The Family Cake

I love cake. I love to make cakes. I love to look through recipe books at cakes. I do cake well.

In particular, Battenburg, Fruit, Victoria Sponge, Madeira, Chocolate, Lemon drizzle, Cherry and Almond, Caffe and Walnut and don't get me started on eccles cakes. I would struggle to choose my favourite.

This became a slight problem when choosing 'the' wedding cake, I hit a wall of, well, Cake. It would have been easy if we had had a favourite but we didn't. I was struggling to narrow down my list from all favourites to just one. In the process becoming ever so slightly irrational in my devotion to entire recipe books. In the end I decided to go with tradition which led me uncompromisingly in the direction of the fruitcake. A proud mix traditionally seeped in hours of love and care, but not Norwegian, which was the other ingredient in our cultural bowl. 

In the meantime happy to find a non edible distraction, I set to work on the topper. I had found a wonderful shop selling solid wooden peg dolls called Goose Grease, on Etsy, and decided to buy some to immortaise our family for the top of the cake. Within a week, and for a very decent price, two wooden families arrived in Denmark ready to be painted. Being me I didn't follow the instructions and jumped straight in to painting. There followed one of my favourite projects from the whole summer ( although I think next time I would not paint the faces which is what they recommended anyway on Goose Grease)

The new family needed something to sit on and we still hadn't decided on a cake. In the end, we compromised. We would indeed have a traditional fruit cake but it would be a small one, iced in white with our wooden family a top. Alongside the fruitcake we would have a tower of cupcakes, vanilla and lemon, iced with buttercream to resemble the hydrangea that were in my bouquet.

Which is where the master, Carolyn Rafferty Stewart of Stewarts Cakes came in to save the day. Carolyn works tirelessly within the ex-pat community here in Copenhagen to create countless beautiful cakes to suit all tastes and all ages. For our wedding she produced a glorious tower of cupcakes that tasted as good as they looked, as well as our beautifully elegant, white iced family fruitcake. They were to us the perfect cake's.

I do still love all cake, but there are now two that stand out all on their own due to the memories that fill their every crumb. 

My new favourites.

Thank you Carolyn.

Pre vintage, vintage

A couple of months ago I needed a dress. Now, I know that there are plenty of wonderful shops here in Copenhagen that I could go to to find the 'right' dress for a special occasion. I did indeed spend far longer than I ought to have traipsing round all the vintage stores. Hoping to find something unique and so inherently me that it would almost leap from it's hanger and onto my being with a grateful sigh, in doing so transport me into the pages of Vogue magazine.

But, it didn't happen. I am not entirely at one with the heady aroma that seems to settle upon vintage clothing and I find myself using an inordinate amount of anti bacterial hand cream on such trips. Yet I cannot keep myself away in the hope that I will, on occasion, find that special piece. I did indeed find a few things, another habit I need to conquer for a dress does not mean shoes, clutch or anything else but the illusive dress. I also found another dress but decency and a three child cleavage prevented me from acquiring it, although how tempting to step back a decade.

So I gave myself a challenge, make a dress for a very special night out from fabric in the house. I had some shirt fabric I had bought earlier in the year to make something for my husband and a soft grey wool that in a moment of ambition would have made a beautiful jacket, but they had lain untouched ever since reason coupled with sewing ability stepped in.

This is the result, it wasn't perfect I admit but I class myself as a beginner and hope to practice. It is the photograph I used for the background for my blog hence this post. I thought I ought to share where the image came from. The dress was the dress I wore for my hen party just prior to marrying my very own Scandinavian after a very long, eleven year (apparently Scandinavian) courtship.

I think from now on I might try to make many more of my own clothes, maybe one day they will become a vintage find for someone else in need of that especially unique special something.

Copenhagen post; Active Children

Kids Corner | Inspire your kids with the spirit of games

Kids and parents alike chasing their passions in Sparta Politiken Mini Marathon that held in May

What a wonderful couple of weeks it has been sharing the triumphs and tears of the global athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The boys saw many of the various sports, and I watched as their enthusiasm and patriotism for both Great Britain and Denmark grew as the Games progressed. 

I remember clearly as a child running endless laps around the garden as my father timed me and my cousins whilst we aimed to emulate Linford Christie and co. (As an adult, I now think he was being kind to us and that my nine second 100-metre sprint was possibly fictitious on his part.) 

