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.........

Ilona talking

No idea what she is saying, but I'm sure it is very important

Lego and Trains

Wroughton duckpond, complete with floating slices of bread (and no ducks).

Breakfast time with three kids. Great entertainment for Ilona.

Not only is Swindon near stone circles, but it also has a train museum. Which last Saturday hosted a lego exhibition. What better way to pass the time with three small children?

The biggest hit was this layout, where an accurate model of some station in the UK I have forgotten the name of was coupled to some very accurate intercity 125 and other locomotives. Caroline and Bluet would've watched for hours, but there were plenty of other lego things to see, and trains too.

Being a train museum, there were several lego railways, so we spent a while watching this one too.

And given Bluet's interest in flying and airports, we stopped here a while too

 

After the lego, we had a quick look at the real trains; most enjoyable for the kids are the ones you can climb on. Here, Bluet is taking a break from driving.

A Stone circle

Hello, I hope you are still there. Sorry, we've been in the UK for the last week, hence no blogs. Anyway, we set off last Wednesday from Zurich airport - Ilona loved the shiny floors and luggage trolleys, whilst Bluet was very entertained by the moving walkways. In fact, Bluet is very excited in general by flying, which is great, and even carries her own luggage. We flew Swiss air, which was nice as they gave us free Ice Cream and chocolate, and a stuffed aeroplane that has become one of Bluet's favourite companions (see trampoline picture below)

Our first stop was to see Steve, Dorthea and Caroline in Swindon Wroughton (near Swindon). Because there are no transport links from the East to the West of the UK that don't involve going through London, I have spent very little time on the West coast. Turns out it is quite interesting over there - they even have historical things like Stonehenge, and in Avebury (a short bus ride (at the front of the top deck)) from Wroughton, there is a stone circle that is almost 5000 years old. Here are some pictures of stones and excitable children. Fortunately those architects and engineers from 2600 B.C. knew how to design something fun for children to run around, whilst remaining fascinating for adults.

I can't see Bluet anywhere

Stay tuned for more pictures from the UK..........