made it true: We gathered a few things and escaped into the Finnish woods for a little getaway.

Away from the pre-Christmas frenzy, the corona craziness and the general hubbub during the Holiday season.

See ya next year, lovely Switzerland. Hope you’ll do well and welcome us back with lower infection rates. We do our part by self-quarantining in the woods.

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Accomplished

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So Saturday night I bit off my freshly polished nails. Still, Sunday came and with it a glorious day with many friends and family cheering my dear runner buddy and I on and an unforgettable, long-suffering (17km of stomach pain and cramps…) 42.195km later I was accomplished: I am unofficially but beknownst to my closest people a marathoner.

I’m terribly tired from the lack of sleep the night before the race and of course from the exertion, but also proud, exhilarated, thankful, certainly stronger and – accomplished.

A big shout-out to all dear ones who have supported us by cheering and providing us with sustenance. I certainly couldn’t have done it without you!!

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Achievements

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In school I wasn’t a big fan of running unless there was a ball involved or some other higher goal than simply running around involved.

Then, almost 20 years ago, when traveling around the world my friend declared in Australia that we’s go and buy ourselves some proper running shoes as otherwise our beer consume might turn us into proper barrels. And that’s when my running career started. Thanks to my friend back then who made me puff and swear along Bondi beach.

Over that last three years one of my very dearest friends introduced me to another long loathed category, the races. I’ve completed between 20-30 races a year over the last 3 years. Never ever thought that would happen.

And the third big thing I always denied would ever happen came to pass this year when I thought I might have to step in for mentioned dear friend and actually started training for a marathon. It’s not that I ever doubted that I could do it if I properly trained, what hindered me was my other hobbies and interests. Since I’m a slow runner it takes me well over 2h to do a 20k training run. I don’t mind, my body doesn’t mind but after 2h I do start thinking “well, what else could I do now… this running around stiff is getting lame…”.

Well, enter 2020 and watch me while away a 4h run – my very first 35k ever!! And might very well be my last. That’s why I thought this was reason to celebrate – congrats to me for this huge achievement!!

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Pigeon Friend

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My neighbor must be somehow related to Francis of Assissi, at least all animals seem to love him. My panther cat took to him as soon as he laid eyes on him. I can confirm that he is the absolut best, he kept me stocked with the most important essentials – comfort food like Maltesers and cookies – during my self-quarantine.

Today he obviously made a new friend… I got pictures from my neighbors partner showing him with the pigeon first on his shoulder and then on his hand. Magic!