[Photos taken 25 – 30 June 2023, posted online 16 March 2024 from Brussels. Yesterday I saw dinosaur fossils, and The Smile (nearing dinosaur-status, but not fossilized, yet).]
We went on an afternoon-trip with mom to celebrate her birthday a few days prior with a fleet of four cars, then attended another university graduation party (we know so many studious kids!). A few days later, we celebrated Bjarki’s 16th birthday, and he took his first driving lesson, thankfully returning unscathed.
Sunday 25 June 2023
Mom surrounded by offspring, spouses, and grandchildren. One brother sadly couldn’t make it.
We asked what she wanted to next, and this is us driving a little ways to check out a cemetery in nearby Stokkseyri.
There lies the paternal grandfather (or great-grandfather?) of my brothers.
Mom is a great enthusiast about passing stories of prior generations down to the younger generation. We vary in receptivity.
Next to the cemetery is a lookout point.
Siblings by the Atlantic Ocean in the rain
All small coastal towns have a harbor/pier.
Mom and two brothers in the rain.
Before leaving Stokkseyri, we stopped by Þuríðarbúð, the bunker/hut of Þuríður.
It has been rebuilt a couple of times, most recently in 2001, and is based on educated guesswork. The name refers to Þuríður (1777 – 1863), a woman who was a sailing foreman, wearing men’s clothing to do the work. This was very rare.
We crowded inside.
People were either a lot smaller in the olden days, or nobody slept fully stretched out?
Oh look, a window!
Does glass constitute cheating?
Heading back to the cars.
Our fleet, and a few of the houses of the town.
Driving back, over a bridge on strong pillars.
Saying goodbye to mom, after a lovely, albeit wet, afternoon.
That was not the end of the Sunday celebrations, as shortly after arriving home, we departed for another university graduation party, this time a BSc in Civil Engineering! Here the budding engineer is flanked by his proud parents.
I’m not the only mother with a camera in the family!
Are you hungry yet?
Speech by a proud papa.
Not sure about this phone-person.
Three generations!
As luck would have it, there was a shoe mix-up, and I had to chase down the correct pair for one of the kids in a different part of town. Darn fashion making all the shoes look the same!
Monday 26 June 2023
Gymming in the nice weather.
Fire-sunset-sky. Summer equinox had come and gone, and now the days would start getting shorter.
Tuesday 27 June 2023
Ridiculously good looking oatmeal with fruits and almonds at the gym for breakfast. I caved a few times and got this until I found a decent substitute at work.
Emma’s been all-in on slime for the better part of a year. She likes all the different textures, and often kneads it like bread and stretches into thin membranes. It’s pretty cool!
Wednesday 28 June 2023
16 year-old birthday-boy heading into work at the scouts, corralling young kids.
Bjarki’s first driving lesson! Time is bonkers!
They had a good long talk before taking off, and returned in one piece!
It’s becoming a custom to visit a nearby grill-house for birthday celebrations.
With a shake-sparkle! Happy birthday Bjarki!
Thursday 29 June 2023
Bjarki had requested a salt-caramel-cake for his birthday from Anna, our master-baker. It took longer to make the cake than expected, so it was ready a day late.
Soooo tempting!
A sibling birthday-huddle.
The cake was amazing! I’m not sure if Anna will agree to go through all the work needed to assemble it again though…
Friday 30 June 2023
Final June-gym-selfie.
Bjarki lounging by the tomato plant.
A lovely sunset, somewhat marred by the sandy-salty-residue on the windows. It’s hard to keep up with it. Thus end-eth June 2023!
