This is a little report on how our lives unfolded in 1999. It doesn't come as a surprise that the story is centred around the few times that we, Rob and Hild, actually spent in the same place, or at least on the same continent! And on that note, 1999 has been a good year as the Potter/Rygnestad household has been together for a total of four times - if we count last New Year and this Christmas....

It started with an extended New Year holiday in Copenhagen in January, before Rob rushed off to cover large chunks of the European continent by train. He managed to incorporate several research partners in Denmark, Poland, Germany, France and Portugal - oh yes, and some in Britain too. After that rush-around, the continental link in our household was broken by Rob returning to Perth with a stop in San Diego, California, for an annual conference.

In the meantime, Hild's PhD had finally been accepted, which secured a trip to Perth in April - to attend the graduation ceremony. The trip was extended to catch up with colleagues at the university and go to numerous parties and BBQs with friends. The memory of cold Copenhagen was suppressed with lots of trips to the beach.

The year offered several other fun trips. For example, Rob toured Singapore and Malaysia with his rugby team (perhaps a veil of secrecy should be drawn over this part!). And Hild had quite a few trips home to Rygnestad as well. First there was Easter, then there was a 10 year high-school reunion in June and then Rob and Hild both went to Rygnestad for their summer vacation in June/July (after Rob had been to another conference in Germany). That gave them the excellent opportunity to join in on horseback riding in the mountains as well as an elk-safari, all organised by Valle Hest og Natursenter (Adelheid's business).

Hild's job has also given her the opportunity to travel a bit. Several times she has been spotted crossing Denmark by car, train or plane to attend various meetings on Jutland and Zealand, but also on Funen (these are all bits of Denmark even if it doesn't sound like it). Apart from that there isn't much money put aside for travel at her workplace, and a large chunk of the funds were spent by sending Hild and some colleagues to Warsaw for a conference in August. It was worth the money, at least for Hild who got lots out of the trip both socially and professionally (maybe a veil of secrecy could be drawn here as well).

Even if Rob hasn't visited Copenhagen much in 1999, Hild has been very lucky to have other visitors for shorter or longer periods of time. It was great when Adelheid flew in for a long weekend in March, and when Olav and Janet came in October. While Adelheid arrived by plane from Kristiansand, Olav and Janet came over Hirtshals with a car loaded with Hild's stuff. At the ripe old age of 28 Hild has finally moved away from home (completely), and as a result there is now plenty of space in the Rygnestad attic!

There have also been a few gatherings-of-girlfriends in 1999. First Nina visited Jernbanegade in February, while Hilde-Gunn and Inga Beth dropped in on various occasions in June and November. Kirrily came to say hello in September after making a detour on her 'do-Europe' tour. Amanda and Brian from Perth did the same, and that wasn't the last of the Australian visitors because Patty and Nola came for a stay in October. It was great, and it helped Hild prove the necessity of having a large flat in the middle of Copenhagen: to entertain lots of visitors from all over the world. From Rob's point of view, it is a shame he didn't have as many visitors 'cos that is the only time he cleans the flat in Perth!

One down-sides was that, apart from Rob, none of the visitors managed to arrive while the Tivoli Gardens were open. Hild, on the other hand, has continued the success from last year by using her season-ticket to the full. As she doesn't have a garden in Jernbanegade she often brings a newspaper, crosses Axeltorv square and enjoys the Tivoli Gardens for a few hours. And now, at this time of the year, she also uses the gardens to get that good old feeling of Christmas at Tivoli's annual Christmas market: lots of lights, Santas, and decorations... and the odd 'gløgg', which is a more or less potent drink depending on who makes it. Rob is not pleased as he arrives in Copenhagen too late to go to the Tivoli market this year. But, to make up for it, Rob and Hild are going to Tivoli's concert hall on New Years Eve to enjoy 'die Flädermaus'! A great way to celebrate New Year - before we start on the last year of this millennium (and hopefully the last year with a split Potter/Rygnestad household).