Art house

The Zürich Kunsthaus (Museum of Modern Art) opens its doors for free on a Wednesday afternoon so we took a brief look around. Bea was interested in how some of the metal sculptures were made, and a couple of the paintings grabbed his attention, but generally he couldn't wait to get out, nor understood why we weren't allowed to buy the paintings and take them home. He collapsed by the time we got to the Van Goghs —although thought it funny he had cut his own ear off—so we made a sharp exit and headed to the lake (see post below).  

Spring has sprung

It was a totally beautiful day so after our trip to the Kunzthaus, we plonked ourselves down on the jetties by the lake and watched the birds and sailing boats come and go. After lapping up all the sun we could, we hooked up with Bea's friend Viktor for a ramble on the climbing wall.

Brazilian Pantanal

They have been building the new Brazilian Pantanal area at the Zürich zoo for a couple of years now. No caimans, tapirs or giant anteaters yet — in fact it is still empty — but Bea has observed the excavation works and will hopefully see it flourish with life next month when it opens. It reminds Mama of her fab trip to the Pantanals.

Part of the new Pantanal area.

Watching clownfish, anacondas, chasing peacocks
and swinging on the commando rope at Zürich zoo.

Picnic in the Park

After first day back at Kindergarten and Spielgruppe, we spent a lazy, sunny afternoon in the park. Bea showed off his swinging to Antonia, and we went on a bug hunt—although no bugs to be found—and enjoyed a picnic.

Active Sunday

Papa took Bea and Ili to the Hönggerberg Campus of ETH for their regular 'Active Sunday'. They met up with friends and all the little ones were let loose on the ropes, climbing equipment and springboards.

Two kids back in Zürich

Back to Swiss efficiency. The driver-less train hurtling from Zürich airport terminal to Arrivals certainly beats the long walk at Luton. Bea and Ili squeezed in to take front seats. 

Snow in Suffolk

Two kids leave Zürich

A whale of a time

The Polar region theme at Kindergarten has gone down well with Bea, and we've explored all sorts of facts about the life there (a beluga whale is as long as our kitchen; Bea is 10 cm bigger than a king, but 10 cm shorter than an emperor penguin; we know what a polar bear likes to eat, and who the Inuits are). So, with a new friend—Victor, from the U.S. who has just started in the same class— we all went to marvel at the stuffed sea life in the Zürich Zoological Museum.

Bea and Victor with the beluga whale.

Bea with his own stuffed penguin; Bea and Victor on the map of the world.

Snow in the 'Hof'

Bea had a session playing with friends out in the 'Hof' (courtyard), until it got way too boisterous for him and snow was getting slapped into faces and shovelled down coats. Poor Bea came home sobbing.

A pirate for Fasnacht

We've witnessed many Swiss/German customs that we really understand very little about, but perhaps none more perplexing than Fasnacht. Some say its symbolic of the chasing away of bad winter spirits, while others that it is a celebration before Lent. Either way, it has become part of the children's timetable and a good excuse for a day of dressing up. Bea chased away winter dressed as a pirate in Kindergarten, and loved it so much he stayed a pirate all day. Four of his friends dressed up as clowns—laughing winter off perhaps—joined by ladybirds, princesses, cats and vampires.

Bea (in the middle) at Kindergarten.

Sledging on Uetliberg

We took the train up Uetliberg today for the first proper sledging this year. It's a two kilometer sledge run from the top back down towards Zürich where you jump on the train heading up again, and repeat for as long as you can stay warm. The first kilometer down was great fun, and both Bea and Ili enjoyed the speed. But lower down the thinner snow was much slower, and Ili got cold very quickly and wanted out (not surprising as in this exceptionally cold spell it was minus 10 degrees). Bea could have happily sledged a few more times, but we headed home.

Bea and Ili near the top of the Uetliberg sledge run.

Out of hibernation

Like two little polar bears after a long spell hibernating, Bea and Ili poked their heads out for the first time since chicken pox hit earlier this week. They played with fresh snow on the roof, but with today's temperature at minus 8, couldn't stay long before heading back down to their den. All spots are clearing up nicely ;-)

Bea has some company

Chicken Pox - day two