Been asked a few times where the old photo gallery is - please find it here.
I finally took the plunge and stopped hauling out notepad and ftp to update the website. I suspect these are partly why I have been so slow at providing updates.
If there are broken links or images please use the base url adriaanbrink.com - that is where the old site is in its entirety. I have, however, copied the content and will sort out the piccies as soon as possible.
Happy reading and welcome!!!
Arthur
Of Lakes and Mountains and Lazy Days …
This has been an amazing year weather wise. Fantastic winter with great skiing and now a fantastic summer, loads of sunshine and not much rain.
What an amazing place we live in. Not only is it the most civilized place I have ever lived, we are also surrounded by oodles of natural beauty, and if that is not enough it is only a short drive to any one of 5 European countries (Austria and Switzerland and within 15 minutes, Germany, France and Italy not much further).
The lake where our boat is was unusually clear (and low) this year because of the lack of rain. I could dive under the boat (swimming off the boat on a hot day when there is not much wind is one of my favourite occupations) and look up and get an unbelievably clear view of the boat. Look down and watch the fish swimming lazily 15m under the boat! 
Or take a more energetic view and do one of the many mountain walks, like the 6 hour 3 Sisters walk (it was tough - very hot) or the not so easy Magelkopf.
Amsterdam
Not content with being in the center of Europe, Jeanine had to drag the entire family to Amsterdam! OK - truth was her dad was there, and we did of course go via England (to see her family and also my dad) and France (where we had the pleasure of rides on various of Simon’s methods of transport!).
Westside Story on the Lake Stage in Bregenz
Another amazing local attraction - the Seebuhne in Bregenz (Austria). Sit back in the 300 seat auditorium and enjoy a musical enacted on a stage that is over the water. Amazing sets, amazing technical achievements and a musical that I already know (so the german dialogue is OK) and this was something worth watching. The piccies came out quite nicely - take a look! Cheers!
Arthur
40 Years - My BirthdayAnd what a party it was!
My dear beloved wife, seeking the element of surprise (with a lot of help from the crew), arranged for friends from far afield to pretend that they could not make the party and then arrive, secretly, while I was upstairs. Having spent the week being turned down by “mate” after “mate” I was in a state of hopefulness that a good party could still be had by the substantially reduced attendance expected. It was with some trepidation that I descended the stairs as people started to arrive. To be fair, I had an inkling that somethign was afoot - initially thanks to David who let a little bit of the cat out of the bag by suggesting that I did not know about the party (this on the phone as I was on the way to the drinks place to by the beer!), and later when Jeanine cam into the bathroom and closed the curtains, gesticulating strangely out of the window while I was in the shower! It was still with great surprise that I walked into the lounge and found so many friends from far afield poised to party. Not only is such a large gathering great from a presents point of view (thanks!), it also is an essential ingredient in a Great Bash.
A special highlight of the evening was the worldwide premier of “The Movie” produced by Karin and Paul, Directed by Jon, Editing/effects and (I suspect most of the work) Ash, Wine (in part) by me (unknown to me!), various starring roles by Babs, Karin, Grant, Louise and Daniel. What a laugh. I will post a web version here as soon as I persuade Ash to part with it. It’s here!Thanks to Ash you can now sit back and be entertained in one of 3 formats: But wait! There’s more! Yes - it proved to be a daunting task to polish off both kegs of beer on the night so the party continued through the next day as well, eventually petering out at about 3AM on Monday morning. I haven’t had such a fun weekend in ages! For all those who didn’t make it - its probably your own fault (I am sure Jeanine invited you). For those who did - thanks hugely for coming - it was a special party and tremendous fun. I look forward to the first anniversary of the bash next year (keep your diaries open!). For the 1000 words version click straight through to all the piccies here. Cheers!Arthur |
It’s a Boy!!!!
Well … actually we were pretty certain it was going to be a boy for some time before the actual birth.
Anyway - it was fantastic to welcome to this harsh old world another work of baby-art from Jeanine - our 4th (and might I say final) child - Daniel Lachlan Brink.
He came into this world naturally and weighed a healthy 3.5Kg - 49cm short. I guess one gets better at it by the time of the 4th - Jeanine certainly seemed to have everything under control. 3 hours and a bit of labour and out he popped. Not even shrivelled up and purple like they so often are!
