Amsterdam July 2009

When Dean finally returned to the UK after what might have been the longest wait a UK spouse has ever had for a visa, the newly-reunited von Yarralls paid a visit to Amsterdam. The weather was amazing so we had a great time wandering the streets, eating and drinking (which we seem to do a lot of on holidays!). Highly recommend Amsterdam as a weekend destination, plenty to do and the place is small enough to walk around.

Here's Lou strategically placed in front of a park sign

Dean by a canal

And the canals by night. Aw how romantic!

von Yarralls get hitched

Returned to NZ in March 09 to get married. A wonderful trip, the most fantastic day, and the most luxurious honeymoon in Langkawi, a Malaysian island, afterwards. We recommend 5 star living! Have included some favourite pics from the wedding and honeymoon here.
















Westin Langkawi - highly recommended. Spent a week lazing in the sun and drinking cocktails!

Snow day!!

In early February England was hit by a huge snow storm and Louvaine Rd in Clapham Junction was not spared! Monday morning arrived and we had a good amount of snow outside the flat. Dean's work sent out a message telling people not to come in, and while Lou's work was open (and transport was running albeit sporadically) she didn't have any proper gear to brave the weather.
So we worked as much as we could from home and ventured out a bit later on in the day when the streets were passable. Lots of fun for the little kiwis!!
Here are some snaps from the day:

Here is Dean in his expensive woollen coat, rolling around in the snow



There was so much snow that people had made huge snowmen! Dean, watch the ball!

A cute bunny

A romantic snowman

Our front steps when the snow started the night before

The Bees - #1

The quest for football around London continued with a trip to Barnet. The current precarious nature of Barnet's league position of 2 places above relegation from the football league meant I should try and get there before the season was out. Had a small connection to them via Sarah, whose flatmate used to be their physiotherapist. Free tickets were offered but Joe Devera (right back) snaked them from us on the day.

The ground is located quite close to the last stop on the Northern Line, so a reasonable trip of about 90 mins from home. Went up there with Josh Wright - his introduction to English league football. Certainly the club was more grassroots (great call by Josh) than others I have experienced, with portacabins housing the ticket office, clup shop etc. Club shop had less extensive offerings, but contained all the essentials, a blessing was the lack of crush of punters looking for memoriabilla.

We ended up standing in the covered terrace for a reasonable sum of £15. Very close to the action, and the home crowd didn't waste the opportunity to undertake friendly banter with the opposition players. The atmosphere in the terrace was some of the best, punctuated with a well drilled drummer setting the beat for the chants. Barnet are known as the Bees, simple chants included drum beat… Beeees, or Oh when the Bees go Stinging in to the tune of Oh when the Saints. Away supporters were not treated to the same home comforts, with a couple of open stands and an uncovered terrace more accurately described as a concrete slope.

To the game, the style of game was more hoof and hope than pass and move, with the midfielders not creating rather looking to pick up the loose scraps. The opposition Dagenham and Redbridge were placed in the promotion place-offs, about 17 places higher than Barnet. Not really a lot to tell the two teams apart, but D and R were probably slightly more organised and better on the break. However, I was convinced that I could play at this level when the Barnet goalkeeper went to challenge from a long punt from the other GK, and fumbled under pressure to give a soft goal. That is something I had done a number of times, so no real difference there. Impressive players for Barnet were Michael Leary and Kenny Gillett.

Food options were not too varied, but just what you needed, burgers and hotdogs, cups of tea and coffee, but no Bovril. With only a small crowd, clearing the ground didn't take any time at all.

That makes the grounds attended: Millwall, Charlton, Fulham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Barnet. Remaining are: Tottenham, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, Watford, Leyton Orient, Brentford, Dagenham & Redbridge.

Geneva - Winter Styles

A couple of days after Christmas we went to Geneva to spend a week with Lou's sister and brother-in-law. We were super excited on New Year's eve to wake to heavy snow which continued all day.

We drove across to France and spent the day building snowmen, sledding and throwing the odd snowball. We followed that with a swim in hot pools back in Geneva.







We had a lovely new year's dinner with some friends of Helen and Carlo.



We also managed to get to the Red Cross museum (about time given it was Lou's third visit and Dean's second to Geneva!)
Here's Dean outside the UN.



And by the big chair sculpture




We love having family so close! Plenty of fondue and tiramisu was also consumed...

Chelsea - Close to Home

Chelsea v West Brom, 26 December 2008

This fixture was always on the agenda, as Chelsea is only a few kms from home. Once we decided that we were not going away for Xmas, tickets became a priority. Chelsea only made 1400 tickets available to the travelling fans, but the credit crunch and Boxing Day meant we were able to get tickets, not that cheap at 45 pounds each.

Stamford Bridge is very strangely set out, with a hotel attached to one side, and a fancy restaurant backing on to one end. On match day the club shop had a huge line so we gave that a miss.

Sitting with the WBA fans was, as always an experience. There was plenty of jewellery and tracksuits about.It was a really nice sunny day soDean was able to visibly wear his West Brom top.

Here's Dean the proud supporter:



And Lou trying it out for size, with her "Louise, Number 1 Chick" West Brom badge santa gave her, and our "Loyal Supporters Only" door hanging behind. What die hards we are.

Christmas in London

Here are some photos from Christmas in London - it's pretty grey but lights and decorations cheer things up a little.

First our pretty Christmas tree decorations. The tree looks fake, but that's just how the real trees come here, weird short pine needles, but they come with handy stands, so no messing about with buckets to keep them upright.



We haven't forgotten our gold and black Wellington roots! Sarah made the Wgtn rugby fairy.







This Saturday afternoon walk down Oxford St put us in the Christmas spirit - thank goodness we didn't need to do any shopping though or we would have gone mental.

This is one of the amazing Christmas window displays at Selfridges.



The lights are incredible. Notice how dark it is - at around 4pm!!


Our Christmas decorations in the window of our flat. Pretty bare outside, but at least we have a nice view for any snow that may appear.



We visited the Christmas markets at Hyde Park and posed with snowmen and sang carols with Father Christmas and the kids - trying to get on the "nice" list!


"Dude, where'd you get your broom?"


"Joy to the world, the Lord has come..."