Berit & Chris's weblog

IP banning!

In a desperate attempt to prevent continuous spamming of the site, I banned a series of IP addresses from commenting. Although, we have not had any spam since (or comments...!), I accidentally managed to ban a few friends in the process...apologies!

Ibiza

Chris and I have just returned to Bristol after spending a sunny and relaxing week in Ibiza with Bron, Carita and two-year-old rottweiler, Ira. Despite being renowned for an elaborate clubbing scene more than anything else, the island offers some fantastic beaches and beautiful landscape, and we went for some lovely walks along the coastline between Port des Torrent, where we were anchored, and Cala Bassa. Having been introduced to the main port town on the West coast, San Antonio (Sant Antoni) last year, and finding it less than attractive and inviting (with the exception of Rita's, where we enjoyed countless tasty club-sandwiches), we instead made regular visits to Ibiza Town (Eivissa). Ibiza Town is a mix of new concrete office and residential blocks, an attractive port area of shops and cafés, and an old town rising above the marina.

Mid-week, Carita was able to get us onto the guest list to Pacha, one of Ibiza’s best-known clubs. Being clubbing novices, Chris and I were intrigued to find out exactly why people paid €50 to enter a club! Pacha was, arguably, impressive to look at, bathed in pink light, covering several floors and featuring a lovely outside terrace. Nevertheless, the music failed to impress! And we had perhaps more fun trying out the latest trends in fluorescent clubbing clothes at Cyberdog in Ibiza Town.

Berit's Graduation

Berit recieved her Diploma today, a MSc in Information Technology, E-Business. The graduation ceremony took place in the very new, 14 days old in fact, ITU building opened by Prince Joachim (who has been suffering in the media a bit lately!). This was culmination of two years hard crafting and worrying by the gorgeous Berit who can be seen here trying to avoid having her picture taken whilst being presented with her diploma :-)

The IT University of Copenhagen's new building, in the Ørestad, has only been open for a couple of weeks now so unfortunately Berit never had the chance to use it for anything other than the graduation ceremony. Although there was still the odd finishing touch left to do, the new building was mighty impressive and looks like it will be the perfect backdrop to give future students plenty of inspiration.

Copenhagen bound

Chris and I are spending a few days in Denmark due to my graduation tomorrow, and managed to squeeze in a few coffees with old study friends in Copenhagen today. First, we met up with Maria, my thesis partner, in Baresso on Købmagergade to celebrate life in the real world and the fact that Maria has recently landed a fantastic job with a recognised Danish pharmaceutical company. Later, we met up with my old study group from Copenhagen University to reminiscence about student life, discuss the upcoming American election, and catch up on royal gossip on a day, which brough the announcement of the divorce of prince Joachim and princess Alexandra.

Goodwood Revival 2004

Friday afternoon, we headed for Goodwood in West Sussex for the world’s biggest historic motor racing weekend, The Goodwood Revival. The Revival is a step back in time to the glory days of post-war British motor racing when the sport was at its most thrilling and glamorous.

Everyone attending the racing event is encouraged to dress in period clothing from the 50s and 60s to enhance the experience and romance of motor racing from a bygone era. And no modern vehicles (except ambulances and fire engines) are allowed within the circuit perimeter for the duration of the Revival weekend. As such, period vehicles (pre-66’) provide all necessary services and competitor support, and internal operations are tended by more than 220 pre-66’ vehicles, from delivery and ice cream vans to taxis. To further enhance a unique feel, stalls inside the circuit perimeter are designed to look period, offering food and delicacies popular of that era, and police and military personnel and vehicles of the 50s and 60s regularly ‘patrol’ the area. Imagine the days when the police drove Ferraries…?

Early Saturday, dressed in period clothes, we parked the MGA in the designated pre-66’ car park closest to the main entrance (all modern cars being consigned to a car park further away!). As this picture shows, the car park was packed with beautiful classic vehicles, both rare and more common – this event had attracted a rather large number of similar and red MGAs! New this year, was according to Chris, the EXPO, a shopping area packed with a variety of exhibitors’ stands and traders’ stands, offering anything from classic automobile art and tweed jackets to curry sauces and jewellery. In addition, one large area was designated new luxury cars and classic cars for sale, including Aston Martins, Jaguars and BMWs (this year marking the 75th anniversary of BMW motor cars).

Once inside the circuit perimeter, we located the paddocks to have a closer look at some of the cars, which were due to race this weekend. They included Ferraris, Maseratis, Lotuses, Mercedes-Benzes, MGs, Frazer Nash, Bugattis, Bentleys, McLarens and BRMs. Also on display were immaculate MGs, Jaguars and a 1960 Mini in significantly better shape than ours! Famous drivers to compete in the weekend’s races included Sir Stirling Moss in a 1961 Jaguar E-type and Rowan Atkinson in a 1952 Jaguar MkVII.

To provide some morning and mid-race entertainment, classic aircraft dating from the 40s and 50s – including Spitfires and the Lancaster Bomber – performed some amazing air displays throughout the Revival.

Sunday, being one of the hottest days since early June (!), we settled on the Lavant Straight on the Northern side of the race track for a relaxed day of motor racing. Sunday saw the second of an eight-lap race for motorcycles of a type that raced between 1962 and 1966, a one-hour, two-driver race for closed-cockpit GT cars from 1960-1964, a sixteen-lap race for 1.5-litre Formula One and Formula One-based Tasman cars of a type that raced between 1961 and 1965 (so-called sausage cars!) and many more.