Copenhagen and Amsterdam

First up, let me start with an apology. I (Jane) have been receiving lots of emails but unfortunately I have been so flat out busy with work that I haven't replied to loads of them. So here is one just to fill you all in.

Just thought we would fill you in on the next series of our adventures. We have just spent three weekends abroad in a row and I must admit, we are looking forward to having a bit of a rest this weekend. It makes the weeks very busy and tiring as there is always so much to get through. Now we have heaps of catching up to do!

As Chris emailed, we spent three weekends ago in Paris with Chris folks and had a ball. Then, last weekend we were in Copenhagen and the one just gone, we were in Amsterdam. Copenhagen was lovely. Very Scandanavian. After Chris got up at 6am to go to a tacky Aussie pub to watch the grand final we ventured out on a canal ride around the city. We then walked through the shops and enjoyed the contemporary Ikea styles around the place. We decided to go over the bridge to Malmo for the afternoon and evening so we managed to squueze in three different countries in 24 hours. Malmo is in Sweden and we loved the place! The main square was alive and buzzing and we enjoyed a few drinks and some nachos whilst deciding which painting we liked most from the university students displays. We bought one and still haven't decided if it was the one we liked best. We are so indecisive! We also saw the Little Mermaid (totally over-rated), said hi to our Aussie Queen in Denmark and enjoyed the journey out to the Carlsberg factory. Chris enjoyed 4 free beers (as I couldn't drink mine) and was mighty happy by mid afternoon! All in all, a lovely town!

Amsterdam was also magnificant. We stayed in a lovely BnB owned by a middle aged couple who have converted two of their rooms in guest rooms. It was in a beuatiful place and we enjoyed the morning coffees and bagels. We did the European thing and rode bikes all through the town. Amsterdam has canals running all the way through it and Autumn was a beautiful time to visit. I do hope we can return! We visit the markets and Chris bought a big warm coat for our Christmas in New York. It was from this army disposal place and Chris asked if he could test the quailty of the Gortex. At that, the shop assistant, who was drinking a beer, poured his beer on Chris coat. Quite strange to watch. Chris decided to buy it [note from Chris: I felt the beer enhanced the value]! We decided to visit another beer factory; this time Heineken. Chris was very pleased to see that they sold stubbie holders. Throughout our whole overseas journey of 7 months to date, Chris has not been able to find a simple stubby holder! He was ecstatic with it and also with the free beer glasses that you received as a gift. Sunday was more relaxing and adventures to an ultra bizarre museum that was supposed to be a Rembrandt museum but instead contained some horrific stuff and then to Ann Frank's house. This was a highlight for me!

Work for both of us is going along steadily. I am still finding teaching terribly diffiuclt and am already looking forward to holidays. Chris is in the middle of some big deals at work and he seems to be quite positive about the whole thing.

Sorry to keep you so long. No other news really. We still all miss you heaps and love hearing how things are going. Even the day to day basics.

Jane [Chris' note: it was Jane's birthday today, 25 and counting...]