Mother’s Got A Dot Com

I think I’ve found my niche. Not for this one - no one in their right mind would call this a niche blog. No - for my relatively brand new Norwegian one, that I’ve named the equivalent of Work With A Blog, where I’ve approached the subject of Working At Home.

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Two of the Brats (the ones of British descent) and myself went to Nottingham, UK for their cousin Sarahs wedding on the 31st. The wedding was lovely - not a very big affair, but just right. The girls met all their relatives (their uncle didn’t know we were coming, so he had to have his jaw stitched back on after it dropped to the floor…) The bride and groom were beautiful, and so happy to see us. They have a little preemie girl too - she’s 18 months old, and was the prettiest little bridesmaid in her pearly white dress. As for the location - a hotel, but set in a hunting lodge from the 17th century, smack in the middle of Robin Hood country - Sherwood forest.

Now, when I say hunting lodge, do you think of a small timber building with a leaky roof and an open hearth? Not so. This was a castle, very well kept, set in a huge park, complete with its own chapel. Absolutely beautiful!

The girls got to see their grandmother, who didn’t feel up to attending the wedding, but who was all right, considering her age and situation. We were afraid she wouldn’t recognize us, but as it turned out, she’s quite lucid. She was so happy to see the girls, and it was lovely seeing her again.

We also got some shopping in. What I mean to say is: the girls got some shopping in. So many stores selling pygmy clothes, so little time! I think we went into every one of them. What they ended up with were stacks of CDs - and shoes. Not your Manolo Blahniks or the like (I just windowshopped for those - however beautiful, I could never pay $600 for a pair of pumps!), but the choice within the “normal” price range is very good over there too.

We managed a second visit to Grandmother before going back as well, and had a lovely few hours in town with the bride, groom and tiny bridesmaid. We got soaking wet on a regular basis (as you do in England), and had dinner with the girls uncle.

A busy few days, but very nice. The girls just love going over there - it makes their British genes feel at home, which they thoroughly enjoy. Their father would have had his 58th birthday today, and I know they’re thinking about him and of their recent trip to his home ground.

Possibly not to you, especially if you’re a habitual Cruise guest… There is actually something called Disney cruises!
I’m guessing they’ve made it their business to cater for the kids, while giving the adults a great time too. We’ve got kids of all ages - all the way up to semi-adulthood, and I’m quite sure they’d all have the time of their lives on board one of those. Except perhaps #1 Brat, who’s prone to seasickness.
I wonder if they do rivercruises…

Hubby’s got 3 days off, and we’re going to our cabin for a little change of scenery. We leave later today, and will be back Friday, so it’s just a short trip, but it’ll be nice to get away for a little while.

The weather forecast is for fishing weather, so we’re hoping for at least one mountain trout dinner…

Cousin Linda from Arizona has left, and she had a great time over here in the “old country”. As always after such a visit, the seed has been sown in all of our minds - what about a trip to USA?

It would be wonderful, but where to start the planning? (Not to mention all the blogging I’d have to do to finance it, but that’s another worry…) On my Internet surfing sprees, I’ve come across many many places I’d love to visit - many of them involving Sun & Sea. I’d never heard of Hilton Head Island in South Carolina before, for example, and Hilton Head rentals is certainly one to investigate - whether we’re talking family trip or romantic Mum&Dad vacation.
The States are riddled with wonderful places to go that I’ve never heard of, and planning a trip “over there” would be about finding as many of them as possible, putting them in a hat, and choosing a few. I’m all for going off the beaten track, but I don’t mind toddling along after hordes of tourists either from time to time - so I guess we’d go for a bit of both.

Back to financing. OK, so it won’t be this year. It would, however, be the trip of a lifetime, so we might as well spend some time planning it!

In the early days of my first marriage, I spent quite a lot of time in Cornwall - my troubadour husband had fallen in love with St.Ives as a young lad, and had bought himself a flat there.

Cornwall is a part of the world I’d love to go back to, and if I were given a day there, I know exactly what I’d want to do…

After a hearty English breakfast at my oceanside B&B, I’d spend the first part of the morning at the Barbara Hepworth Museum in St.Ives. Her sculptures are so monumental and luscious - the kind you want to touch and feel - and it’s allowed. The museum is located in her former home, with a wonderful garden where her work is exhibited.

I’d then stroll around some of St.Ives’ many art galleries and artists’ studios, before picking up a generous helping of fish n’ chips at a local place I remember, close to Norway Square. I’d then steer away from the hungry seagulls in the harbour, and sit down in Norway Square with my lunch. If I’m very lucky, a troubadour or poet will be doing a reading or playing a few songs there…
After lunch, I’d cool off in the sea. St.Ives has at least 4 marvelous beaches, with names like Porthgwydden and Porthmeor… The latter is even a surfing beach on a good day, and it’s beautiful!

In the afternoon, I’d try to get to the Eden Project, that I haven’t seen before. As they say: “Welcome to our global garden: a place of beauty and wonder which explores humankind’s dependence on natural resources.”

At this point, I’d probably have to try to bargain with whoever gave me this day - I’d need at least another 6 Days out in Cornwall to get to see everything and enjoy it thoroughly…

In the evening, I’d try to get tickets to the Minack Theatre. It’s an open air theatre, the life work of Ms. Rowena Cade, and it’s breathtaking by day - I can only imagine what it must be like seeing an actual play there. It’s built on a cliffside, overlooking the sea, and totally at the mercy of the elements. Well worth a visit, and a place I will visit again, whether there’s a show on or not.

