January 2015

Welcome to 2015! We started the new year with the Pooles in town. On New Year's Day, we went for a walk along the Nyborg beach and the day after we took a drive around Fyn, exploring more of the castles and manors in the area. We happened to drive by Lykkesholm Slot, which has been around since the 13th or 14th century. The castle was once owned by Queen Margrete I and was a favorite of Hans Christian Andersen. 

Nick and Dan on their first walk of the new year

Strangely, we came across some sort of shaggy ox or yak on our walk

Lykkesholm Slot

After spending a week together in Denmark, we all headed to Stockholm. It was a first for both the Pooles and for Heather. Nick was a great tour guide and walked us through Gamla Stan, Stockholm's Old Town; took us to the Vasa Museum; and introduced us to some very tasty restaurants. We also had the opportunity to meet up with the Eggert family for a day! 

Gamla Stan is one of the best preserved and largest medieval cities in Europe. Located on the island of Stadsholmen, it is characterized by cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways, and medieval architecture. The island is home to the Royal Palace, the Nobel Museum, and several churches and cathedrals. 

N + H touring Gamla Stan with the Pooles
after a delicious Indian dinner

More photos of beautiful Gamla Stan by night

We also made a trip to the Vasa Museum. The museum is home to the only almost fully-intact 17th century warship. The ship sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628. For over 300 years, it lay at the bottom of a shipping lane just outside of the Stockholm Harbor. The four-story ship and most of its contents were well preserved by the cold brackish waters of the Baltic. The recovery of the ship took several years and constituted an unprecedented conservation problem due to potential deterioration caused by drying. To avoid drying, the ship was sprayed with chemicals for 17 years and is still in the process of its long, slow, dry out. 

The Vasa Ship

After a great trip to Sweden, the Pooles and Heather traveled back to their respective homes. This trip to Sweden marked the end of Heather's unemployed, jet-setting, bonbon-eating lifestyle. The second week of 2015, Heather found herself employed by Leica Geosystem's OEM division. 

Flowers from Leica Geosystems for H's first day of work!

While Heather was settling into her new job, Nick took a trip to Switzerland.

Beautiful view from Nick's hotel room

The remainder of the month was pretty uneventful for the Guadagnolis...we did enjoy a trip to the Odense zoo though and this included an introduction to some adorable pygmy goats and a 100-year-old tortoise. 

Nick petting one of the cutest animals on earth!