La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
First, my blood test yesterday resulted in not the least bit of soreness (which is rare for me). Maybe it helped that I showed the technician photos of what happened the last time I was there. I had a great workout at the gym and plan to go again tomorrow.
We leave Tuesday for Norway and I’m so excited — and a little bit stressed. But it’s a good stress. Packing lists, instructions for Isabel (one page of instructions for the entire month because she knows the routine, and another entire page of instructions on how to use the television set, modem, and two remotes). She’ll have a vacation on the beach, the cats will have their godmother, and we’ll be able to rest easy.
When I updated my packing list, I planned for the height of summer. I’m now re-planning for the height of summer in Norway. My Andalucian autumn wardrobe. I don’t know what I was thinking.
While we’re there, we’ll see wonderful family — descendants of both Jerry’s grandparents, his grandfather’s in the north and his grandmother’s in the south. We’ll also be island hoppping further south than we’ve been before.
We bought new binoculars. Lightweight, more compact, and better fitting than the Swift binoculars we bought more than 35 years ago with workings that need a major cleaning and readjustment anyway. While we visit the Northern Norwegian family, we also plan to go on a whalewatch from Andenes, 300km / 190 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The binoculars are to see birds, not whales.
We stay in the big city of Sortland (population around 11,000) when we’re up north, 100 km / 62 miles south of Andenes, and we just discovered that Sortland’s gay pride festival and parade takes place while we’re there. So lots to be excited about.
Now that Isabel has finished cleaning, it’s time to get down the suitcases and see if there’s anything else we need. This afternoon I need to go for a walk and do a half hour or so of yoga. I’m wired.
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En primer lugar, mi análisis de sangre de ayer no resultó en el más mínimo dolor (lo cual es raro en mí). Tal vez ayudó que le mostré al técnico fotos de lo que sucedió la última vez que estuve allí. Tuve un gran entrenamiento en el gimnasio y planeo volver mañana.
Partimos el martes hacia Noruega y estoy muy emocionada, y un poco estresada. Pero es un buen estrés. Listas de equipaje, instrucciones para Isabel (una página de instrucciones para todo el mes porque conoce la rutina, y otra página entera de instrucciones sobre cómo usar el televisor, el módem y dos controles remotos). Ella tendrá unas vacaciones en la playa, los gatos tendrán su madrina y podremos estar tranquilos.
Cuando actualicé mi lista de empaque, planeé para la altura del verano. Ahora estoy re-planificando para el altura del verano en Noruega. Mi ropa andaluz de otoño. No sé lo que estaba pensando.
Mientras estemos allí, veremos a una familia maravillosa: descendientes de los abuelos de Jerry, su abuelo en el norte y su abuela en el sur. También iremos de isla en isla más al sur de lo que hemos estado antes.
Compramos binoculares nuevos. Ligeros, más compactos y con un mejor ajuste que los binoculares Swift que compramos hace más de 35 años y cuyo funcionamiento necesita una limpieza y un reajuste importantes de todos modos. Mientras visitamos a la familia del norte de Noruega, también planeamos hacer un avistamiento de ballenas desde Andenes, 300 km / 190 millas al norte del Círculo Polar Ártico. Los prismáticos son para ver pájaros, no ballenas.
Nos quedamos en la gran ciudad de Sortland (población alrededor de 11.000) cuando estamos en el norte, 100 km / 62 millas al sur de Andenes, y acabamos de descubrir que el festival y desfile del orgullo gay de Sortland se lleva a cabo mientras estamos allí. Así que hay mucho por lo que estar emocionado. Es hora de que empiece a organizarme.
Ahora que Isabel ha terminado de limpiar, es hora de bajar las maletas y ver si hay algo más que necesitemos. Esta tarde necesito salir a caminar y hacer una media hora más o menos de yoga. Estoy conectado.
Informe de Nutrición y Estado Físico
Estiramiento: Una vez al día.
Caminando: 4 km / 2.5 millas domingo.
Gimnasio: Excellente pecho, espalda, y piernas viernes. Planca de un minuto.
• Viejos a la izquierda, nuevos a la derecha.
• Noche de viernes, sábado y domingo en la plaza. A un volumen para dejar a uno sordo. Estoy tan contenta de que no vivamos directamente en la plaza (esa es la vista, zoom, desde nuestra terraza). Esa pobre gente recibiendo el espectáculo de luces y ruido. Loco.
Click the thumbnails. The Twizy will be almost actual size..
Haz clic en las miniaturas. El Twizy será casi de tamaño real.