Oh - I’ve forgotten to eat. For my evening meal, before the Minack, I’d either explore the St.Ives waterfront and sample a nice looking restaurant, or go to one of the local pubs for “pub grub”. It’s Britain, after all.

Howz’at? Do I get a few more days? I’d love to go to Mullion Cove and Newlyn too, and I’ve never been to Penzance. As for the beaches - what’s a couple of hours there - they’re made for some serious sunbathing…

I just had occasion to do that, because our car broke down just before our planned trip up in the mountains, and I wasn’t going to reschedule. Renting a car is not something I do very often, and certainly not around here. I was in luck - I’d ordered a smallish car, but the car in question still had winter tyres on, so I got a brand new station wagon for me and the brats - and all our gear - at the same price, of course… I like the new car feeling, and renting a car is probably the closest I’ll get to it in a very long time!

Anyway - I went the old route with my rental booking - via the Yellow Pages, since I needed the car that same day. With a little time to spare, I may well have gotten a better deal. At argusrentals.com, for example, there are thousands of car rental locations world wide - even here!

I think it would have been rather fun to book a car rental in my local town via a UK website - especially if I’d have got a better deal too…

Right now, they have great deals for Car Hire Spain - £11 per day in Alicante and Malaga - although I’d prefer to get out of the heat this time of year, and go to… say… Dublin, where I could have one for £12. Including unlimited mileage, which I didn’t get here…
Except, of course, for the fact that those weird Brits drive on the wrong side. Since closing your eyes while driving is considered bad form over there, I think I’d go for somewhere in mainland Europe.
My point? Eh - wherever you go, chances are you can rent a car from Argus. Happy Holidays!

I would love to be able to go on a cruise some time. I’d be a very easy customer, mind you. As long as I’m fed and allowed to sit on deck with a book doing absolutely nothing, I think I’d be more than happy for a week or two or three… I might be coaxed into going ashore to feel the sand between my toes from time to time, and maybe soak in a little local atmosphere, but that’s about it.

Where to go? With my humble requirements, you might say it wouldn’t matter, and you might be right. I’ve traveled quite a bit in Southern Europe, and any of the Mediterranean Cruises would be a lovely way of seeing familiar sites.
As for other European Cruises, I think I’d opt for Northern Europe - maybe even Norway. This country is larger than it looks, and it’s got some of the most beautiful scenery known to man - especially along the coast. What better way to enjoy it than from the deck of an ocean liner with all the good things in life at your fingertips?
Ah - but the more exotic venues are tempting too. Cruises from New York will take you (or me, in this case…) to all four corners of the world, but the Caribbean does hold a certain fascination for me. Climate, people, food, scenery - it’s about as different from trusty old Norway as anything. That’s probably where I’m most likely to get my fill of sand between my toes, palm trees and drinks served in fruits…

The ships themselves are way beyond my imagination… They’ve got everything, they’re like floating cities and then some. Pools, jacuzzis, beauty salons, bars, bars, bars, lounges, restaurants, restaurants, spas, fitness centers, cinemas and so on and so forth - I sometimes wonder why they bother to dock at all…

It may not be something I’d choose to do every year (or several times a year, as my blogger friend Bee does), although there’s always a danger of being hooked, I’m sure!
Once in my lifetime though - I’d really, really love to experience a proper cruise on a proper cruise ship. I know the kids would absolutely adore it.
Oh - and if you think a cruise isn’t for kids - have a look at what’s on offer, and you might change your mind too!

Stating the obvious, you say?

Perhaps, but May 17. is our National Day, and the whole country is hoping for good weather, plenty of ice cream and happy children in parades…

Also, #1 Brat is in the midst of celebrating her graduation, and May 17. marks the end of that as well, with a parade that we’ll go and see.

If I manage to remember my camera tomorrow, there’ll be pictures…

Oh - what are we celebrating? Our independence. The day marks our independence from Denmark and the birth of our very own constitution, both of which happened in 1814. The independence didn’t really last, as Sweden took over, and we were coupled with them until June 7. 1905. Still, May 17. remains the day when Norways constitution was proclaimed, and is a symbolic day of celebration. Lodged in the middle of V Day (May 8.) and June 7., it’s a good day to celebrate both the constitution, the final independence in 1905 and the liberation in 1945…

My best summer vacation ever was a trip the whole family took to France a few years ago. We flew to Paris and rented a car there, then drove down south to see my father - and a bit of sunshine.
We got all the sunshine we needed, good food and family fun - what more do you need?

The next time we take the family abroad, we hope to take them all a bit further afield - at least somewhere sunny, with a nice hotel that caters to all age groups. We hope to find somewhere with a bit of history and culture too - we’re not your typical beach bums. When I say further afield, I don’t mean to be as adventurous as to book us all flights to India, but perhaps Greece, Spain or even Turkey…
I’d definitely get a pre-arranged package though - booking on the ‘net is fine when us two adults are traveling alone, but if we’re to take the whole gang off on a “proper holiday”, we’d want to be sure about everything.

At Dialaflight.com, you talk to an actual person, who’ll make sure you get exactly the holiday you want, whether it’s a weekend break, spa holiday or beach holiday.
Setting out on a trip that’s tailor-made for our family will be a new experience for all of us, and I’m certain we’ll all enjoy it. Yours truly will, anyway. It’ll be a nice change to not have to work everything out as we go along. I might even be getting a rest…