Back to Zurich

Shitty stressful journey back to Zurich, with Frith convinced we were going to miss the flight, we took more wrong turns around the suburbs of Rome than we'd eaten gelatos — but we just scraped it.

Walking up to the "Path of the Gods"

We wanted to walk up to the famous "Path of the Gods", which was possible on foot directly from our hotel, although we weren't sure how the kids would manage. We were gobsmacked! The path up alone we were told, had 1,000 steps, and it was hot! We took our time with plenty of stops to take in the surroundings, and in between the kids motored up the stairs like little rockets! I was very impressed! At the top was an old convent, and although we couldn't walk along the Path of the Gods (too dangerous), it was a great achievement getting there with sublime views all the way down to Capri.

Bobbing about on the water

The best way to explore a coast like the Amalfi is either on foot, or from the water (roads are horrendously narrow), so we hired a boat for the day and headed up the coast from the harbour of Amalfi towards the end of the peninsular. Across from the peninsular tip is the isle of Capri, and the views all day were totally stunning. The sea was calm, but the boat was quite small and bobbed around a lot, and the kids sea-legs are not yet that developed, so the first hour started off with "stop", "too fast", "I wanna get off" and requests to be strapped on (which they were). But they ended up laughing hysterically as we bounced over the waves of passing boats, some of them super-sized big boys toys. We stopped for lunch at one of the official moorings (a family affair), and of course had more pizza, beer and gelato! We decided against the final trip across to Capri (although it's possible), and ambled back down the peninsular stopping to swim off the boat. Walked into Praiano for dinner out in the evening, and kids overdosed on more pizza!

A change of pace (begins at 40)

Took it easy on Frith's birthday and just explored the local town, Praiano, whcih was made up of houses crawling up the cliffs—some even dramatically tucked in the cliffs—tiny alleys, delicious smells, beautiful flowers, lemon groves, fig trees, and SUN! As the Amalfi coast is a UNESCO site, further building isn't allowed, so the villages were still very pretty, and the sea was gorgeous! Took a swim in Marina de Praia in the morning, although a bit too cool for Ili, we all had a great dip. Lunched in a beach bar, wandered through more alleys, followed darting lizards, and generally had a change of pace. Then back to the hotel for a dip in their pool, and dinner on the roof terrace restaurant. The grandmother (and original hotelier) was looking after the children from the hotel (5, and 7 yr), and Bea and Ili got along with them swimmingly. So, with a lovely "babysitter", Frith and I ended up having dinner, and waist expanding cake compliments of the hotel, alone.

Flight to Rome

Off to Rome for Frith's 40th! As soon as Kindergarten was out we took off to the airport (both feeling we had way too much work on to be disappearing, but what the hell!). Had to drive south of Naples so didn't arrive until late at night and opened a bottle of bubbles on the balcony overlooking the bay. Bea was wide-eyed, and although we didn't think we were too rowdy, we had a call from our neighbours room in the small hours with an order to be "silent" — and we thought we'd left that attitude in Switzerland! Hotel was great, and views superb.

Friends off to the US

Spent Saturday evening at friends having a BBQ, to say farewell as they are leaving in a week's time for a new job, and we looked after their two children on Sunday so they could pack. Bea has known Sophie since his nursery days. Sunday weather turned grim again, after a week of heat!

Garden visit

Met with Emily and her mama at the garden this morning with the idea that the girls could play and we could do some proper (uninterrupted) digging.

Operation Treehouse

Bea's school was closed for teacher training today, and Chris's boss's youngest son, Alligan, joined us at the swimming pool in an attempt to keep him away from his garden and his birthday surprise — a treehouse! Papa was recruited to help build it and provide the practical expertise, and said it would be a good practice run for France. A solid platform was built when we came back to the garden, and the children played happily up the tree in the shade.

