City Chase surprise

Even Charlotte & Shannon had to admit they were astonished. Twenty-one check points in six hours - quite a good day. The favorite? Pulling a school bus 50m

Walking in Whistler

Walking in Whistler, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Broke the little toe on my right foot by walking into a door last Monday. So dumb!! But I can still walk and I can ride my bike, so can't complain.

And just to show life can be better when you slow down a little I went for a walk around the place in Whistler and saw so much stuff I rarely would see. Including these ducklings and also a beaver that has a house just 100m from our back yard. Cool.

Have to admit these little creatures are almost as cute as the Alex & MJ creatures - no?

More photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/adrianzissos/sets/72157630002969522/

Broken toe?

On Monday morning I broke my toe. You probably expect some orienteering related story, after all I had  just spent a week running through the Canmore forests in preparation for last weekend's Barebones races. But no, it was in the house, walking through a doorway and I let my right foot get too close to the door and the little toe smashed into the narrow end of the door just below the hinge. Blast it!! The next day I came to Whistler where I was looking forward to lots of golf and running and hiking. Uh uh. Luckily I can ride my bike though. And yesterday I found a new trail that runs above the lake by our house here - very nice easy trail. Just perfect for toe rehab. And as a bonus my toe really responds well to the activity as the swelling and pain go down (quite the opposite of what I was expecting).

Cousins visit great grandma

Cousins 2, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

I had pretty good timing last week as I dropped in on mum to find the two new cousins playing in the front room. Not quite playing "together" quite yet - but soon

All the photos on my Flickr pages

A few more Alex photos

IMG_6454.jpg, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Had another fun evening with Alex last night. I was the baddy grand parent, always seeming to agitate the young monster. Charlotte on the other hand was pleased as punch as she was the good step grandma always able to calm him down after I'd got him riled up. Alex's b'day present to Charlotte ;-)

A very few more photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/adrianzissos/sets/72157629645158460/with/7162538910/

Oh yeah, and delightful to see Darren and Kali and mum and Peter. Thanks for dinner!

Happy Birthday Alex

Alex 2m, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Alex is two months and enormous. Had a fun visit yesterday and got to marvel at the growing bundle of fun. More photos on my flickr page.

And check out this link for a slide show (full size). Or click the little slideshow below (warning - it is quite big (22Mb) so will take a while to download)

practising @ Apple

Fantastic photos Ad.  I sent you an email butToday I finally learned how to get back onto the blog and add photos this is from Berlin - I tried to send more but will improve.!

Kali - When can I see your new house? and you of course!
Chandra - I really loved being with you and the gorgeous boys last Saturday and seeing Syd and the family at the science fair - who's up for coffee?
Tues I see the cardiologist but otherwise am free next week
Much love to you all

Can't seem to leave Memphis

Wow, Memphis sure grows on you in a hurry! Today was jam packed with music and Civil Rights and a bit of art.

We jumped on the Backbeat Tour Bus for 90 minutes of driving round town, while the guide sat with his guitar at the front of the bus and we sang and played music as we toured the sights. Well, not really sights in that as they say "Memphis has torn down more history than most other cities have every had". We saw where Elvis grew up, and not 500m was where BB King lived. But because of segregation they never met there. We stopped in at Sun Records studio where Elvis recorded his first tunes, and Johnny Cash, and the list just goes on and on.

Then we wandered down to the Lorainne Motel - one of the only integrated motels in the 60's. So it was here that people like Martin Luthur King would stay, and in fact where he was assassinated in '68. It is now the National Civil Rights Museum. We went in but after a couple of hours had seen only a half of the story of the struggle for equality and freedom in the USA. As we were leaving they told us we could use the same ticket to come back the next day for the rest of the tour - such friendliness is commonplace down these parts. We had watched a movie called "The Witness" in which the story was told by the guy who was standing beside MLK when he was shot. Then amazingly we met this guy in person as we were leaving the museum. That was super cool. Reverand Kyles

Memphis - they'll put art on anything.

and more weird

We spent the morning at Graceland, Elvis' home in Memphis and got the sugar coated version of the Elvis story. Far too sweet for my taste buds and so we spent the afternoon digging up a bit of dirt - which makes for a much better story.

Elvis' living room

So since we wanted new experiences we took a walk along Beale Street last night - Blues and Jazz booming out from all the bars - and every outside nook had a band stuffed into it. Some really good stuff and some unfortunate too. But that is what we were hoping for. What we found the most surprising is the Fried Strawberries (pass) and the issue with firearms (really?)