A couple of packing suggestions I’ve found fairly indispensable based on my travels:
1. small power packs that fit in your backpack to recharge your phones while you’re out and about;
2. several zipper type plastic (I know..) bags of various sizes from snack size to gallon–you will find them useful in a variety of ways;
3. a wash cloth (as you likely know, very few European hotels provide them);
4. Covid test kits (at least a couple–you don’t want to wake up one morning with a minor sore throat and not be able to tell if it is just a cold or the dreaded Covid. Mentioned as one who spent 10 days isolating in a London hotel room due to the latter this past March. I did have test kits, thankfully.
Assume your electronic devices are made for European plugs–and that Norway uses the same ones as Spain. If not, then an adapter would be needed.
Bon voyage! Enjoy!
Mary:
Like you, we’ve been doing this for years. And, except for the Covid tests, it’s all on our lists.
How cool that you’ll be there for gay pride! We’re leaving on our own trip back to the USA in just a few days. I have a feeling traveling is going to be chaotic. :/
Steve:
I hope the travel turns out to be easier than you expect. I mentioned on your blog that there have been no problems between here and Oslo. Here’s hoping it stays that way. We’ve got a spectacular train ride across Norway, some dramatic drives and a short flight north in a prop plane (which doesn’t delight SG). SO excited about gay pride in Sortland.
I bet the new binoculars are much lighter than the old ones. I’m vicariously excited for your trip to hot ‘n sunny Norway! Glad Isabel will be staying with the boys.
Debra:
The boys should be happy (although they don’t like when we’re not around). Isabel’s adult daughter will be staying, too, and she understands (if that’s possible) and loves cats. The new binoculars weigh I think about half what the old ones do.
Norway?!?!? I remember your pictures from before. It is stunning. Put me in one of your suitcases. I don’t take much room and can hold my breath for a long time.
Mistress Borghese:
It’s a spectacular country. Great cities and countryside. We’ll have to pay for an extra suitcase to put you in, but that’s no problem. Can you be here Monday?
Can’t imagine what a Gay Pride parade is going to be like in a town with a population smaller than a football stadium!
I’m looking forward to the blogs from your adventures… Jx
Jon:
I agree. Can’t believe a town that size even has a pride festival, but it’s Norway. Besides, it’s the biggest city in that part of the north. I’m looking forward to sharing our adventures!
SO excited for you both!
And for the boys as well…..they will have Isabel run ragged for treats!
Jim:
Isabel’s adult daughter will be here, too. She adores cats, so they’ll have her wrapped around their little paws.
Have a great trip. Just wondering…Does Jerry speak Norwegian?
Frank:
I speak more Norwegian than Jerry. And that means I can say “Nice to see you,” “Nice to meet you,” and “I have diarrhea,” among a few other things.
Have fun you two! That binocular photo looks like a before and after shot for a weight loss pill 🙂
Deedles:
I like your description of the photo. The new binoculars DO weigh a lot loss. Much easier on the neck. Can’t wait to share from Norway.
Moose’s melancholy mug makes me mournful.
Bob:
That was Moose after his evening treat while he waited for some sign that one of us was going to bed. He’s got “oh woe as me” down pat. (Poor Pat.)
A trip to Norway? How exciting! Be sure to take lots of great photos as we’re all living vicariously through you and San Geraldo now! I’m also happy for Isobel to have a beach vacay while you’re gone, even if she has to cat-sit Dudo and Moose…
Tundra Bunny:
Photos will be in the thousands. (I can do that during a walk on the beach.) Isabel’s daughter said she’ll join her. We’re delighted. She loves cats, so Dudo and Moose will be spoiled rotten. I’m pleased because, other than Isabel once a week, they don’t DO other people.
How exciting. My father’s simple packing tip, take half as much stuff and twice as much money.
David:
Your father was a wise man. Technology makes me travel heavier than I used to (laptop, iPad, iPhone, camera–for the 40x zoom, chargers, binoculars, headphones for plane). And in Norway, you need twice as much money to begin with.
Safe travels and a very pleasant stay, guys!
Jan from Perth:
Thanks! Four more days of posts from Spain before we go. Thanks so much for visiting every day!
Bon voyage! Looking forward to photos and tales from the great north!
Walt the Fourth:
You‘ll get both. Thanks!
This sounds like an amazing trip, and I doubt I will Ever get to take one like this, so I look forward to experiencing it vicariously through your blog.
Sassybear:
We can’t believe this will be our 5th time in Norway. And we’re going to visit places we’ve never been. Plus a train ride and island hopping in the south in a rental car. Very exciting. And an entire month. And way too expensive to consider doing again I think!