26 July 2010

Sporty Girl

Hey People

Just some pictures of Charly at tennis with her tennis training partner Victoria (8 years old) and some of her first Triathlon training session today. They had to swim about 50m, then ran about 200m and then biked about 1km or so. Charly loved it and she is really looking forward to the Triathlon on the 13th of August.

First the tennis ones:





And some triathlon training ones:












Also at the weekend I had to photograph at a 90th birthday party on the mountain at Hotel Ehrenbachhöhe. It was a lovely afternoon and we stayed overnight too. Charly and her friend Julia sang Happy Birthday to Julia's great Uncle !






That's all for now - take care

xxxxxx

18 July 2010

Grado, Italien Riviera - July 2010

Hey People

Last post for now as I have managed to catch up on all of it !! Yahoo !!

Last weekend Charly and I spent the weekend in Aquilea which is 10km away from Grado on the Italian Riviera - sounds posh huh ! We travelled down in convoy with my girlfriend Tania and her two kids Harlee and Henry. We left straight after the Kindergarten finished for the last time and the weather was stinking hot, sun shining and a great road to travel. Headed over the Plöckenpass and down towards Udine and then Aquilea. My navigation system kept telling me to "please turn around" as it couldn't handle or got lost with all the hairpin bends on the pass. Very funny ! In one tunnel I was driving through the outback as the navigation system didn't get it.

Tania and her husband Andy have a house in the family which they use as a holiday home in Aquilea. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge and kitchen and is like a 70's time warp. Fantastic place and so 70's that you have to love it. A little garden round the side with a covered terrace to shelter from the sun as well.

We spent the days at the beach and enjoying fantastic food at night in lovely restaurants. Charly was eating seafood - real seafood, not just fish fingers - but cockles, mussels, king prawns and all the good italian goodies that come with it such as gnocchi, spaghetti, risotto ! We loved the food and Charly loved the Gelati (italian ice cream) the best of course !

Managed to see Holland lose the world cup as well which was a pity but at least we have a new champion and also one that has never won before.

On Sunday afternoon another girlfriend arrived with her 3 kids and it got really busy. All the kids were really good with each other and had lots of fun at the beach and in the blow-up pool in the garden.

We travelled back again on Monday afternoon at Charly's request - too much time with too many kids and she needs peace and quiet. Funny really but then again I was ready for it too. She wanted to go for lunch with just the two of us so we dined at a Yacht Club in Grado, did a bit of a tourist stop at a wonderful old church and then headed back to Kitzbühel.

All in all it was a fantastic weekend with lots of sun and fun and would love to do it again if we get invited - this time with Mike too !

Insights into our weekend:


Our room in the 70's ...


Monkeys - Charly & Henry ...


Tania - good fun ...


Rare photo of me ...


Our beach tent ... shade and fresh air !


Spaghetti bolognaise ..





Cooling off in the pool ...



Cards ...


Harlee & Charly - double trouble ...



Andy, Gitti and Tania on the beach ..




Don't you just love little sandy feet ...



Cockles ... Yummmmm ...






Fantastic church in Aquilea ..

Great weekend. Love me xxxooo

The End of Kindergarten

Hey People

The big event has happened - Kindergarten is over !!! The big girl is now a big school girl and very proud of it too !

We had a lovely mass at the Kapuziner Kloster next to the Kindergarten - yes Mum we videoed it too - and Charly had to say a prayer which she learnt off heart. She was the most confident and fluent speaking of the four so we were very proud.

Opa made an effort and came with Ada which we were rapt about. Charly spotted him and waved like mad.

Some photos:



Saying her prayer ..





Aunty Bettina, Charly & Aunty Tina on the last day ...



The 7 school kids from Charly's group - we are soooo big now !!

Love me xxxooo