5 great days at the beach

So we've just come back from another mini break - a long weekend in Kilifi. We stayed in the Kilifi bay hotel which is next door but 2 to the house where we are having our wedding in May.
One of the reasons we went was to organise catering for our wedding by the hotel - but after just a couple of meals there we realised we didnt want them to do our catering! The food really wasnt great. And the hotel in general is a bit old has a few problems. So we decided not to use them afterall. We have a friend here in Nairobi who will probably do it now - he seems great so far and his food is really yummy.
We also went to check out our wedding venue again - its SUCH a beautiful house. I fell in love with it all over again. I'm getting really excited for our wedding week at the beach! Man its going to be fun.
Benedikt took his kite surfer and all the equipment but unfortunately there was never enough wind. Such a pity.
So we really just chilled for the rest of the time and thoroughly enjoyed spending so much time with Nicolas. Man he is a cute baby. And so happy and easy.
Well, actually he did get a bit cranky in the heat, but then we'd just take him to the air conditioned room where he'd perk up as he tried to climb up all the furniture.
But it really was special it being just us 3... we had a lovely family holiday.

Its a miracle!

Ha ha, our nanny says its a miracle that Nicolas is now pulling himself to standing. And of course we agree.
He is really getting strong legs now its cool to see him moving around vertically! While holding onto something of course.

Blowing raspberries:

Bath time:


So this winning thing is getting boring now. I won a triathlon last Sunday! Ok, yes it was a mini tri... and there were only a few ladies... but still!
I have become a useless swimmer in my adult life (I dont know what happened - I used to be an ok swimmer?) and I swam like a granny. I had to take a break at the end of each length! And it was just a 200m swim for goodness sake. The cycle was 10km and the run was 4km. I did it all in 52mins I think... Benedikt did it in 47mins and won the mens section! He was well chuffed. Our good friend Mike was his main competitor and is a seriously good swimmer, so Benedikt raced like a mad man on the bike and in the run. He was sore all week this week!
So ja, I am now going to swim more often. Like this weekend for example when we go to the beach - woohoo! Can't wait to have these 5 days off. I have really been working hard lately. Really long hours to get a big job on one particular site done... and I have 4 or 5 more new sites to get done before our wedding in May - yikes!

One of Nicolas's first attempts (now he is a dab hand):

Kakuzi

So I won another mtb race! Woohoo! I'm getting rich :-)
(Pity there aren't any more races until August or something)
Kakuzi was a very very cool 50km route with everything in it - technical in places and very steep climbs, fast flowing single track and river crossings. Was loads of fun and I rode with 2 great guys most of the time... until they dropped me 2kms before the finish!

Quinoa

So Quinoa (pronounced Keenwa) is my new favorite food. Can't believe I've only discovered it now dammit, its amazing. It contains all 9 essential amino acids, plus iron and calcium, B vitamins, vitamin E, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, and zinc! AND its gluten free. And its full of fiber.
Its obviously cholestrol free and its low in calories. It also contains phytonutrients which help fight cancer etc.
And it tastes good. Similar to cous cous in texture etc but it has a way more nutty flavour.
Do you get a more perfect food? NO!
Well actually soya beans are possibly as perfect :-)
And the best is a health shop here (which is a mission to get to) sells quinoa - woohoo! It costs 500 kenyan shillings (R50) for 500grams so its not cheap but its not crazy expensive that we can't get it. So I am very happy! We're going to be eating it for breakfast, lunch and supper :-)
I've even started feeding it to Nic. Its digested very easily as it is a complex carbohydrate, and he is ready for protein now that he is 7 months old.

Other news is that wedding planning is now going full steam. We have chosen our wedding rings, my frock is in for alterations, we are about to go to Kilifi to suss out the venue and the catering etc. And to try and find a DJ and a mazungu hairdresser in the little dorp. We've been booking everyones flights to the beach and organising accommodation here in Nairobi. Its all very exciting - I can't wait for our wedding week! Gonna be such fun being on holiday with EVERYONE.

Just a pity work is getting the way a little :-) I'm swamped at the moment with sites to do. Am booked up till the wedding! Its good of course, but is stressing me out a bit too. Its hard balancing Nicolas, my sport, work, general admin and wedding plans!