Art school

For the last few weeks, the theme at Kindergarten has been "Kunst" (Art). They've been looking at Paul Klee, Claude Monet — and today were crafting water lilies. They have also painted a model they made of the house by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser (the original house in Vienna seen here) and last week they did paintings of circles in the mode (loosely!) of Kandinsky. This morning, another task was to draw a partner by staring into their eyes but not looking at the picture which was quite a challenge looking at the results. This afternoon as it was such a steaming hot day, they were all asked to return with their swimming gear, and played out in the playground with water for this afternoons session. Needless to say, after football (after Kindergarten) and Zveri at a friends, then tennis in the Hof (the children are getting quite good), Bea was thoroughly exhausted!

Sunday swim

Frith is overloaded with work so he spent Sunday in the office. We headed to the swimming pool to cool off, but it was so busy it was like being in a penguin colony (although I think penguins can find their offspring easier). As usual, it didn't bother Bea and Ili who were in and out of the water all day. Bea bumped into a few kindergarten friends, and we were joined by our neighbours. Papa would have never survived the crowd, so wasn't sad to have missed it.

Afternoon games in the woods

Met with friends to go to the woods this afternoon, and it was really peaceful and very beautiful. A facility we don't use enough of at the moment. Ili played with Miya and Bea with Nico, and they had a great time (badminton, handball, frisby, tree climbing, tadpole collecting which luckily got left behind this year), while parents got the fire going, and supped a few . . .

Garden is a disaster

Our garden is a disaster this year with only a handful of visits made (too cold, too wet, or too busy), and absolutely nothing planted! Apparently we are going to receive a letter to tell us to bring it in order. Whoops. Ili and I went this morning, and I was cutting down weeks taller than her, but we've still time to grow a few veg to be ready for our return from summer holidays. Didn't take any pics, but here's Ili on the way home at the nearby kiddie animal park.

Summer has finally arrived!

After what seems likes weeks of rain, summer is here, and it's hot! Here's Ili in the Hof this morning (after our Swiss-German singing group). And after piano — which is still going well, and Bea is on his second book — he joined his friend Theodore at their allotment/garden for a hose pipe fight!

Drenched at dance

We all arrived totally drenched in warm rain to the dance session today. The kiddies were running barefoot up and down the road licking the sky! Bea then joined in Ili's group, along with another friend in his underpants.

New school class

Have gotten a bit out of the swing of things with the blog writing, but a fair bit has happened. On Saturday we received the post from the City to say which school class Bea will be in next year. It's relevant to the children as they are split up into between two different teachers in first grade and they keep the teacher for the next three years. Bea will have Frau Meyer who is supposed to be very good, but due her first baby in October (and we are as yet to find out what will happen). Bea seemed happy enough with his classmates.

Friday flower market

Met up with Sarah and Olivia at the market this morning to enjoy the summer that seems to have finally arrived — and spent the afternoon (and our first visit this year) at Bad Allenmoos with Ryan and Hil who are due to move to the US (so it carried on to a bit of late night drinking at their place).

Gnome's garden

Payed a visit to the Ghazoul children this afternoon, and the kids rigged up a hose running down the slide to make a super fast water slide, then met up with Theodore at his garden allotment.

Theodore and Sunday Brunch

We were due to go to the mountains this weekend with the parents of one of Bea's friends — Theodore — and stay overnight, but it was cancelled due to the weather. We got together for Sunday brunch instead and Theodore stayed with us for the rest of the day. Bea loves playing with him, and hopefully they'll see each other more often.

Wet weekend market, and more wet festival

The annual local market in our district (Oberstrasse) was a washout too! Luckily there were a few inside events, albeit oversubscribed, and Papa took Ili and Bea out to the market for a bounce in Bea's school gym. Not perturbed by the rain, we went back for more of the weekend music festival this evening where Bea bumped into a friend, so they stood mesmorised watching the bands. Rain or no rain, we don't get to see enough live music, so it was very much enjoyed.