Clouds - The Prime Tower

The highest building in Zurich is currently The Prime Tower. To put it in perspective, it's only 133 meters high, while the Eiffel Tower is closer to 300 meters. But to the kids in Switzerland it's most definitely a sky scraper. At the very top on the 35th floor is a pretty cool bistro (called "Clouds") with expansive views across the city and out towards the lake, so we stopped for a snack and to take in the panorama.

Technorama

Had our first trip to the Swiss Science Center for kids today, called Technorama. It's three floors full of interactive exhibits covering mechanics, magnetism, chemistry, light, the natural world, etc. and although it was all pretty interesting stuff, it was unfortunately a case of too much to take in with too many kids running a riot and we left with our heads spinning. A few of our favourite exhibits are below, including a very pretty installation of dry ice entering water (representing comets entering the earth's atmosphere as they burn up carbon dioxide and produces energy); a replica tornado, and a giant Newton's Cradle (metal swinging ball bearings).

Thermal baths

Treated ourselves today to a few hours in the Zurich thermal baths today. Yum. The best day of the week by far.

Ice skating

Second week of the sports holiday (Frith is at a conference in Germany), and our first activity was ice skating at Dolder.

Sledging at Urnerboden

We took a trip to Urnerboden (near to where we were staying) so the kids, and big kids, could all sledge down our favourite 8 km sledge run. However, the weather today was full-on deep snow and we perhaps shouldn't have taken it on at all. It was perhaps a bit of a tell-tell sign that we were the only ones there!! Whoops. Anyhow, the top was almost white out, and coming down the snow was a bit to thick to be able to slide very fast. But it was super pretty, and we stopped to build a giant snowman and mess in the snow. All good experience! Headed back to Zurich in the evening.

Nothing to be seen from the top! Just us!!

Ready to get the hell out of here!!! Let's go . . !

Stopped for a wade in snow.

Finally at the bottom . . .

. . . for hot chocolate! These guys are tough!

Thick snow arrived, yippee!!

After a day skiing we were looking to rest our legs (and wallets) and go sledging instead. Luckily we awoke to thick snow — just what we'd ordered! Kids were happy just playing in the garden for a bit, before we dragged them higher up for a spot of sledging.

Mountain boys

This one was taken by a passing skier, hence Bea is not quite photo-ready! But thanks to Benj for managing to get a good shot of the three boys together at the top. I think it's up at Schabell (2036 m).

Awesome day skiing

Awesome day today!! Benj, Frith and Bea had a ball skiing and snowboarding together from the very top — Bea vastly improved he skills and he loved it!! He was also able to help us guys on the beginner slopes so he felt very proud of that and was an angel ski instructor to us (better than the one we had!!). So, while the boys were off up high, Katie, Freya, Finn, Angus, Ili and I, had a lesson and lots of fun trying to keep vertical for the first few minutes — all the kids did amazingly well by the end of the day, and Freya was a superstar with her turning! Ili managed to master going slow better than anyone and was very cautious going downhill when she eventually tried a run with Papa on the more challenging beginner slopes — wish I could have her control!! Not many pictures, as I was too busy trying to stand up!!

Ili on the baby slopes.

Ili and Freya by the magic carpet ride.

Lunch!!

Ili trying the harder beginner slope.

Ili found an alternative use for her skiing googles
while peeling onions!

Got the fire pit burning outside the house.

Escalator cousins arrived

The Wales crew arrived today, and Bea has named Finn and Angus his "escalator" cousins — he preferred this to "step" cousins. Tucked into a fondue for energy before tomorrow's skiing lesson!

First day all four of us on skiis!

Got our ski gear sorted today, and although the weather wasn't great we managed to get both myself and Ili on skis to have a practice in the kiddie area at the family-friendly resort of Elm, while Bea and Papa went off to do some proper slopes! But. . .   for a few minutes we were all on skis together!! Sampled a new sledging resort nearby too.

Bea in his "Après Ski" outfit!!

Skiing holidays

The skiing holidays arrived — yippeee — and we headed to the Glarus valley area for a few days of snow, skiing and sledging. Found a charming little cottage with a fire pit and lots of space for the kids to play outside. All worked out really well, and just enough space for when Benj, Katie, Freya and Finn and Angus who Bea has named his "escalator cousins" (he decided this was favourable to step-cousins) when they arrived to join us for a few days.

Bea on skis - aged 5

Until we get to the mountains next week, I've dug up a few videos of Bea's first time on skis when he was five! Super cute. First one here and another here!

Big cats and little cats

Frith sent this pic for the kids taken with Bea's camera trap (Bea's Xmas present). He was hoping for a jaguar but snapped this instead — a little dwarf leopard (ocelot). I was talking with the kids about getting a pet cat — a pet would be lovely! — to which Bea replied: "would we rent one, or buy one?" We use Europcar (car hire) frequently, but don't think there's a Europcat!

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve

Blo*dy H*ll$!!! Some pics from the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve, which is a UNESCO site (more here).