The Vikings are Invading!

Got your attention? Good, sadly it is a slightly inaccurate title as all the history I have studied suggested that it was Danish Vikings that always pillaged Britain rather than the Norwegians. They were pre-occupied with Iceland and Ireland, never the less I am never one to let a slight historical inaccurate ruin the opportunity for a dramatic blog title.

Anyway, Marianne and I are eagerly awaiting a visit from her family (Mother, Father, Sister Tia, and Sisters Boyfriend Pål) to attend and celebrate her graduation after passing her Masters in Public Health Nutrition. A massive achievement for which I for one am very proud. Hun er kjempe flink!

I am looking forward to for the first time hosting all of them rather than being the hostee as they have been so great to us when we have spent time with them in Norway. This visit is however made more interesting still as my Mother suggested she and her husband Dave take this opportunity to also spend a few days up here to see me, have a weekend away as it is her birthday and to meet the family that have helped to convince me that moving to Norway is a great idea.

I should mention that typically nerves around meeting people and introducing others is almost never an issue for me, I'm a very social person and I am always confident in the success of any social gathering. That being said, yes this time, I am a little nervous. I am 100% confident that everyone will get on great as they are all interesting, funny and intelligent people but I find I'm saying to myself "This is the first meeting between your family and the family that you will soon be emigrating near to and eventually marring into". Even for the cool calm and collected, that's pressure! Thankfully Marianne's family all speak very good English and I don't foresee much of a problem their although I do sympathise with them as I'm sure it will not be the easiest and most relaxing thing to spend so much time listening to and talking in English. They can all blame Marianne for choosing to hook up with an Englishman, I'm taking as little responsibility as possible.

Slight nerves aside I am very excited and looking forward to all spending some time together which will of course largely revolve around some very tasty meals, wine and many good laughs I'm sure. It will also provide me with plenty of photos and things to blog with after I imagine.