Bridge to nowhere

The children had a day off school today (for teacher training), and we joined up with some friends for a hike in what we hoped would be bright autumnal sun in the mountains. Instead we ended up in the clouds. Here's the kids going over a very eerily high suspension bridge where we couldn't see the beginning, or the end.

Hiking around Talalpsee, north Glarus

We took a lazy chairlift ride up above the Walensee (the lake next to Zurich Lake), and hiked over to a little glacial lake and BBQ-ing spot on Saturday. It was a very easy walk, nothing too strenuous, and most of the walking we did during the day was downhill which pleased everyone! The area was beautifully picturesque and part of a UNESCO World Hertitage site (Sardona) and very quiet when we were there — we felt like we had to whole little lake to ourselves. So, we had a grill and explored a few little caves in the area before hiking back down to the car.

Taking the chair lift up from Filzbach. 

The tiny glacial lake of Talalpsee.

The fire pit by the lake.

Ready for a grill up!

Ili having a paddle in the cold water of Talalpsee.

Exploring outside the caves.

Museums

A trip to one of the city museums is always a good rainy day activity, although I think we've over-done the zoological museum now! The children, including a friend of Ili's when we were there on Wednesday, reckoned they'd all been here 200 times. I think they were exaggerating but I got the message. On Thursday, Bea had a school trip that he really enjoyed to an old flour mill in the city (Mühlerama) that still functions in all it's past glory. He came home with the bread that he had made, but I forgot to take a picture. He was very proud of his loafs! Farming is his current school theme and they've had two trips to the farm this term.

The Entertainer

It's still work in progress, but progress is being made! Here's a wee video of Bea's latest piano challenge, Scott Joplin's The Entertainer.

Züriberg woods

A great day for an autumn walk today — although everything still strangely very fresh and green — and spent a couple of hours walking up and around the woods.

Wood camp (we didn't make it!)

Stick sharpening!

Tree carving of fox and cub.

Plump pumpkins

Had a fairly lazy weekend and spent Saturday up at the garden. The children are very impressed with their swelling pumpkins! This one is the king of them so far.

Monday - Back home from Italian Lakes

It was a Zürich holiday on Monday — hence the long weekend possible in Italy — and on the way back through the Alps we broke the journey with a stop at Castello di Mesocco. I have never felt such vertigo as I did when walking around the ruined walls (apart from perhaps the ascent up Half Dome in Yosemite). Looks like a tiny part of Machu Picchu, if it wasn't for the motorway nearby!

Waterfalls and old castle walls.

Don't look down!

Rambling on the walls of Castello di Mesocco.

Winding river and winding roads through the valley.
The view down from the castle.

Sunday - Italian Lakes in the rain!

And then came the rain . . . ! We woke up to a soggy tent this morning after a funny night under canvas, before packing up and headed up to the Parc Val Grande to try and find a good hike, but pretty much rained off. We'll have to come back!

Morning after camping, Ili's face says it all!

Parc Val Grande, from the top!

Our little hiker, on our very little hike.

Hotel Cannero getting wet!

The view from our room.
Lago Maggiore even beautiful in the rain.

Saturday - Italian Lakes - Cannero Riviera

A long weekend away spent at one of the prettiest spots on the Italian lakes. We camped for one night at Cannobio and had a lot more luxury on the other at one of our favourite hotels, Hotel Cannero. 

The kids spotted a turtle in the harbour at Cannero.

Outside Hotel Cannero.

Ili outside Hotel Cannero.

View of Lago Maggiore from Hotel Cannero.

Cannobio beach.

Bea and Ili by the campsite beach at Cannobio.

From Cannobio beach.

Heading to Halbinsel

Tuesday after school activities

Bea's school garden patch has blossomed (lovely carrots and peppers Bea, YUM!!) and Ili is getting back into the swing of things with her dance class.

Ili is in the middle!

Science festival, then back to the circus

It was the annual Science Festival this weekend and Frith was helping out. Here's Bea mixing a smoothie with peddle power (the blender is attached to the back wheel). And we went back to see the circus again this afternoon . . . pic of Ili at the Viadukt is by US artist Kelsey Montague.

Birthday parties

Both Bea and Ili had birthday parties to go to today. Bea was at the swimming baths with 14 other boys (one courageous mother!!), and Ili was at a house birthday party of her new friend. Here she is on the way back home, pretty as a picture.

Friday - Circus night

On Friday night we headed down to see a delightful kiddies circus — "Zirkus Chnopf" —who were performing for a few days down in the Viadukt area of the city (industrial regeneration zone - über-trendy).  A late, and great night.