River swim

Joined up with friends for a river swim this afternoon to cool off, and just the bigger children swam with moms. Was fun, but forgot to take pics!

Lazy Sunday

Maybe our last lake swim before the hols, and spent it at a nice spot in the gardens of a Schloss (castle) by the lake at Halbinsel Au. Found a lovely waterlily pond too! Poor Ili had a fall at the garden yesterday, so a nasty scratch on her nose :-(

Going with the flow

We all started the weekend with a river swim in the Limmat (city river) this morning, and Ili had her first session floating downstream. She was very brave, and it was very cool to do this all together. Difficult to describe the vibe of the river swim — or "urban beaches" as they're called — but it's clean, full of young hipsters (bugger, that makes me feel old), as well as very cool, more mature swimmers (plenty over their 70s swimming upstream for fitness) . .  but hey, which other city can you swim in the river and its as clean and fun?

Lunch out

Last day of school!!!!!!!!!! Took the kiddies for lunch out. Looks like they only had a meager crust of bread, but I promise, they had some water to go with it!

Pretty as a picture

Just because they're beautiful!! xx

Favourite swim spot

The children had a day off school today, so we went for a dip in our favourite swimming spot of the moment down the lake. Papa had to work so couldn't join us this time.

Maybe hard to see, but a young heron
is in the tree.

Spot the heron!

Waiting for Ili while she was catching grasshoppers!

Sunday trip over to Ufenau Island

On Sunday we probably bit off more that we could manage in the temperatures, and paddled over on the kayak and paddle board to Ufenau Island which is at the far end of Lake Zurich, which essentially took us 3 hours to get there (with stops) and 2 hours to get back to shore. There's nothing but a church, vineyard and a small restaurant there — amazing what one will do for a cold beer and an ice cream — but it's a pretty island and was surrounding by anchored pleasure cruisers and sailboats. My body has been on water for some much of the weekend, it still feels like it's bobbing and swaying!

You can just see Ufenau island on the horizon (left).

Cafe/restaurant on the island.

Further down the lake

We explored further down the lake this weekend and found some lovely new kayaking and swimming spots (and some new food spots!). Had a pretty full day on Saturday and were on the water until sunset.

Friday night paddle

Had a quick paddle after school/work to cool off. Hoards of people by the lakeside, so in the attempt to find somewhere quiet, we went to the private boat clubs. We're not members, but no-one seemed to care — or too busy getting sozzled on a Friday night to notice — so we found some tranquility.

Leaving party evening

Almost the end of summer term — one week left — and there was a little leaving due for Ili's teacher this evening. It was pirate-themed with a treasure hunt in the school playground! Only the little ones in the front row (and a few missing from the pic) will be going back for the second Kindergarten year.

Cooling off - swim, swim, swim. . .

Bea made me laugh today when we were by the lake as a rather large man emerged from the water and he quizzed me: "Mama. Why has that man got his balls in a bag, tied up with a piece of string?" That, dear Bea, is a thong! It's all wrong I know, but it's called a thong!! Funny!!! Yes, the only way to stay cool in this mini heatwave is to dip in the water . . . .  and the lake is a beautiful temperature at the moment. I started the day off swimming with a friend, and we all found a nice spot for a family swim later and ended up with a fun river swim fairly late last night. Ili still too young to swim in the river as the current too strong, but Bea is a strong swimmer now and loved swimming with the river current.

My morning swim spot. . .

That's Ili with the armbands on
and me in the water . . .

Can just make out Bea jumping off the jetty!

Slack-line walking over the Limmat river.
We'd like Papa to have a try!!

Bea and I.

OMG!

OMG. What's going on with the weather??? Can't believe this is the Zürich forecast for the week. We might need to stay close to the water. . . 

Summer birthday child

I was in with Kindergarden most of the morning today as it was the seasonal celebration for all children with a summer birthday. Ili is so very shy in Kindergarten and seems to spend most time drawing, but I'm sure she'll be more comfortable next year when her language continues to improve — I remember Bea was also very shy in school and isn't at all now! Then I took a group of kids for lunch in the park. . .  but was very hot. Afternoon was spent at the garden which needs some serious work!!

Sunday on the lake

Joined up with friends for a paddle on the lake together today. Did the same trip we've done a few times now, up the lake to a favourite lunch spot. We're ready for a different route now. . . . 

A little fish the kids caught
(it was floating on the water!)