Fried strawberries & pickles ??!!

Really?

Tennessee gets a bit weird

Stopped in at the Country Music Hall of Fame this morning. Was quite the show and a nice history of the genre, showing how it has adapted to ensure its popularity through time - notably the big changes brought about by trying to keep an audience during the explosion of rock n roll in the 60's. But couldn't help being a little perturbed by the repeated reference to "conservative values" - is it a necessary part of country music? In any case I thought this is exemplified by the famous (I guess) Alan Jackson lyrics...
"I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God..."

Defiant ignorance backed with moral righteousness. Yep, I've noticed quite a bit of that around here. Quaint and a little disturbing.

As we left Nashville we saw this sign ...

I guess if you've got a bunch of empty promises you might as well try to sell them?

We hit the freeway hard and headed to Memphis to get a more bluesie environment. Memphis is for sure a different world! Way less clean, way more black, and quite frankly a bit more scary - more like what we were expecting all over the south. Memphis though is all booked up - the Inn is full. We've had to stay in a remote hotel in a shopping mall district. Tomorrow we head to Graceland to get our Elvis fill, then the Civil Rights museum, and hopefully a few dirty blues bars before we move on...

Nash at the Grand Ole Opry

Had some fun exploring Nashville today. First went to the Frist Museum of visual arts - bought some stuff for the grandkids (including Nash the stuffy dinosaur). Then went to the Ryman Auditorium, venue of the Grand Ole Opry for many years, to watch/listen to Opry Classics. Vince Gill played in "The Time Jumpers" band for a couple of songs, and Larry Gatlin (of the Gatlin brothers) was the show's host (and gave a kick-ass Oh Canada). Hank Williams' grand-daughter sang a couple of his old songs, and the Riders in the Sky played some good toe tappers

At the Grand Ole Opry

strange things in Tennessee

huh? isn't that the Parthenon?
but I'm in Nashville

World's only life-sized replica, right here in the home of Country Music...

Misty morning in Georgia

Misty morning, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Charlotte & I came down to Georgia (for the first time) to take part in the US Orienteering Champs. We're staying on for a bit longer to explore this part of the country and check out the music scene, the civil rights history, and the civil war history. We've been quite surprised at how pretty it is here and how very nice (and normal) the people seem to be. They may have a back-woods Southern reputation, but they are pulling away from that so far as I can tell. Not to say there haven't been some dreadful experiences, such as at the coffee shop in Dahlonega when I asked for a latte and the "barista", to use the term lightly, squirted two blasts of brewed coffee into my cup then added some steams milk - yuk, the worst drink ever. And we were amazed at the Southern optimism and complete lack of reality as we hiked the 7.5 mile approach to the start of the 2100 mile Appalachian Trail - here we met all kinds of "through-hikers", people planning to take five months to hike the entire trail. One guy was on his fourth (!!!) day hiking and still had over a mile to go to get to the start of the trail (what was he thinking?) and that was just one example. We read that 83% quit in the first 20 miles - how is that for being prepared???

Now we're in Nashville having a bit of fun wandering around the Honky-Tonks and heading to the Grand Ole Oprey tonight

Thanks for beautiful photos of beautiful babies - They're really great Ad - Couldn't find others at Flicker  but look forward to seeing them. It was so good to be at Chand's and see everyone - especially the super stars
Hope that the trip is going well Ad and Char - you missed white-out snow - not nice but we need the moisture
Still trying to catch up with house and broken appliances - mail etc. letter saying that my type of pacemaker isn't as long lasting as claimed !! Trying to find out what to do with so many people away from their desks is rather a puzzle.
Babies lift the spirits
Mum, Gma, GGma

Great grandma & Alex together at last

IMG_5460.jpg, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Another fun day visiting the two grandkids yesterday. Great Grand parents, just returned from the Europe trip, were there to meet Alex. Alex is show more of his big wide baby blues and is more fun every time we see him. Michael is on the move and nothing is safe (including his head) that is less than two feet off the ground. Darren & Kali's house is almost ready for the move-in - but will the paper work be don ein time ... Stay tuned for more exciting developments

More photos on my Flickr site

MJ & parents visit Whistler

MJ 5, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Charlotte & I had a rather wonderful few days hanging out with MJ & the parents. Weather was a bit rough early on, but the skies cleared up and we had a run of great days ...

Michael did his first orienteering in the living room, got his first ski ticket and went up Whistler Mountain and on the Peak 2 Peak, and had his first cross country ski at Whistler Olympic Park. A pretty good holiday by any standards. He left today, to take his parents to the aquarium in Vancouver and then for a plane ride home tomorrow

More photos on AYZ's flickr account
(and more to come from Chandra & AJ from their iPhone I hope ;-)

Super Mike

Still trying to fly ...