And I hoped that the spirit of the Games would infect the children in much the same way and was delighted one day to find them perfecting forward rolls in unison as they watched the gymnastics. I was ever so slightly less delighted upon realising that at the peak of each roll their aim was to emit wind from their bottoms, but their giggles showed they had no such inhibitions. 

As I hear them charge around the garden being Mo Farah, I feel a sense of responsibility and a need to bottle their excitement for sports, and thankfully Copenhagen has lots to offer in this respect. Just last week, my eldest spent five days training with hundreds of school-age children at a Danish football camp. He had an amazing time and came home exhausted but eager to return each morning to his new friends and a very well organised yet fun training programme.

Of course, the weather does dictate and each sport has its own season, so it is worth investigating what happens and when. Not that a little rain ever put anyone off in Copenhagen! We will continue with the various sports we already know and love, but I will use the Olympic moment to encourage the children to try new activities in this new school year ... although maybe not air-propelled gymnastics.

Contact your local council for information regarding the activities available in your area, but here are some other suggestions.

Sparta Politiken Mini Marathon - In May, the two eldest joined in with the Sparta Politiken Mini Marathon at the stadium in Østerbro. It was our fourth year competing in the races and one of the best family days in our calendar. The little ones go first with their one kilometre races staged according to their birth year – parents are free to run alongside and it can get pretty competitive as they vie to be the first off at the starting pistol! The older children run a two-kilometre race that takes them out of the stadium and around a course before returning to their moment of glory at the finish line. You do not need to be a member of Sparta club to join the marathon, and it takes place in May each year. Just go online and fill in the application, or alternatively sign up on the day for a little extra charge.

Saturday 18 May 2013 (80kr); Apply online at www.sparta.dk

www.kulturogfritid.kk.dk -Invauable resource detailing all the sport to be found in Copenhagen as well as many other leisure time activities.

'Do nothing' is an art in this fast-paced world. So teach your kids to appreciate the leisure moment

Danseplaneten - This is a dance school very close to the international schools offering a range of dance styles for all ages. The International dance class is on Thursday afternoons. See its website for more information.

Waterfront Shopping Centre, Hellerup; www.danseplaneten.dk

Hellerup Idræts Klub - This sports club, which is set in the heart of Hellerup, offers football, tennis and handball for adults and children. Enquire for more information.

Hartmannsvej 37, 2900 Hellerup 

CrossFit Copenhagen - Max effort cross training for adults, but children can now join in specialised classes at the weekend.

www.crossfitcopenhagen.dk

Nørrebro Klatreklub (Climbing club) - Membership costs 390kr for children, 890kr for adults.

Nørrebrohallen at Bragesgade 5, Cph N; www.nkk.dk

Spreading the love

It has been a disjointed summer for me and probably why I haven’t written as much as I would have liked on Scandineighbour. Four and a half years ago I went to the supermarket close to where we live and heard a family speaking in a very familiar accent. I lingered and feeling brave/ slightly desperate I went over and introduced myself to them eager to make conversation and hear a voice from home. It was the start of an invaluable friendship, a pairing for cups of tea and conversation, dog walks and utter support.
Three and a half years ago I became friends with another mother of two boys and an instant camaraderie was born, a friend with whom I immediately had much in common, as did our children and the two more who would arrive. A friend to cook with, explore with and share mutual feelings as our children lurched from tree top to tree top on outings in Denmark.

2012 is the summer of which I have to bid farewell to my two friends as they move on to new adventures, new countries and hopefully wonderful new friendships. As a result I haven’t felt that much like writing, rather more enjoying the moment, making the most of time as well as having a heavy heart at the farewells that linger and challenge my creativity.

Two days ago we ordered a take away and got together to create one last batch of preserves to be shared up and enjoyed in Copenhagen and soon beyond. Between us we have trawled our recipe books over the years looking for recipes to make and have thus far produced a brilliant homemade fresh vegetable stock, pots of the stuff. A fig preserve, delicious with manchego, plum jam, strawberry jam etc etc.

The plan this time was a simple strawberry jam and a more robust redcurrant, chili jam to make the most of the redcurrant season that is upon us currently. But then we sat down with a spread of sushi, a bottle of wine and the evening just passed us by until a toddler appeared somewhat reluctant to miss the party. He joined us for a chat but would have hindered a late night jam considerably so we put the evening to bed. Inspired I awoke the next morning and summoned my boys to the kitchen. Their task? To chop, prepare and make a simple strawberry jam with lemon whilst I tackled the chili and the endless task of readying redcurrant’s. Within two hours we had produced a modest batch of aromatic spicy jam, perfect for a cold meat or slice of manchego and a strawberry jam filled with the taste of warm summer days.

