Sep 01 2006
Dasha is Ira’s cat, who lives at the in-laws. She has been pregnant for what seems like forever, and Wednesday night she finally gave birth…
4 Cute Kittens, see below for some photos – click for larger versions.
The lighting varies, as I originally turned the flash off, not wanting to annoy/worry Dasha, but forgot on one shot. They would have looked even murkier without a little Photoshop-ing
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Aug 18 2006
OK, as promised, here is some more info, from Mum & John’s perspective.
This is basically a cut’n’paste job from an e-mail they sent to family and friends (with permission I hasten to add ;>)
“”For those of you ancient enough to Radio 4 be familiar with Alistair Cooke’s “Letter from America” this is likely to seem a pale comparison. Certainly less erudite and not as well crafted – but hopefully it will inform and maybe even amuse, though the political comment will be markedly absent!
This is Carol’s second visit to this amazing country and my first. As we flew in at night the lack of any settlements for hundreds of miles prior to landing in Astana was perplexing. It was hard to comprehend such vast tracts of land without population. Then Astana appears on the Kazakh Steppes resembling a modern Emirate city. Disney could not have bettered it! When Carol was here last she arrived through the back door, via the old capital of Almaty, then a twenty three hour train journey across a hot and dusty terrain. She made the trip for her son (Chris) & daughter in law’s (Irina) marriage. Jokingly she had said as she left to Irina’s father that he was to have a new airport built on her return. He did – and a pretty impressive airport to boot! It is so refreshing to see architecture which is not afraid to be adventurous, particularly in the teeth of such extreme weather conditions. Thankfully on this trip it has been kind to Carol & me, between 21°C & 30°C. The temperature can famously vary between -30°C in the winter to +40°C during the short summer months.
Continue reading “A Little Later Than Intended”
Aug 17 2006
Mum & John left early this morning, heading to Heathrow, via Istanbul.
It was brilliant to see them again, and a little sad when they left, but Ira & me hope to visit the UK around Christmas time.
I’ll post more on their visit in a while, but just wanted to take this opportunity to thank them for coming, and our Kazakh friends & family for making them feel so welcome.
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Aug 10 2006
This time 5 years ago, I was about to get married here in Astana, Kazakhstan.
In a few respects, so much has changed in my life since then, but most of the time it truly does not seem such a long time ago I was putting on that suit, willing myself not to sweat too much in the blistering heat, and exchanging vows with my beloved, Irina (Ira).
It has been really good to have Mum&John around for this celebration, and to be making friends out here. I’m hoping Dad and Jan will be able to make it out some time next year. It is also a sad time, as Grandma passed away last week. I don’t really know how to convey the emotions this obviously invokes, except to say she will be missed by many, many people.
Whilst I don’t know what exists beyond our understanding of the physical world, nor what happens to our essence when we pass on, I hope that the joy she gave to others in her long life will mean something positive for her in whatever journey she is now on. Good bye grandma. We all love you…
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