I find in old age that it's possible to revisit the past, the one requirement being that you come as you are. ~Robert Brault

No pictures this post.  I forgot my camera...

So much has been happening in the last week or so.  Mum and Unnur have gone - are now on their way to Perth WA.  Nicko and Mary are probably getting ready or have already started their dog sledding tour of northern Sweden.  I went to Rvk on a visit with the minister for the environment, visited parliament and waited whilst the signing of the new agreement for flights to Sauðárkrók was taken care of.

This last weekend was a mixture of highs and lows.  Saying goodbye is always hard - even if one knows that we will be seeing one another in just a few months time.  Then there was a Þorrablót á Skaga... twas mighty good fun.  It's also the time when I get to sleep under a 100% eider down duck doona... so so so good. (ah lotto... it has to happen soon...  where we stay is a nesting ground for the eider duck so they collect feathers and create the most amazing doonas)

Going to work today was good, plenty of work to be done and deadlines looming - just how I like it.

Political life is getting into a higher gear - election year for the Parliament, lots happening on the local level as well.  So life will certainly be busy for the next few months.

In other news, I booked my flights to Australia tonight...  Am leaving London on the 17th of March, arriving in Perth on the 18th.  Coming back with mum on the 8th of April.  Who would have thought that it would be twelve years before I went back..  When I left I had thought yeh, maybe ten.... but now due to changes at work and general circumstances in life - the timing is perfect.

Oh and yes, Iceland got a good decision from the European court... we don't have to pay extra for the ICESAVE fiasco.... it seems though that all will get their money - they just won't get the interest that they were demanding.   It will be so nice to know that this won't be news fodder for years to come.

take care folks... and if you are in Perth at the end of March, beginning of April... get in touch!

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. ~Hal Borland

 Yes, I know - it's been a while.... the above photo was taken on New Years Day!  or shortly thereafter.  Happy New Year folks, hope that the start of 2013 has been as good for you as it has been for me.

Árni and I went to Reykjavik to help his daughter move into a small apartment - she is finishing her hairdressing apprenticeship - has a few courses left at school to do.  Ofcourse, we weren't alone in this - her mum and brother were there as well as an aunt and uncle (mother's side) were there to give a helping hand.

We used the opportunity to enjoy what Reykjavik has to offer - ie another choice of restaurant.   We went to Hereford with Árni's sister, brother-in-law and mum.

 Twas very nice.

 After dinner we did what you do in Reykjavik - a pub crawl... at the last bar we caught up with some old friends of Árni's....  it was actually really really informative - the girl/woman/lady (none of those terms is right... what do you call a person of a certain age who is no longer young but more interesting than just "woman"??) anywho... she is an Icelandic/Bahama mix - her Icelandic is so much better than mine - my excuse is that she was here most summers!  Anyway - a lovely person!

 Here is Henry in his lang lang afi's hat (great great grandad Jón owned the hat - Henry really likes it)

 And then he told his mum all about how big something was... or how much he loves his amma!

 The highlight in the last couple of weeks is that Nicholas arrived with his lovely girlfriend / partner Mary....  So nice... more photos (from Unnur at the end of this post).  My brother Hilmar ... no actually all my siblings have the most wonderful children... they were great as kids but even more stupendous as adults.   I feel privileged to be a part of their lives - a maiden aunt is a good thing to be.

 Henry and the hat..... So good!

 Last weekend was spent in Akureyri with the cousins - the daughters of Bjössi, Olga, Unnur, me and Eyrún - Bjössi's daughter in law.  Talk about a relaxing and enjoyable time - if you consider shopping relaxing - no seriously - shopping with these guys is FUN.... (again more photos to follow - or on Flickr or fb)

 We spent some time on skype the other night with my brother Hilmar - he is no longer on fb... so he depends on this blog for updates - silly him!  Still twas good to catch up with him - face to face via the interwebs

 The "summer" house that we had in Akureyri had a hot tub... a must!  My cousin Gugga and Unnur - enjoying the warmth after the shopping expedition.

 The "summer" house. and Olga

 Me and sis - ready for our night out in Akureyri.

 Unnur and Olga - the bestests of folk!

 We went to our Aunt Auður's place - she turns 92 in April.... I think all of us are in agreement that we want to be just like her in our old age!  (she is amazing... totally not 92 in mind or spirit!)

 Going home... such great weather... but hey folks it's not over... Unnur's photos to come:

 A family photo... from the back left... Þórunn (Aunt Auður's daughter), Jóhanna, Gugga, Sigga, Olga, Unnur, Guðný and front Auður and mum

 Don't know what was going on here...

 Nicholas and Mary went up to Tunga to visit my uncles..  Andres was in Reykjavik but Þóri was home.

 Had to have a Henry photo.... this one shows just how much he loves his amma Unnur.

 The riding trip... all on board and ready to go... see fb for the video.. (sorry himmi - you will have to ask Jacqui to show it to you!)

 All out of order... but here we are about ready to leave the house in Akureyri.

and here they are returning from their riding expedition.

So that's it folks the last three weeks in a nutshell.  Fun, hectic, lots of catching up with the nicest people.  Today was spent at home meeting with the political party folk, tomorrow work, meeting then þorrablót with the family... (yep that time of year again).  Thursday meeting in Reykjavik with the Minister for the Environment, Saturday mum and Unnur and Nicholas and Mary leave us for Rvk... Sunday they fly in different directions.. mum is going with my sister to Aus and Nicko and Mary to Sweden to go on a dog sledding tour.  Looks like I will be coming to Aus folks... mid March - leaving 8 April with mum......  Stay tuned.