Late last year one of my Adventure Guiding students asked to speak to me in my office.  I wasn’t sure if he was going to seek future employment advice, to ask for an extension on his assignment or to check up on his recent results?  I was pleasantly surprised when he mentioned his Mother was supervising a PhD student recently arrived Denmark, who had come to Tasmania for 6 months with her husband and 3-year-old daughter.  George asked if I wouldn’t mind contacting them as they didn’t know anyone in Tasmania who had children.

I met Vibeke, Brian and Julie at the Nutgrove Playground on a windy Sunday afternoon in January.  These Scandinavians were easy to spot in the playground – blonde, beautiful and fit.  We chatted about Tasmania and my love of Danish design and crime dramas (Borgen, The Killing, The Bridge and The Legacy) as Poppy and Julie played, despite their language differences.

Since then, we had caught up on several occasions over dinners at home; celebrated Vibeke’s birthday and enjoyed a day out on the water.

Last Thursday they returned home to Denmark and I was really sad to say goodbye to these new-found friends who were an absolute pleasure to be around.  We will miss Brian’s funny faces, Julie’s sweet nature and Vibeke’s contagious smile, but know deep down that we will meet again. ✈️ xx