Evelyn got a graduation present from her other medical friends, Baschi, Beate and Rosie. A quick kit of torture implement to inflict pain on the unwary patient. I'm not sure what the snowman thingie is though. But look at that smile. Very happy for it all to be over. 

Evelyn has finished Medicine

Evelyn has finished her studies. Her final exam most fittingly was paediatrics and she got a number one for that which she totally deserved just for all the stress we had leading up to this final day.

The flowers are what I bought her as a little gift. 

Pregnant Smurf

Smily Pregnant Smurf

Thoughtfull Pregnant Smurf

Nervous Pregnant Smurf

Serious Pregnant Smurf

Sexy Pregnant Smurf

News Years Eve in Vienna

It's almost one year since I landed here in Vienna to be with Evelyn. Lots has happened and lots is yet to happen. I have a beautiful baby daughter on the way. We seem to have set a bit of a trend in this regard actually. Moni and Ryan, Aitana and her boyfriend ( sorry I don't know his name yet ), Sybilla and Wolfgang are all following in our grand footsteps. Who will be next? At least we know our little girl will be the oldest and the one leading all the others into adventures and trouble :)

We spent New Years eve at the hostel where Rosie, Alex and Baschi work. A friend of the girls, Lorenzo who is a great percussionist gave us some rhythm for the evening and Alex served beers behind the bar which in my case was one too many :) Still we all made it past midnight, dancing away as the clock ticked past twelve and welcomed in the new year which I am sure will be as full of surprises as this past year has.



Forgot to mention that just before Chrsitmas Evelyn, Baschi and I went to see Franz Ferdinand playing to a full house in Vienna. Pretty damn good show. Those boys are fun. Everybody was jumping and dancing though I got bit scared for Evelyn and the Kleiner as the pushing and shoving escalated so we moved a bit to the back but still had loads of fun.

B

Christmas snow holiday in Kals

After Christmas Evelyn, Edith, Baschi and I headed off into East Tirol to a tiny village called Kals, high in the mountains. There we spent three days skiing, snowboarding and mountain hiking in a very beautiful setting.



Climbing a ridge near Groß Glockner. The snow was deep with a thin crust on top and Evelyn and I kept breaking through and being up over the knees in snow so the going was tough. In the valley when we started the climb it was -18.5 degrees C and my toes encased in wooly socks and thick leather boots felt like they were going to freeze off.



Edith and Baschi both had touring ski's so the climb up the ridge was somewhat easier for them both. Here we are taking a break. I think the view behind is to Groß Glockner, Austria tallest mountain standing close to 3800 meters high.


The hut at the bottom of the ridge that served good hot greasy Austrian cuisinne. Just what you want after hiking at altitude in very cold conditions :)

Baschi has Evelyn and I pose for a romatic interlude on the mountain. I think it is quite cute.

Above is another spectacular view onto the opposite ridge across the valley from our climb. At this height the sun was out and we were quite warm though the air temperature was probably still -13 C.

Resting in our lovely little apartment in Kals. It was an extra room in an old farmhouse. Downstairs the cows are inside for the winter and we got fresh milk and eggs every morning from the charming lady who ran the place.


Above is a view up the vally to Groß Glockner.

Baschi very happy to be in the great outdoors :)