I have had a merry time for the past day or so looking after the other 3, but grandmother is here now and so I can share the piccies with the web. They all love the new arrival although Tamara seems to think we have given her a new doll to play with. She gets very possessive and also tends to be a little rough - in the interests of avoiding severe damage to little Daniel we will have to keep an eye on her.
The midwife was the same sister who delivered Oliver, so she remembered us from then. The adventure began at 05:00 (actually it began about 9 months ago but we will take them as read) when Jeanine woke me and said “We had better figure out who is going to look after the children - I need to go to the hospital”. Jeanine’s mom was due out for that task but only on the following day. Babs had offered to help but after 3 discussions with her answering machine I knew that avenue wasn’t going to work. Waking 3 children and taking them with us did not appeal so it was with great relief that we got hold of Imelda Sele who kindly came down the mountain and looked after the kids. Thanks Imi!!
Then off to the Hospital in Vaduz with contractions about 5 minutes apart. Sister Ignatius (I think thats her name) welcomed us and installed us in the latest birthing suite - as per normal Liechtenstein ways fitted out with nice new equipment including a birthing bath. I fitted the TENS mchine - I have to be useful - and Jeanine concentrated on having contractions. At about 09:20 the sister agreed that even though Jeanine was only 4cm dilated it might be a good idea to call Dr Flatz. Memories of Oliver already halfyway out before the good Doctor arrived contributed to our urgency. he arrived very quickly, took one look and said “Go on then - push it out”. So she did. Daniel was born at 09:48.
The last part is slightly abbreviated since I really cant presume to talk to the pain and effort of giving birth. Jeanine is wonderful at it - gets it over with with minimum fuss - what a pleasure (for me anyway!).
So he is born and healthy and now I have to go buy a turkey and fetch Daniel and mother from Hospital. Please have a look at all the photos here. Until later …
Cheers!
Arthur
Skeleton - The Tourist Perspective
As you may know, PLUS Lotto sponsors Caroline Burdet, the Liechtenstein skeleton rider, in her quest for Gold at the Winter Olympics. One of the perks (although I am not sure you would call it that!) is that some of the hardworking staff at PLUS Lotto headquarters in Liechtenstein recently had the opportunity to try this crazy sport out for ourselves.
The 23rd February did not look good for the ride. It was snowing and the track at Iggls in Innsbruck was closed. We had it booked for an hour and were waiting in Liechtenstein nervously for instruction to drive over to Innsbruck. It was with an inner sense of relief that we had the call from Caroline not to bother going as the track was closed. I didn’t have to seem chicken and could pretend it was all the fault of the weather. And there was always next year (the track closes this weekend).
My relief was short lived, however, as Caroline managed to wangle us some time slots on the Saturday, last day of the season. We had to be there at 12.00 so that we could get ready to slide at 13.00.
Traffic to Innsbruck was horrendous - it seems everyone was going the same way and we arrived at 12.45 only to get lost trying to find the track. Eventually we arrived late. That took care of the walk up next to the track, instructions and other such niceties. Time was compressed and we were forced to absorb instructions whilst squeezing into body armour several sizes too small. In any case the instructions did not amount to much - “Hold tight and keep your shoulders and elbows in”.
Time for the first run. Not being practised at this I start from a stationery prone position - lying on the sled. The experts run and jump on, I just let gravity do its thing.
Terror begins about 2 seconds after the sled starts to move and realisation sets in. I cannot stop. I cannot slow down. I cannot turn. Tuck in the shoulders and grit the teeth.
Turn 1, turn 2 - speeding up. Still some element of fun, combined with trepidation about the next 30 seconds.
It starts to get violent. Contrary to popular belief the ice in the track is not a smooth, oiled glass affair. It’s hard, slippery and very rough. It’s had a season of bobsleds each scoring its own tracks - the end result being a very bumpy ride. Faster and faster I go, eyes watering and battling to keep my head up.
I reach the 270 degree turn in the middle of the course. Thank God I am half way. And yes! I’m slowing down. Illusion… The G forces try to force me to kiss the ice (it’s ony a few inches from my nose). The sled seems to slow but then it shoots out the turn like a stone from a slingshot. More of this! Please let it end!