Another ‘farewell’ meal for four friends last night at Patepate in town and a task, to bring a farewell gift that captures your unique friendship in Copenhagen. Not easy when the friend you are to wish farewell has been part of everything you will remember about being here. Which is why two pots of jam seemed actually quite fitting. Filled hopefully with happy memories of afternoons at the stove, babies by our ankles playing with lids and wooden spoons. To recall hours spent picking fruit in the fields north of the city with children worth their weight in berries, fingers stained with juice. Most importantly for me they are filled with love and a gratitude for time shared together, a token of reassurance to have on the table in a new home whilst establishing a new network that will soon become as fulfilling as the one that bids farewell.

It is not goodbye, it is thank you for being here, thank you for the memories, thank you for your friendship.

See you very soon, dear friends

xx

Kids Corner: Copenhagen Post

Enjoy fresh-picked strawberries from Vejborggaard

Every year at the start of the long summer holiday, I request the same task of my children: that they write or draw a list of all the things they hope to do together whilst not at school. Of course, the usual requests for the zoo, the safari park and fishing for crabs during long days at the seaside are included, and those we do. I don’t think it hurts every now and then to allow them to indulge their tastebuds too, and I am always amused by the many gastronomical treats that make the list. I am one very willing chaperone.
Maybe we should make a start on our lists.
Paradis You will probably already be very familiar with Paradis, an ice cream shop that specialises in fresh Italian ice cream. The first Paradis shop was opened in 2000 by Thor Thorøe in Aarhus, following his return home from a period working in a gelateria in Rome. Using the Italian ethos of a daily production using fresh natural ingredients, each Paradis shop has an ice cream manufacturer working tirelessly in the production room behind the store to produce as much fabulous ice cream as is needed every day. My elder boys are divided between creamy and fruity: one always chooses the sublime pistachio alongside another chocolatey flavour, while the other always has fruit sorbets – most typically peach and blueberry scoops. The little one can have anything that won’t stain the front of his clothes!
Many Cph locations; www.paradis-is.dk
Somonds Bolcher When the weather dictates something warmer than frozen treats we love to visit Somonds Bolcher where one can stand and watch as fifth-generation master craftsmen use century-old techniques to hand-make traditional sugar sweets. Tucked away just two minutes walk from Norreport station is where you can find the door to a sugar-coated past and it is well worth a trip. From the viewing gallery you can watch as molten sugar is crafted into spectacular confectionary before visiting the shop to have your selection weighed out on old-fashioned scales. We are always mesmerised when we visit and I believe it’s a real must-see here in Copenhagen.
Nørregade 24 & 36; open Mon-Thu 09:15-17:30, Fri 09:15-18:00, Sat 10:00-14:30, closed Sun;www.soemodsbolcher.dk

Vejborggaard fruit farm Of course, not every treat has to involve sugar. Take trips to The Halifax burger bar (www.halifax.nu), drink smoothies at 42 Raw (www.42raw.com) and try brunch at Granola (Værndemsvej 4, Cph V, open Mon-Fri 09:00-17:30, Sat 09:00-16:00). Or how about getting back to nature with a visit to a pick-your-own farm, our ultimate favourite being Vejborggaard, 30 minutes north of the city. Spend time picking fresh strawberries and other seasonal fruits at your own pace, surrounded by beautiful countryside. It is pure pleasure on a warm

summer’s day to let the children go free, collecting red jewels as they wander off in search of the ‘perfect’ strawberry. Mind-blowingly delicious on their own or indeed crafted into some homemade ice lollies, I too am eagerly looking forward to our first visit this month.

Roskildevej 203, Freerslv 3330 Gorlose;www.vejborggaard.dk
This section was contributed by Sally McWilliam, who has lived in Copenhagen for four years with her family. During this time, she has established a website,www.scandineighbour.com, in which describes many of the wonderful places to visit within the region. Sally is also a co-founder and author of the new English blog for Aarstiderne, www.soiltostove.com.
Original Article printed in the Copenhagen Post on the 17th June 2012

Happy 3rd Birthday Books and Company

This week I had the absolute pleasure of joining forces with a wonderful friend to surprise another wonderful friend on the third anniversary of her business. Within 24 hours we had planned, invited, baked and finally met with an even larger group of friends from the community to say a very big Happy Birthday to Books and Company in Hellerup.  It was a pop up celebration and a memory to treasure for all who joined.
These are the pictures of the cake that I baked with my two year old son to share with everyone. The birthday cake recipe is taken from The Nordic Bakery Cookbook, a double batch with strawberries both fresh and freeze dried.
CONGRATULATIONS  to Isabella and Co at Books and Company... enjoy!

