Einar and I got back late last night from a fun visit in London with Brynja, Hinrik and Bjartur. :) Thanks for being such wonderful hosts, Brynja and Hinrik!! We had a blast!

Bjartur was his usual charming self, full of energy and wonder, eager to communicate and share his enthusiasm about lions and trains and buses. His baby sign for train is pumping his whole arm and hand up and down as though tooting a train's whistle, and he does it with so much enthusiasm and so often that I'll bet he has muscles in his little arm to rival anyone's! :) Simultaneously, he makes eye contact and hoots and keeps looking at the train. There's no way one could miss what he's saying! As soon as the train leaves, he makes the same sign again and spreads his arms wide as if to say 'where is it?'. Then he looks and looks and signs and signs until another comes into view.

We saw Brynja's campus and her particular building although we did not go inside. We also walked along the Thames, saw the Queen's palace, Westminster Abbey and two parks adjoining the palace: Green Park and St. Jame's Park. The latter was my favorite. Both are totally open to the public and well sought after. But St. Jame's Park boasts a pond, beautiful tree lined paths and a variety of wild water fowl, as well as squirrels galore. The leaves had turned colors and covered the paths and surrounding grass - lovely! And the weather cooperated - warm and sunny for the most part (upper 60s I think).

Bjartur woke up from his nap just as we approached the pond and could not contain his enthusiasm. When let down from his carriage, he chased squirrels here and there as well as a group of kids. He was so happy to be able to run free and played endless tag with his daddy along our walk!

At home he would play with his toy train or with his blocks; both made him very happy. But as soon as he sat down, he wanted to read one and all of his books - he can't get enough of them. :) My little guy!!!!! ;) hehe

Every chance he got, he would scramble under the dining table, his own private refuge, just waiting for someone to pretend to come after him. Then he would squeal with joy, tuck back farther into the corner or, if someone actually crawled in after him, use any available out to evade capture. As soon as he was free, he would head right back under there and the game would start all over again. lol

Faced with hills in every direction from their house, I was forced to increase my stamina to keep up with everyone whenever we went out for a walk or to explore. That's a good thing. :) I can now walk more easily, although I still can't do stairs. When I described this to Lora, she called London my 'personal trainer'. Not bad for 5 days. hehe

Once Bjartur was asleep for the night, if we had the energy, we four adults would play our favorite board game: Settlers of Catan. Hinrik and Brynja took turns winning, but the last game we played, the winner had to work for it; by then, Einar and I had finally remembered the rules of the game and were able to exercise more strategy. We played up to the very minute we had to leave for the train station. There's dedication, for ya! lol

Yup, it was a wonderful vacation: challenging, interesting, and time spent with fun people. We're already thinking about when to go back for another visit. ;)

Now I am trying to catch up on chores, and get back into my usual routine. But I am feeling rather tired so it may take a day or two. That's okay. Andri left the house in pretty good order so it's mostly restocking the fridge and doing laundry that need to be done. And I can rest in between and drink a cup of tea, or read email or make an entry here, none of which are too strenuous. Even so, I got in my daily walk while grocery shopping, so I don't feel I'm being too lazy.

Before I close, I want to offer up congratulations on the arrival of two newborns: a little boy to Már and Stína, and a little girl to Tobbi, Begga and Siggi's oldest son. Best wishes to both tykes and their parents and to the new grandparents. Ain't it grand?!!! :)

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