Up the lake with a paddle.

Too hot for the garden today, so headed down to the lake early for another day out on water.

Papa and Bea's paddle boards ready to go!

Kids were watching dragonflies shed their skin.
They were fascinated.

Watching the dragonflies.

Taking a dip at Wollishofen.

The little boat leaving the harbour is ours — with Bea!

Pump. Paddle. Pizza. (aka Friday night)

It was a nice warm evening, so we had a Friday night paddle and dinner out by the harbour at Mönchof near Kilchberg with the SUP. Here it is being prepared.

Pump it up!

And finally, on the water!

Feeding the ducks.

Friday afternoon dip

We had four-wheeeeels today (hired a car to pick-up some garden furniture). So Frith and I managed to grab a swim alone further down the lake at lunchtime. 

Sunday trip down the lake to Kilchberg

It's great how differently you see the area from the water. We wanted to try and explore further up the lake on Sunday — Ili and I in the kayak, and Bea and Papa sharing the SUP — and found some different swimming spots and harbours and had lunch in a sweet little restaurant by the harbour in Kilchberg, only an hours paddle away from the city.

Hot weekend on the lake — with new Stand Up Paddleboard

It was steaming hot this weekend (some amazing electrical storms at night), so it was best to be near water to keep cool. As we can't all fit in the kayak now, we rented a couple of SUPs (stand-up paddleboards) for the boys and they liked them so much we decided to buy one (an inflatable one that fits in a rucksack) as they can be used on rivers and the sea too, and I'm sure we'll get very good use from it! Some pics from the weekend again on the water. . . .

Bea trying the SUP

Bea and Papa on the Stand up Paddleboards

Bea getting his balance.

Friday night paddle

Bea discovered just how sensitive some of his parts are with the jump from the 5m board! Ouuwwchh. And after our time at the Lido, Bea and Papa paddled back right into the city.

Kayaking on Lake Zurich

It was a teacher training day at school (so school free!), and being what must have been the hottest day of the year so far, we headed to the lake with some friends early this morning. While the morning was beautiful, the afternoon was heaving with crowds!! For the first time this year we took our inflatable kayak on the lake and paddled around with the kids — and Chris joined us straight back from Davos. Bea was able to go out with his mates on the kayak alone, and I took Ili and friend out chasing ducklings. Bea was also jumping off the high (5m) diving board into the lake. I didn't see, thankfully!

Can just about see the little ducklings!

Bea and kayak are just to the right
of the yellow buoy (close to the center).

Was peaceful early in the morning.

Swimming

Swimming season is here, so after school was out we headed to the pool. This is a bit of a cheat blog post as I didn't take any pics today, but these ones were taken a couple of weeks ago, when the water was cooler and hence a lot less people! But it's the same place, and the kids did the same thing — Bea spend hours going up and down the water slide, and Ili had a friend with her, so she was happy just splashing around. Next time I'll remember to take some pictures!!

Garden weekend, jumping and elderflower picking

Lots of jobs to do in the garden, so we hung out up there all weekend and the children are still taking care of their salamanders. The "garden club" put up a inflatable outside the cafe for the kids during the warmer weekends and Bea and Ili take themselves up there for a bounce! Perfect weekend for elderflower picking, and have our cordial underway already!

Orange tummy!

My newt's minute!

The inflatable outside the garden cafe.

Elderflower picking on the way home. 

Pond dipping

Finished edging our little pond at the garden and added a few plants this week. We've baby salamanders and tadpoles swimming around which the kids both love and are happy pond dipping. Pity salamanders don't appreciate being stroked!

Finally popped a few water plants in.

Heading back to Zürich

We've passed through Montpellier train station quite a few times now, and always grab some fresh air in the wee park by the station. The kids are always fascinated by this weird fountain . . . I wish I wasn't alone in my love for slow train journeys, the kids would rather fly if it was an option!

South of France (2nd trip), 14–18 May

Had two trips down South France in May, as sooooo many holidays in May, and Mum and Dad camping there until June. Here's a few pics of the last long weekend trip when we joined them.

Ili loved the waves, and although water still cool, we swam.

Bea posing by his sand creation. Can't see them
but he made little sand lizards.

Hours and hours of digging. . .

Nearly missed a connection, and ended up
on one leg of the journey without a seat in the luggage!
Was the kids favourite bit!

Bea prettying himself in the camper!