Olympics is almost over - fencing report...

So, the Olympics are almost over... Haven't been able to catch too much on TV but have seen three events live - archery, fencing and football. I think I enjoyed archery the most, followed by the football and then fencing. But all were fun. On fencing we had a hard time figuring out the scoring system. We think we figured it out in the end, but not sure... In any case, the pictures below are from the female final and bronze match. South Korea beat France for the bronze and Italy crushed Russia in the final. Italy is said to have the best team ever - in the individual tournament (we saw the team competition) Italy won gold, silver AND bronze!!

The fencing was in excel centre...

The most impressive and successful Italian... Recognised her by her red shoes

Attack!

Score!!

Score again! :)

The Italian tries to avoid, but still - score!

And again!!

Italy won by wide margin!

Team is happy!

So is the audience!

Archery - my first Olympic event

Although I was thrilled about going to an Olympic event (my first and probably last) I wasn't too sure about archery. But it was a lot of fun! In any case I have the proof that I was there :-)

The Ukrainian archer Lidiia Sichenikova put up a great fight! Unfortunately she did not go through....

I wasn't the only one having fun...

Maria cheering for Ukraine with her camera ready for action :-)

I wish this was me ;-) 

My first car

Isn't it always big to buy your first car, even if it happens late... My little polo will be used to tour around UK - can't wait. First stop will be Isle of White and over bank holiday weekend we will drive to Scotland. 

Cuba - a weird but interesting place

To me Cuba was a lot about Che (his picture really is everywhere), run down buildings and cars from the 50s - the country really does seem to have been stuck at 1959, the year of the 'Revolucion'.

But there is a lot more to it. Cubans sure love their music. They love their salsa... Below is from Buena Vista Social Club

This guy was singing at a Hemingway monument

And they are good at cigars... Below is a guy who makes the cigars himself. He let me try. Very sharp taste. I bought a couple of Romeo and Juliette instead. I thought we could have them at Jakob's wedding in a couple of weeks. 

This picture is taken at Hemingway's favourite mojito bar in Havana. 

Part of the trip was a visit to Vinales, a village west of Havana. It was very green. Pretty.

We stayed at 'home shares' with real Cuban people. 

The signs had a purpose...

 

Never seem as many horses with carriages before...

The real Marlborough man? Given the embargo with US it's not likely but who knows...

Finally we spent a couple of days at Maria la Gorda where we got some beach time. 

There were lots of animals (well mostly birds) and we saw humming birds for instance. The shore was extremely stony and the rocks were quite sharp, which made it a bit difficult to get into the water. Even the animals thought so... 

You can understand why Hemingway wanted to live here... It's warm and nice and lots and lots of rum.  Or 'ron' as the Cubans say (or write) ;-) 

Hemingway's type writer

The boat from 'Old man and the sea'... 'Gregorio' - the model for the book inherited Hemingway's house when he passed and he passed it on to the Government. Very Cuban...  

My niece is one year old - crazy...

 She likes falukorv... :-)

When I came to Cuba I noticed that Liten had helped me pack - I have brought her necklace half way around the world...

 She's a very happy child...

 And a bit naughty....

Presents...

Loke was very curious...

 ...a doll!!

 Hmm... boy's toys...

Liten's first cake...