Derivative financial instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	$ 282,847
Fair value of interest rate swaps	4,539
Increase in debt due to fair value adjustment	3,568
Deferred pre-tax losses on cash flow hedges to be recognized in interest expense during the next 12 months	1,757
Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2012 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	84,847	210,000
Fair value of interest rate swaps	1,309	5,456
Increase in debt due to fair value adjustment	780	4,879
Amount of bonds retired	195,463
Term of bonds (in years)	10Y
Cash received on interest rate swaps	2,548
Fair value adjustment to hedged debt recognized in earnings at hedge termination	3,094
Accumulated fair value adjustment to hedged debt deferred at hedge termination	1,355
Fair value hedge related to long-term debt due in 2014 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	198,000
Fair value of interest rate swaps	3,230
Increase in debt due to fair value adjustment	2,788
Cash flow hedge, interest rate swaps 2004 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	225,000
Deferred pre-tax loss	17,877
Cash flow hedge, interest rate swaps 2002 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Deferred pre-tax loss	$ 4,026

Cash received on interest rate swap settlement

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount as of the date hedge accounting was discontinued of the unamortized adjustment to the carrying value of an interest-bearing hedged item made under an effective fair value hedge that is amortized upon discontinuation of the fair value hedge.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Cumulative amount of the fair value adjustments to a hedged item as of the balance sheet date related to the derivative. For example, the cumulative fair value adjustment to hedged debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of the adjustment to the carrying value of an interest-bearing hedged item made under an effective fair value hedge recognized in earnings as of the date hedge accounting was discontinued.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The term of the bonds, in years from inception to maturity, when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Monetary amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 12

+ Details

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- Definition

Fair value of derivative asset, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (a),(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44C

-Subparagraph a

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 205G

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The estimated net amount of unrealized gains or losses on interest rate cash flow hedges as of the balance sheet date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(2)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6887037&loc=d3e80748-113994

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of unrealized gain (loss) related to the increase or decrease in fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments, which was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income to the extent that the cash flow hedge was determined to be effective.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 46

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624171-113959

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