It turns to the right and then to the left and your speed is out of control! The hands are tired and bruised from being battered against the ice walls. Just when I cant hold on any more I’m into the tight left hander at the bottom of the hill. High on the bank I wizz round and then its down with a thump against the left hand ice wall before the corkscrew bends on the bottom flat. At last I see snow on the track and the sled climbs about 100 meters before coming to a halt. I lie there wondering if my body will still work. Adrenaline makes me shake and feel decidedly light headed. The bobsleigh helper at the course bottom comes over and helps me carry the sled (they weigh about 35Kg) to the end of the track and out of the way of the next guy.
As the truck climbs the hill again it all seems worthwhile. Sure - it was scary. Sure I am a bit sore. But hey! It was fun.
“Do you want to ride again?” YES! This time I will know what to expect and it will all be easier and more fun. Caroline finds me a “better” sled - the other one was apparently not so good. Off again down the track. What can I say? The second time was more violent, more scary, and drew blood (my hand scraped the ice wall). Did I go a 3rd time? No. Will I go again next year if I get the chance? YES!
For what its worth I got the chance to go as a passenger in a 4 man bogsleigh afterwards and it was a doddle after the skeleton - much like a rollercoaster. It was great to get a chance to see the track too!
Some pictures (these are not of me!)….
How to get it wrong (or bruises - where they come from)
Speed …
Someone else’s perspective
Cheers!
Arthur
The Local Season of Silliness
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February is a time of great silliness (and a lot of fun) in Liechtenstein and indeed in most of this region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland as well). People dress in silly clothes, drink lots of alchohol (not that that’s all that silly!) and join silly bands. The latter are called “Gugga Musiek” bands and basically operate under the principal that you need not know how to play your instrument as long as you play it loud and with plenty of rythme.
Please see more Fasching pictures here! |
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Family shots
And now for a few more family shots.
 Oliver holds Tamara |
 The tribe |
 Lazy me and Anton |
 Anton and Oliver (Oliver is a little camera shy still). |
 Tamara soon after she was born… |
 … and last week. She’s growing (not altogether surprising!). |
Cheers!
Arthur
A wonderful daughter!
My third (and probably final) child is a wonderful daughter born yesterday. Tamara Lauren weighed in at 3.7 Kg and was 49cm long and healthy (although they do tend to start life a rather alarming shade of purple!). Mother is also well. Not much time to write at the moment, so here are some pictures. She joins her 2 brothers Anton and Oliver. (also featured in this column…).
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Cheers!
Arthur
Liechtestein’s Furstensteig Mountain Walk
I was fortunate on the weeked to find time to walk in the glorious moutains of Liechtenstein. Having taken the little video camera with I captured some shots so that you can share the experience.
 Larger picture My friend GJ who showed me the way GJ again |
The Furstensteig walk begins at Gaflei - a small village at about 1600m which has a dilapidated 60’s era hotel recently been taken over by a philosophy society. From there the path leads steeply upwards to the craggy cliffs. |
| The path winds around the face of the cliffs often only 1 foot wide with a cable to hang onto. Moutain goats and dogs seem to enjoy it - for humans it may seem a little scary! At places the original path has disappeared due to the erosion of the relatively soft rock. |  Larger picture Another view |
| The mountains are stunning from up here. The two views below show the front and back of the Furstensteig - quite different - its a bit like a wave - quite steep and rocky in front and more gentle and green over the back. | |
 Larger picture The pinnacle The view to the north |
 Larger picture The Steg valley |
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable day and well recommended if you are in this part of the world.
Cheers!
Arthur
Olivia meets New York
On Monday night late USA time my brother and his wife gave birth to their first child - a baby girl called Olivia Pamela. This is a brief column with a few piccies.
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The proud parents. Louis and Natalie Brink wondering what the next couple of years will bring. Lets help them out shall we?
We begin with crying. Usually a lot. Usually when you are trying to sleep. Dont despair. It only lasts about 1 year. TIP: Usually they cry because they want something (for example for you to be awake). Follow this with the delightful age Oliver is at now where they are starting to become intelligible and have figured out that they really should get their own way. So tantrums follow the “no you cant have another box of chocolates!”. When they reach abtou 30 they can provide for you (perhaps). Good Luck! |
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She’s a big un! And really healthy looking too. No, Louis, I dont think she should be called conehead. Looks quite well dimensioned to me! She weighed in at a respectable 8 pounds 12 ounces, and 20 inches long.
So now we have 5 girls in this generation of our family. My sisters have 4 between them and this is the fifth. Well balanced (sorta) by my two boys. |
Cheers!
Arthur
