I have neglected my blog lately, so let me start with apologies to my few but faithful followers! I will do my best to cover the highlights of the last couple weeks with a little rhyme…

First stop, Munich, to visit a friend;
She’s called the place home for six years.
Now she’s putting that to an end,
A new adventure, changing gears.

So we flew to München to see her first,
And explore the city out and in;
Ate a few pretzels, drank litres of beer,
Then we caught a bus up to Berlin.

Berlin is a fascinating place,
With a famous history to be sure,
But also the home to a new face
Of music, nightlife and counterculture.

Next stop: Danmark!
Just a short flight,
But we could not tell my family
Until the time was right.

We told white lies
About our holiday plans,
Said we were visiting
More southerly lands.

Why all this sneaking, you ask?
Well, it was a worthy task,
For Anna, my dear sister
(Oh how I have missed her),
The day after us was due to arrive;
Our presence was to be a surprise!

Rob and I hid when we heard Anna knock,
My excitement was barely contained,
When she saw me she stepped back in shock,
Her mouth opened and she exclaimed.

Then we hugged like a pair
Of magnets so strong,
We cried into our hair
And laughed warm and long.

Then up behind her Rob sneaked
For the second surprise,
Well, Anna happily freaked:
more hugs and joyous cries.

Since then we have had such a hyggelig time
(Which means cosy and nice in Danish rhyme):
Cycling, feasting, exploring the sights,
Then sleeping so quiet and peaceful each night,
Out in Mormor and John’s garden house,
Tucked up like a snug little treasure mouse.

We have been busy as scuttling grouse
With a painting project as well
(The newly red and white garden house
Is indeed looking rather swell).

A few more days in this northerly land,
Before Rob and I return to hot Spain,
Soaking up Denmark´s beauty so grand
And seeing beloved Anna again!