SO ready for summer!

Marianne:
Spring has been very chilly this year here in Denmark. We really need some summer temperatures! We actually had some very nice days around Ascension Day - but right now it´s extremely windy and not more than 65 degrees. Well, well... We´re still hoping for a nice and warm summer, especially since our vacation this year will be 3 weeks in the summer house. We look so much forward to that!

By the end of April we went to Hamburg with my Mom and Dad. It was our Christmas present for them - and it was wonderful to be all together: The Friis Tvede´s (my brother and his family), Mom & Dad and Michael and I. It was a really nice trip. When we were in Husum the year before last - a month earlier, we agreed that it was probably too early for a spring trip - so we decided to go a month later this time. It did not make any difference, weather-wise. But never mind. THere is nothing that can be fixed with a good, strong GT ;-)

Friday afternoon we all met at the harbor where we went to visit Miniatur Wunderland, which is the world's largest model landscape. It may not sound particularly interesting, but don´t worry at all! It was a great experience to see. So much so that we were there for almost 3 hours! You will experience different areas of the world - Hamburg, the Alps, the United States, Scandinavia, etc. Of course, all of the trains were the main attraction. but the surrounding countryside is absolutely amazing. There are lots of activities - including a drowning accident, a bungy jumper and lots of other fun things.
There are even minature air planes that takes off and lands. It is really worth a visit. Even though it is extremely crowded.

We checked in at the beautiful Privat Hotel Lindtner where we were going to stay. It was an absolutely wonderful place with lovely rooms, eminent service and delicious breakfast.

We had dinner at the Rollercoaster Restaurant Schwerelos, which was nearby. It was simply awesome! We ordered the food on iPads and it was transported to the table on a roller coaster. There was a fantastic menagery of metal pipes that led to each table. The food was surprisingly good - and there was really good service - when needed. It's no surprise to anyone that my brother Michael immediately had to test the concept. So when the rest of the crew were ordering, he started out by orderering a coffee and an ice cream. Just to see if it worked. And it did...

On Saturday we went on a harbor cruise - and it was a trip around the working harbor. Great to see the many cranes loading the monstrous container ships. We went for a walk around the city - and then it started to rain. Fortunately, we were near Europe Passage, where there were plenty of shopping opportunities. We settled down here and got a cup of coffee with delicious cake and this spot became our base while we went shopping. Super concept! We decided to have dinner close by - and it was a nice traditional German knot. I had grilled schweinehaxe (pork shoulder). It was very delicious!

On Sunday we decided to drive towards Kiel - and we ended up in Laboe, which is a little north of Kiel. Here we first visited a submarine and then the city's tower. We walked around in the small town and found ourselves a food truck at the harbor where we had a little light lunch before we said goodbye and drove home. It was a wonderful weekend!

The golf season is well underway - and takes a lot of time for the both of us. This year I'm again in the Board of the Women´s League and Michael has now been elected to the Board of the Men´s League. In addition, MB is very involved in retaining the new players in the club. We also have to play once in a while ... My game is far from flashy - I really need some stability. I´ve started taking lessons at the club's pro - which I hope will help.

Birkerød Gospel choir, where I sing, had a end-of-season concert last week (24.5.) It was a really nice experience. Our choir leader, Manuela, spontaneously decided that we were ready for direct microphones - and that was quite challenging for most of us, who never tried that before. But now we can tick that one off as well.

During the extended weekend we here in Denmark call "Big Prayer Day" we went yo Andalusia together with Gitte & Gert, Lone & Peter. Gitte was going to work down there with her network group and had extended the rent of the house for a few days. It was simply the most amazing place! One hour drive NE of Malaga - up high in the mountains. The house La Zahurda is located near the small town of Comares, which is the highest of the famous white cities of Andalusia. It was wonderful to get down to some sun and warmth. We all needed that. We all also needed to relax - we didn´t do a whole lot while we were there. We read books, sun bathed, played petanque, drank wine, ate good food and just enjoyed ourselves. This is a place I really want to come back to!