Genius, it runs in the family ...

Sunny days in Ventnor

What fantastic blogs - what wonderful dancers your grandsons are Ad, ' it's in the genes '
 as Krysten said to me when I said what a terrific soccer player she is!
That's a fantastic photo of Kali and Alex, He's growing so fast already and Kali looks as beautiful as ever.
Peter's returned today - I'm awaiting the solicitor who's making a house call as I complained about getting the bus to Ryde! That's what I love about here - respect for the aged!
Agent just left - ecstatic about the cottage - the sky and sea are blue and all doors and windows open - it must be over 20 C He said we would easily get £250,000 for it which was a nice surprise - sea view counts for a lot.
Before him it was the rising damp man! More work needed though just for now he told me to wipe affected area with water and white vinegar - so I'll be doing that.
Man hasn't arrived to do bathroom shower and cut grass - supposed to be at 9 am - it's 3.15 and he just came!
Did a lovely walk yesterday and went to the Royal for dinner - so today I have lots to do
Next week I'll be back in Calgary - hard to believe after all this time
Miss you all lots and lots - love and hugs and kisses to you all

Alex & Mum

IMG_5386.jpg, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Alex took his first trip out of Calgary today and came to visit grand dad in Canmore. Puked all over the couch, so we've got a record of the visit ;-)

More photos on my Flickr account

Disco Alex

Warning for people looking at this in a public place - it has music by They Might Be Giants (so make sure the volume is low).

Here in Canmore the snow keeps falling and the skiing if fantastic. Three hours in Pocaterra yesterday - maybe another few up in Lake Louise today. The only problem is we have a big orienteering race in two weeks in Georgia and it would be nice to do some running before then! And I am organizing a race in Canmore in less than two months and I'm starting to worry the snow might not be gone by then!! Hope to see the kids/grandkids sometime this week - and of course we'll be getting a lot of MJ in a week or so when he brings his parents to Whistler for a nice break.

sunny day in Ventnor

Kali how could you be so cruel? Alexander is so gorgeous - but he will have the last laugh I'm sure! Yes - I'll be happy to go to Boots or Mothercare to get soothers  - the poor lad will need it after he sees his photos.

So many thank yous to everyone for the super photos and birthday messages - I hope that I replied to all but never know exactly what has worked on my computer - no Apple shop in Ventnor!
However this is the first blog written now that we have wifi at the cottage - so far it's remarkably good and so convenient. At the moment I'm waiting for phone calls about electricity and gas and insurance and damp course so it's lovely to be able to get in contact with you all while I wait. This has been the most technically challenging stay with TV going digital this month, tuning then  and getting wifi etc.

I tried to send photos on the blog but still no success - It's making the file that I don't get. Spring is here with warm sunny days and lots of flowers. Dave and Hazel came down on my birthday and stayed 2 nights but we managed to pack in a lot. Dave took us for dinner at the Pond cafe at Bonchurch . Michelin chef - it was scrumptious. I was trying to send photos of us all.

Peter is on the Downs somewhere. He took the bus to Brading and is walking back. He's returning early but I still have so many things to fix - damp course, some plumbing, roof insulation, change to cheaper suppliers - etc.

I look at the photos so many times , much love to yo all

Learning curves! :)

So speaking of learning curves, dad, we had a pretty good one today.  Alex had his circumcision - handled it like a champ, by the way!  At the end of it the doctor and nurse left and it was time for us to put a new diaper on our kid, dress him and be on our way......  we went to the diaper bag to find that we forgot to re-stock!  We didn't have a diaper!  ha ha ha We were too embarrassed to go find someone to ask if they had a diaper so we improvised.  We wrapped him up in the absorbent sheet they laid him on, threw a blanket on top of him so no one would notice and immediately went to Superstore to get a diaper.  It was pretty hilarious!!  Then, we got home and to celebrate the day we had some photo fun with Q-tips. :)  This is what he gets for keeping us up all night ;)   Poor kid- he gets a whole lifetime of us.

I remember when I couldn't lift my head too

I remember when I couldn't lift my head too, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

AO & MJ came over for another great visit, filled with high entertainment, a few accidents, and the odd miscalculation - like when Charlotte threw MJ up into the air, but the ceiling was a little too low ;-) Fabulous to watch everyone growing up - I guess that's one good thing about getting older!!

more photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/adrianzissos/sets/72157629267018274/

Happy Birthday Grandma

Hope your having a great birthday Grandma!

