Børøy

We got back from a trip to Børøy, an island North of Stavanger.  We arrived in sunshine and the location was beautiful.  Unfortunately, the weather got pretty bad and we didn't last the week out.

Testing out the safety equipment before getting on the boat

Posing on the balcony on the day we arrived (... the sunny day)

Posing on the balcony

Fishing.  Sophie was keen.  Didn't catch much (or, in fact, anything)

Steinar, the fella in the neighbouring cottage, had a bigger boat than ours (50 Bhp as opposed to our measly 15 Bhp).  We took a few trips in his boat and Sophie enjoyed the speed.  She's now very keen on speedboats.

We got one small crab in our four crab pots.  Steinar got four large crabs in his one crab pot.

There's no shop on Børøy so we would take the boat to a nearby island to get supplies. Beasters really likes speedboats too.

What?

Sports day

Norwegian sports day is for tough kids.  No ice cream vans or medals or trophies (or, thankfully, Dad's Race).

Matthew's First Birthday

We've been a bit late getting these photos uploaded, but here are the pics of Matthew's birthday party.

Matthew and Sophie in pre-party anticipation

Jo put on a good spread and the kids sat around the table for about an hour (which is a record for our house, although admittedly we don't normally serve such kid-friendly food)

Sophie lifts another cake while party boy is distracted

Matthew's first friend, Suhail, who is 3 months older and lives just around the corner.  He's a good role model ... older, well behaved and sartorially-blessed (as you can see on this pic)

First ever taste of cake ... success

Matthew wondering why everyone is singing

A quiet cake moment

More sugar please!

A bit of present opening with Castor 

Come again next year

Beach trip

Took a trip to Sola beach, which wasn't very warm but Sophie and The Beast charged straight into the sea anyway.  It also gave Matthew a chance to show off his new doggy rain suit ... ideal beachwear for the Norwegian Summer.
A nice family sat next to us on the beach.  We watched them arrive, unpack their picnic, and play with their impeccably-behaved, beautifully-dressed children. I got distracted by Matthew eating sand and Sophie sucking sand through a plastic straw she'd found.

Byrkjedal Candle Factory

Where to go on a grey, windy Bank Holiday Monday?  ... Byrkjedal Candle factory of course.  Here's Sophie proudly displaying the candle she dipped herself.  They have a fine display of (closely guarded) geodes.  It's a long drive and, on the way home, we had a game of Hide and Seek in the car.  You should try it sometime.

Bouncing, posing, Minxing and farming at Soma Gard