Kids Corner: Copenhagen Post

Kids Corner | Artistic ways to spend time with your child

Article written for the Copenhagen Post In Out magazine in May.

Some of the fondest memories I have from my childhood days are those that stem from hours spent being creative with my mother. She must have had endless patience because I can clearly remember that my sister and I were never the neatest of artists, yet I walked away with a love of art that I try hard to instill in my own children. There are plenty of art supply shops in the city – we mostly use Panduro and Søsterne Grene for paints and canvases (www.pandurohobby.dkand www.grenes.dk). Then, when we are not busy at home, there are plenty of places to visit in and around Copenhagen to fire up their interests even more.

Creative Space
Creative Space is a ceramic painting workshop we have visited many times since it opened just over a year ago on Gammel Kongevejen in Frederiksberg. Upon entering it can be quite hard deciding which pottery pieces you fancy painting, given the vastness of choice. Once you have chosen, you will be shown to your table and given a box of equipment to use. The equipment box is such a good idea that I have

recreated it at home for myself: a wicker box containing a wide selection of paint brushes, sponge applicators and cloths, as well as a paint pallet  – all neatly packed up for your convenience. There is no limit on how much of each colour you can take to paint with, and children are readily encouraged to make their own choices. Once completed you patiently say goodbye to your masterpiece, which first needs to be fired before collection a couple of days later.

Gammel Kongevej 154, 1850 Frederiksberg; open seven days a week; www.creative-space.dk
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Gl Strandvej 13, 3050 Humlebæk; closed Mondays, under-18s free adm; www.louisiana.dk
Louisiana, the modern art gallery in Humlebaek, has a three-floor children’s art space, with a different theme on each level, including painting, claymodeling and drawing. The staff are on hand to assist any young Picassos and there is an ever-changing subject matter for the children to explore. We always make a visit to the children’s section before a stroll through the rest of the gallery, having learnt from painful experience that paint does not dry instantaneously, nor does it remove itself from car upholstery.
Statens Museum for Kunst
Statens Museum for Kunst in the centre of town is also very committed to introducing children to art and utilises all methods to inspire their young subjects. On the first Sunday of every month, children are welcomed into the museum to participate in various activities; whether they wish to get stuck in or take part in a tour, the staff are fully focused on encouraging them to do so. The museum’s website provides a comprehensive guide to the children’s activities and a preview of activities coming up, so make sure to check back regularly.
Sølvgade 48-50, 1307 Cph K; closed Mondays, under-18s free adm; www.smk.dk
In a few short weeks the summer holidays will once again begin and we will all be searching for activities to stimulate, inspire and likewise tire our children. Galleries will be visited, painting will be done, and the patience will be worth it. Our own project is to finish the canvas Earth painting that we began last July and have worked on each holiday ever since. It is big, bold and full of life – just like the three little boys who painted it!

Kids Corner: Copenhagen Post

Keep yourself and the kids entertained while waiting for the sun to come out

Thank goodness the days seem to be growing longer and the sun has returned to brighten the landscape. It’s beautiful but not yet warm enough for the outside activities to be in full force.
Now is the perfect time to explore the museums and attractions that may not be a usual part of the family repertoire: a cultural breath of fresh air before the warm weather allows us to cast aside our coats once again.
It is worth noting that all the mentioned museums can cater to children’s parties - something a little different to enthrall excited children.

Danmarks Tekniske Museum
Tucked away in the north of Zealand lies Danmarks Tekniske Museum. Founded in 1911, the museum holds a large collection of vehicles, including over 30 full-sized aeroplanes and many enchanting cars. We have visited the museum a few times now, which adds a comforting amount of familiarity and an increasing fondness for our favourites. The collection is housed inside an enormous hanger that you enter via the small, but nicely-presented coffee and gift shop.
It is quite something to enter the building and see so many different vehicles, some suspended, others so large you simply can’t fail to be impressed. Whenever we go there is always a steady throng of visitors, but never so many that it feels busy or that you cannot take time over the exhibits, and there always seems to be a calmness surrounding the rooms.