Lots of love

Alexander steals the bed :)

I just thought this was cute :)

Michael in Motion (iPhone quality)

Alex is 12

IMG_3026.jpg, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Alex had his mum bring him over to visit Grand dad AZ and Step gm Charlotte. He slept though the visit while poor mum had to try to keep her eyes open. Should have been the other way around - next time I'll rock Kali to sleep and wake up A.O.

More photos from the visit on http://www.flickr.com/photos/adrianzissos/sets/72157629588531561/

Hi Grandma!
Alex is doing good - a bit gassy at the moment, but good over all!
He is sleeping a lot, but it's rare that he lets us put him down peacefully so Darren and I are not sleeping quite as much.  But we're hopeful that we'll all figure it out and get into the groove of things.
Sounds like you're keeping pretty busy!  But I know one little guy who can't wait to meet you if you happen to come home early!  ,
We all miss you and can't wait to see you in a few weeks!!

Kali, Darren, and Alex

From internet cafe, Ventnor

Hell everyone
How are the babies - send photos! - What's happening with the boys?
I should have wifi at the cottage next Tuesday if all goes as planned but I'm beginning to get used to the planned not happening. Evrything seems to thwart.  There's a new garbage collection system which means 3 bins and stuff collected every two weeks - charming for rental properties with little space!
Then trying to get wifi phone and TV sorted. I know it's easy for you ut I don't even know the words they use I've signed a 1 year contract so will see if it works and if phone is then astronomical - change-over March 20th.
Dave might be coming down for a couple of days but he knows less than i do and he's not well at all.It will be good to see him. Peter's thinking of returning early but I have so much to do don't think I'll make it if he does.
Went to but settee at Laura ashley -  lots of measuring and choosing for days -   final decision made - fill in forms for delivery in June! then free delivery turns into £90 delivery because our access is too small for a big truck -  start again. No-one has a stock to choose instantly anymore.
Last night took Peter as a thank you for lugging a new TV from curry's in Newport - digtal changeover inMarch meant old TV didn't work -  to the Pond Cafe in Bonchurch - just fabulous meal from Michelin Chef - so some things are brilliant. Also the spring flowers.
So I need some more news of the family and your adventures.
Is Alexander feeding well and sleeping? How many teeth has Michael got now and is he rolling over?
Very much love to you all
Grandma, Greatgrandma

Canmore Spring

Reflected Sister, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Haven't seen the grand kids lately, so the camera's had to turn to other things - like the glorious spring weather we're having. It is hard to knock blue skies and warm days - but as beautiful as it is, you can't ski in this stuff and you get really wet feet when you run in it ;-) But there's a lot of joy looking at the cool reflections.

Looking forward to seeing the grand kids (and their parents) in a few days

My super family

Thank you so much for the fantastic photos - I'm at the Met again after a day on IOW buses and failed furniture purchases - we hope to get some food now but this is just to say you're all fantastic - I've only had half glass of wine  -  and the great grand children are extra fantastic.
I'm still having to go to cafe's Chand but will organise Skype next week -
Hope that you're all fine
Very much love, Grandma

Happy birthday AJ

AJ & MJ, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Here's a photo from last night's visit. There are more now at http://www.flickr.com/photos/adrianzissos/sets/72157629535465847/

In Canmore today it is incredibly beautiful. Great blue sky and warm temperatures and fresh snow.

How wonderful - how fantastic - how gorgeous

Finally I've seen the photos of the new arrival ad his cousin - how wonderful they are - cant wait to see you all .
Kali you just look marvellous and I'm so pleased and relieved that everything went so well - you lucky girl - in so many ways.  How big Alexander looks for a new-born who's 2 weeks early. I can see that he and Michael are going to have lots of fun together. I sent some small clothes to your Mum's for the baby shower - but it they arrive I'm sure that they'll be too small.

Good for Michael - his first teeth - he still looks as happy as ever. I have his photo at the cottage and it makes me smile when I enter the room. He looks so big now.

We're at the cottage just as the TV etc switches to something else and I'm in a technical fog. I do think that I've registered Wifi and Phone to start up on March 21st and bought a new TV this morning with included freeview - about 40 programmes - we'll see when it gets out of the box and we attempt to "tune " it. Easy for you guys but major stumbling blocks for me!

