Bits and pieces (of news)

Well, given my distinct lack of posts recently, I thought it was high time I get myself organised enough to write again :)

On the news front, I am going to Germany this weekend! Our good friends Justin and Virginia are travelling to Germany for a week, and I will be catching up with them while they are there. Unfortunately, Peter is really busy at work at the moment and cannot take time off to come with me :( I'm looking forward to seeing them, though, and will provide Peter with a comprehensive review of my trip when I return!

In other news, I have started running outdoors (finally!). Equipped with a special long-sleeved top, gloves and a thermal hat, I have been able to brave the cold (and the wind) for the past couple of weekends. Since we live on the side of a hill, the 9-mile (14½km) round-trip course that Peter worked out for me is a bit of a challenge, but it sure does beat running on a treadmill! I'm now halfway through my training for the marathon, and it's going well. I have entered a half marathon race on March 12 in Hastings (south of London). Weather forecast so far is 5 degrees. The recent cold spell (this morning it was -4 degrees: hello, spring! not!) has meant that I am comfortable running at about that temperature, so at least it has been helpful in that respect :)

Since Peter has already discussed our activities on Valentine's Day (our 1½ year anniversary), I won't go into details. Suffice it to say that I was thoroughly spoilt that day by Peter! My female colleagues were immensely jealous, while my male colleagues said to tell Peter to keep his spoiling efforts to a minimum.

A few weeks ago we had Rhys (my cousin) and his friend Nello come and stay with us for a week. They had come from Switzerland, and so quite enjoyed the 'balmy' weather of London in February :) They spent the week visiting friends they have in London and seeing the sights. We were planning to take them out to the Cotswolds on the Sunday they were with us, but alas, the weather was not kind, so we were limited to taking them to a town near Peter's work that is outside London. The pub lunch was a welcome distraction from the cold and pouring rain. They left us a couple of weeks ago to continue their world trip, with the US their next stop.

In travelling news, we have booked a trip to Vienna for the long weekend at the end of May. I have been to Vienna a couple of times before, but only for short visits. It is a beautiful city, and I am looking forward to showing Peter not only the great architecture and history there but also to taking him to one of their concerts. Hopefully by then the weather will be a bit warmer, too, which will be different from the last time I visited (a snow-drenched) Vienna.

We have also got a few other plans for travel, though nothing is firmly in place. It's a matter of lining our work up so that we can take time off together, and of deciding where to go! There are so many options, it is difficult to decide. But that is a good problem to have, I guess :)