To be perfectly honest, the majority of the visitors are male, aside from the mothers of the boys (that’s me) or grandmothers, but then this is every little boy’s dream museum. It is like landing in the playroom car box, only of course everything is life-sized.
Something to bear in mind is that the hanger is not heated, so in winter, and I tell you this with experience, it can be absolutely freezing. I recommend layering up if you go in the colder months. We love this unassuming museum and will most certainly go again another day, when it rains so heavily you can hear the drumming on the corrugated ceiling, reassuring you that coming to visit was a great idea.

Fabriksvej 25, 3000 Helsingør; adults: 50kr,    children: free adm; www.tekniskmuseum.dk

Orlogsmuseet
Orlogsmuseet, the Danish Naval museum in the centre of Copenhagen, is also a good standby in the case the weather is lousy. It’s perfect for adventurous children, only too happy to release their inner pirate aboard the numerous ships in the basement. As part of their summer programme, the museum invites pirates to come and give a character reference in between voyages. It’s in Danish, but there is plenty of buccaneering action in between to entertain.

Frederiksholms Kanal 29, 1220 Cph K; adults: 60 kr, under-17s free adm; www.orlogsmuseet.dk

Zoologisk Museet
A five-minute drive away from many of the international schools is a wonderful museum that beautifully reinforces the curiosity that emerges after a visit to see the live animals at the Zoo. It is called the Zoological Museum, Natural History Museum of Denmark. Part of the University of Copenhagen, the Zoo Museum (as we know it) houses an extensive collection of over 10 million specimens, all presented in modern exhibitions. The children will love the ice wall that hosts the Woolly Mammoth, and the Darwin exhibition upstairs is fascinating for children and grown-ups alike.

Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Cph Ø; adults:75kr, under-16s    40kr; www.zoologi.snm.ku.dk

Written for The Copenhagen Post 02.04.2012 to see the original article click here

An hour at the farm: Aarstiderne

I took my ever inquisitive two year old son up to Aarstiderne's Krogerup farm on Tuesday for a stroll in the sunshine and to get some fresh inspiration for future writing. I realise that toddlers are not always the easiest of company but at the farm he is in his element and as soon the constraints of the car seat were released away we went. I decided to let him lead the way, sometimes the best inspiration comes from a different perspective and I was happy to follow his wandering path taking pictures as I went.

There were lots of school children working when we arrived, busy creating a history with the soil as they worked alongside classmates and helping hands. Tempted by the sound of water at the sinks that were being used for hand washing, the little one and I made our way across the courtyard and into the Garden Kitchen. The first time my family used the Garden Kitchen was for an event that encouraged children to choose their favourite vegetables, collect a handful of bread dough and get to work on the outside tables chopping and prepping. Vegetables cooked on the repurposed steel drum stoves until they were tender and sweetly delicious and ready to be the topping on freshly toasted flatbread. Rustic, delicious and oh such proud faces on the children that cooked them.

There was no cooking that day as the school groups were busy cultivating rather than harvesting and it was great to see and hear their enthusiasm as they worked. As one of us was fascinated by the stone steps leading down to the sinks the other was able to take a wonder and some photographs, I’ll let you decide who was who! Planted around the central washing area are raised beds containing mixed herbs, chives, lemon verbena, lemon grass and many more. My companion was fascinated by a pair of ladybirds that we found resting on a leaf so we watched them for a while before taking a look at some of the long beds that are home to various fruits and vegetables, it’s all very inspiring and accessible.From there to the giant hay piles that just beg small people to climb aboard, actually age is irrelevant when it comes to this kind of fun. We had a rigorous game of ‘tag’ at a brunch hosted earlier in the year with some friends and thanks to CrossFit and a heavy training schedule I leapt like an ( admittedly older) gazelle across the bales remembering what it feels like to be a child. This time one of us jumped repeatedly whilst the other counted to three, again I’ll let you decide who.

Before we left we stuck our heads into the farm kiosk to see what we could have for dinner and left with enough vegetables for some topped flatbreads later that day. Although it is not staffed, the kiosk is open all day and once you have chosen your goods you place payment in the honesty box so it is a perfect one stop veg shop.