We had a great time with Nick, Mag and the boys though our German Train journey nearly did me in! Haven't been well since. They found a 2nd WW bomb near the line so train stopped and we piled onto station. We'd been to Heidelberg and were in small village. They said buses would be sent somewhere else so we trooped off mile to the place, glad that Germans could understand garbled messages. got to place as bus left full, promising to send another. Hour's wait in cold  - taken to another station for another train  -circuitous journey, back hours late and hadn't started packing to leave Darmstadt the next morning.

Yes Ad - grandchildren are wonderful - as are GReat grand children - I'm so lucky - to have so much joy.
Very much love to you all, Mum, Grandma, Greatgrandma,

Treat for AYZ & CharM

Tonight the kids gave us a very special treat - for the first time we had the girls, husbands (partners, whatever), and grandsons all together. Maybe this kind of thing is a bigger deal as you get older - I don't know. But for me & Charlotte it was fantastically moving - and so much fun to watch & play with the kids. I guess we're becoming those kinds of grandparents.

Baby Alexander

Hi Everyone,
After a few days home with Alex we are still completely amazed with him.  It's unbelievable how much you can love someone.  So far we are totally those parents that think every sound, poop, and movement is fascinating!
We cant wait for everyone to meet him!

Here's Alex hanging with his dad.

Alex and Mike :) 

And baby makes three

And baby makes three, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Alexander Owen still fascinating his parents a day after he's born

Alexander checking out the world

Alexander checking out the world, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Wow - what a great day. I spent some sweet time with my daughters, their partners, and their kids. That's a nice day.

Got to hold A.O.S. for a nice bit of quiet time. Must say that MJK seems an absolute giant in comparison ;-)

More photos at my flickr page

New Teeth

Hey hey hey!
Michael has 2 baby teeth on the bottom now. They came in on the weekend. One in the morning and one in the evening.
Sooo exciting. What a big boy he is :)

Michelstadt

Practising blog pictures seems to work - Hurrah!
Sorry not the best pics and one or two were accidental - I'll do better next time! Nick and family come this weekend so I'll try then.
Happy Birthday to Kali - Lots of love to you all, Mum, Grandma

What fantastic photos!

Chand - you really made my day !  I was sad that I hadn't heard from anyone but know how busy everyone is and I'm not expert at finding things.
I went to the Apple store in Frankfurt yesterday - the first person I saw didn't seem too knowledgable about blogs but this one did and here I am - It's so frustrating to be so dense!
So I opened my Blog and there was the marvellous Michael Joseph - it was hilarious and suddenly the world seemed fun again.
My good news is that Alexis and Youri and their parents are coming next Friday for 4 days. Youri is studying German so it's a trip for him as Alexis is getting lots of gigs. The English National theatre is here for one of the days they're here so we'll see a Shakespearean comedy - at their request.
We'll probably go to Heidleberg too so I'll send pics!
I sent MJ a Valentine with Krysten and Syd's maybe they didn't arrive in time.
Can't wait to see you all
Love you and miss you lots, Grandma

Best Friends

Hi Grandma,

Thank you for the link for the Valentine's Day card and the link for Citadines. 

This morning I got up and left the baby on the big bed. I went to the bathroom and started to get ready. Thats when I heard the loudest squealing sounds. I came back around the corner to see this...

In this photo Michael is rolling back and forth against Lilac's rear end. He thinks it is hilarious! 

 When Lilac realized I was there she sat up. She isn't supposed to be on the bed! Then Michael started to hug her, so she thought he wanted to play.

So she bounced around and sniffed at him and Michael just kept laughing. Until I picked her up and put her back on the floor. Then he got fussy and cried. So I put him on the floor too! Then everyone was happy.

I tried to give Lilac a little pat, and she ducked and ran away. Indy tried to cuddle her near the fireplace, she snarled and moved over. Apparently the only one she likes today is Michael.

Anyways I need to get us read to go to the pool.
Love you lots and miss you
Chandra

La Bombonera

La Bombonera, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Adrian and I just got home yesterday. Had a very cool 3 days on a ship in south Patagonia. Saw penguins, whales, sea lions, dolphins, glaciers and beautiful mountains and was at Cape Horn. It was pretty cold and amazingly windy and we had a night with very rough seas, but a great experience to be that far south.
Then we spend a few days in Buenos Aires - what a fabulous city. It’s crazy how European it is and looks. Tons of rich Europeans moved there in the 1800s and built a mini-Europe. Adrian’s highlight for sure was going to a Boca Juniors soccer game. The energy in the stadium was palpable. (Guardian paper says the ultimate sports experience is to watch a Boca / River Plate game at this stadium).

Great sushi dinner last night with Chandra, AJ, Kali, and MJ.