Happy Halloween!

Because of a general interest in witches, we headed out on the tram on Wednesday to purchase a witches hat. Then today Bluet dressed as a witch, whilst Ilona dressed as a zebra, a costume previously worn by other small children

In the shop and on the tram

On the eve

Daytrippers

Everywhere in Switzerland is one hour away from Zurich by train, so on Saturday we took a day trip to Luzern. It seems to be becoming winter, so we dressed up warm.

Luzern is right at the Alps, a holiday destination for rich British tourists in the olden days. From the station the mountains loom imperiously

And the city is small, but exactly what you would expect for a gateway to the Swiss mountains (i.e. picturesque and absolutely packed with tourists)

Unfortunately it was also raining so we had to purchase Bluet an umbrella (she refused to go anywhere in the rain without)

From our guide book we found the Natural History museum

And let the kids run/crawl wild

Then after all that exertion Bluet stopped for some ice cream

Before walking up the side of a mountain to the city walls

Then (and you won't believe this, but it is true) we discovered that Swiss trains have playgrounds on them. This went down very well

Last week

It is getting a little colder, so Bluet has been wearing her winter hat to go to the playground or run errands. Here, Bluet helps do the shopping (amazing how much joy a child gets from a little shopping trolley)

Bluet also did some indoor activities including splatter painting (her own idea, but I think inspired by Charlie and Lola, her latest favourite TV programme)

We also made some cardboard glasses

Meanwhile there are always playgrounds and swings

And trips out dressed as some kind of film star. NB in this case Bluet finally realised it was cold and asked for trousers, which fortunately I had packed

Finally

And so to finish the tale of our trip to the UK, we spent a couple of days with Gran Helen. While we were awaiting news of Bluet and Ilona's new cousin, we did some feeding of ducks

feeding of children (photo courtesy of Gran Helen)

Climbing of stairs (Ilona's favourite game, but not mine). Much to Ilona's joy, she has mastered climbing several different kinds of stair, including ones made of rock and other great things.

Playing together (a little bit)

Discovery of the joy of radio

And going through the Grafton Centre to more exciting places (though little was more exciting to Bluet than standing inside this thing, whatever it is).

Then we returned (over a week ago now) to Zurich, and awoke to a foggy Thursday morning.

Fortunately we haven't done much of interest in the last week so you are almost totally caught up. But just to be sure, here are Bluet and Ilona playing together a little bit more at the Viadukt and at home, as well as enjoying the tram and chalk drawing (which Bluet is fascinated to watch gradually was away every time it rains.

Here Bluet is building a broomstick

And on to Cambridge

Last Sunday, Steve and Caroline kindly drove us to Cambridge to see Gran Helen. On the way we stopped for lunch and Bluet, Caroline and Ilona were delighted to discover there was a playground.

While we were there we took the opportunity to make sure King's College hadn't changed too much since we were last there.

We took a stroll along the Cam, and checked out the myriad houseboats

And finally made it to King's. It was closed because students were back, but because we are alumni, and I had a purple card, we were allowed to waltz right in. Generally this is all private....unless you are with the right people. This is Webb's Court, where I lived in second year.

Future King's College, Cambridge students enjoying the ambience

It hasn't changed a bit.

Then Caroline and Steve headed back home, whilst Ilona, Bluet and me spent a couple of days with Gran Helen.........