A very satisfying hour or so spent wondering, exploring and enjoying the farm. If you have more time than we did that day is it possible to go further and take in a tour of the wood and surrounding fields which are often home to the farm machinery that excites children old and young. I left with lots of inspiration and pictures to accompany but I thought this week I would start at the beginning and a walk through the space that gave them to me, after all the roots are where it all begins.

The Queens Birthday

I have been wondering how to celebrate my birthday during the summer, it usually passes by without too much fuss due to it being mid July when everyone goes away. This year I thought I might do something a little more special but had been struggling to think of what, thankfully on Monday I found my inspiration.

Leaving the S-Tog at Osterport station a couple of friends and I joined the groups heading down to Amelienborg. There were lines of nursery age children already prepared with great armfuls of flags bubbling their way down the road. The little girls were resplendent in their Disney Princess dresses, a vibrant pink crocodile inching it's way to the palace. Once there we joined the enormous crowd that had gathered for the moment when the balcony doors open and the royal family step forward. At 12 p.m on the 16th of April, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark, walked out into the piercing blue light. The crowd clapped and cheered as she acknowledged us all with a wave or two.

Joinng her and Prince Henrik were their two sons, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joakim alongside their own families. After a couple of minutes spent waving the Queen crossed her arm over her torso and raised it into the air three times, each salute bought with it a loud echoing "hurra" from the crowd as is the custom. The Queens guard in all their splendid costume provided the music, a tune I did not recognize as well as the world famous Happy Birthday to you...

Retreating into what must have been by comparison a silent drawing room the Royal Family again returned to the balcony for an encore and yet more waving. Finally just the Queen and her elder grandchildren came out for one last wave before they disappeared inside to begin the rather more private family celebrations.

As I say, in July I shall celebrate my own birthday and feeling inspired I will do so by standing on the patio (we don't have a balcony) in front of the adoring crowd, (my boys will have flags, they can stand on the grass in front). After a rendition of Happy Birthday (on the iPod due to lack of soldiers) I shall raise my arm and be greeted by three rousing "hurra's" (I'm assuming my other half will cheer the loudest). We shall then withdraw into the house for a very royal supper, well, my name does mean Princess!
Hurra.. Hurra... Hurra

Vega; Kings of Convenience

We are rapidly approaching the one year anniversary of Scandineighbour, a project I began at the start of the school summer holiday a year ago. My intention was simple, I wished to celebrate and record many of the things that I get up to with, or without my children. A record of a life spent living with three wonderful human beings who will one day leave our family home and make their own history. Living away from 'home' and the tree in the garden that records their growth in notches scratched into the bark I felt it would be nice for them to see evidence of all that we experienced as our journey around the world evolves. Ten months later and the blog has continued to grow and through it other opportunities, my hours are now spent writing and taking pictures alongside enjoying every last day at home with an enchanting toddler who'll soon be as independent as his brothers. There is barely a moment to be squandered.

Which is why I am so grateful when we are able to take a moment out and enjoy a life a little less busy. On Sunday evening following a very busy weekend in London of birthday's and wedding shopping, my fiancé and I went out. (That in itself is worthy of a post, our Sunday evenings are usually spent getting children organized and the house ready for five more days of travel and school before we collapse into the couch and fall asleep in front of a film.) Thankfully Farmor was home to babysit and at five thirty on Sunday evening the two of us headed into Frederiksberg to meet some friends at a Tapas restaurant.

Tapas was actually the warm up act for the evening and we settled down for a few glasses of champagne, a good meal and plenty of conversation before heading up to the road to Vega. Vega is a concert venue located in the heart of town that has many brilliant acts performing throughout the year. I do recommend looking ahead in the schedules as some of the bigger acts sell out very quickly, although it is possible to get lucky if you keep an eye on the listings. Vega is a great venue, I love the interior and the stage is very intimate, plus if you are not in the first flush of youth like myself it is possible to at least feel it in among the young crowd.

One of the soundtracks to the early days in our relationship was a duo called Kings of Convenience and it was they that we were off to see that evening. A Norwegian duo from Bergen, Kings of Convenience were excellent and a few fond memories returned as they went through their playlist. The pair had a good rapport with the audience so it was a great way to end the week and an even better way to begin another.

On Monday morning as the boys were trailing swimming kits, reading books, school bags and coats through the door and into the car I happily replayed the music from the night before in my mind. Another week brings a new Scandineighbour post and a renewed promise to share even more places with you now that the light is back and the trees are showing the first signs of green.