The Maynard Family Abroad

An Earthquake

2012-02-12T12:12:00.002+01:00

Shortly before midnight I am sitting straight up in bed. What's happening?! Well, as I find out this morning, we were hit by an earthquake!

Apparently the kids came running out of their room with Erin telling Cian and Pierce that this was it: 'The end of the world, Daddy, please can I wake Mummy and say goodbye?!'

Haha, kids.

Home Sweet Home

2012-02-11T20:20:00.000+01:00

After a very, very late night and about three bottles of wine yesterday, we all slept long long long this morning.
Erin was the last one out of bed at 930 and about 20 minutes later we enjoy our last breakfast.

After clearing the room, checking out and loading up the car, I position myself in a cozy corner in the bar area with the paper, some magazines and my laptop, while Cian and the kids go off for a swim and a long spa-session. There is nobody down there so they have the area to themselves, trying out the various saunas, waterbeds and massage showers.

We all have a bite of lunch at around 2pm and an hour later we hit the road. The journey is uneventful, no traffic on our side of the road. Can't say you could say the same about the traffic going the other way: at 430pm miles long traffic jams between Vorarlberg and Tirol. It is going to be busy on the slopes next week!

We are home after a three and half hour journey. The kids quickly go through the mail as they both are expecting their magazines, and they lie down n the double bed in the playroom. Cian lights the fire, I open a bottle of wine and the pizza that Cian picks up quickly at our local tastes extremely yummie!

Another wonderful ski trip to Lermoos, the best place to go and we are looking forward to next year!

Lermoos, Austria - Day 7 - Another Late Night

2012-02-10T23:59:00.001+01:00

Every year, it is up to the kids to decide if they want to ski the last day with us. Erin already mentioned it at the beginning of the week: Friday morning I want to ski with you, in the afternoon I want to relax. No problem. Pierce is undecided and even at breakfast this morning he isn't sure what to do. In the end, he decides he goes with his group until lunch.

Cian and Erin take off to go through forest and deep snow and take lots of bumpy rides. That is all too tricky for me, instead I stay on the nicely prepared 'motorway' slopes. No bump in sight!

But shortly after 11 I am cold to the bone! It is minus 16 degrees today and with the wind it feels much, much colder!

We've had temperatures ranging from minus 20 to minus 4, so one would think you'd get used to it after a while. You do, but today was particularly cold as the wind was stronger than any other time this week.

But, the sun is trying to come out and after lunch, Cian and I go out for one last time, leaving the kids 'home alone'. The sun shows her face, but only briefly. Clouds come and go and at times visibility is rather poor. Needless to say that after an hour of skiing I call it a day. Or rather, a week.

Another 40 minutes in the sauna and my old bones and muscles are happy again: the heat does wonders and the sauna concepts is so relaxing! I have gone to the sauna quite a lot this week, so note to self: more of the same next year!

It has been absolutely brilliant this week! Despite the cold: the snow remained in top notch condition, there were hardly any people on the slopes: again one of the best ski-holidays. But we say that every year when we come here! We are booked for next year already!

Tonight we soldier on after dinner and enjoy another couple of bottles of red wine with G. & S. and M. and C.

They are all leaving early tomorrow, straight after breakfast. Not us, we'll have a lie-in, a lazy breakfast, a swim and a sauna, lunch and then around 2pm we will set off.

Next post will come from home!

Lermoos, Austria - Day 6 - A Late Night!

2012-02-09T23:59:00.001+01:00

Pierce does not feel well at getting-out-of-bed-time. He has a head cold, but no fever, so decides to stay in bed this morning. It is race day which he is going to miss, but nothing we can do about it. We leave him in our bed, with a paracetamol, fresh orange juice and a bread roll. That should last him until lunch time!

The rest of us set off to meet Erin's class at the middle station. It is 'race day' today so all the kids are handed out bibs.

Franz handing out race numbers - Erin and her ski-friend Milena

Erin came 6th out of 9, leaving the three boys her age behind her! All kids bar one, that ended up faster than her, are 11 and 12 years old. Erin did say later that she now wants to start training on going faster so she can end up top 3 next year!

After dinner tonight we enjoy a few bottle of wine with G. and S. - we meet them in the hotel every year, they sit a few tables down from us in the restaurant. A very fun evening, and by the time we make it back to the room it is passed midnight. Ouch!

Tomorrow Pierce will spend the day with his group, Erin will ski with us! Last day skiing, we are going home on Saturday.

Lermoos, Austria - Day 5 - Pictures!

2012-02-08T17:07:00.000+01:00

Especially for Omi!

At breakfast, not quite awake yet...

Erin reading the 'Morning Post' making sure she knows what's going on today

In the gondola on the way to the middle station

On the slopes!

And now: off to the sauna and the pool!

Lermoos, Austria - Day 4 - A Friend For Erin

2012-02-07T23:55:00.001+01:00

The happiest news for Erin today is the fact that a girl has joined her ski class! Franz, Erin's ski teacher, was telling Walter that he saw the girl this morning, 'auditioning' for the ski school. He said to Walter 'I'll have her, she'll be a nice friend for Erin' Haha, I think that is rather funny. It is also nice to know that the ski school will always try and accomodate, where possible. Erin is thrilled, her new friend Melena is 12 years old and from Germany. They hooked up straight away and Erin is a happy ski-bunny!

The happiest news for the rest of us is the fact we have had a layer of new snow overnight! Like a knife through butter, that is what it feels like this morning and it feels good! The skiing conditions remain absolutely top notch!

A Very Happy Me!

I have my last lesson with Walter today. It is the best morning of the three that I have booked, and I get through it without any stumbles. And I feel confident using the new technique, clearly the lessons have brought a lot. The afternoon skiing with Cian went well too: the sun is out in full force, it is 'only' minus 17 degreesC, getting warmer this afternoon when temperatures go up to minus 13 degreesC. As Pierce pointed out, looking at the weather forecast: 'It will be warm tomorrow'. Forecast is minus 5 degreesC.

The Best Ski Teacher In The Whole Wide World: Walter!

The kids are not taking the hotel bus to get to the ski-school, three minutes down the road. From today on, they have agreed with their respective teachers that they meet them at the top of the first lift, the so-called 'middle station'. Makes it a lot less stressful for us in the morning, and gives us an extra 10 minutes or so. We take the kids up the gondola lift, across the road from our hotel, shortly before 10am, that way they can meet their groups about 10 past 10, and 10 past 2. They do take the hotel bus back to the hotel at noon and at 4pm, where we wait for them in the lobby. We are always on time for that, most of the time we are a bit early actually, but today we managed to miss Erin. Her ski group must have finished before 4pm and she must have gotten on the absolute first bus coming back to the hotel. As she did not see us in the lobby, she just walked to the ski room by herself, dropped her skis and boots, and walked back to the lobby, finding us waiting. Well done Erin for doing it all by yourself!

We are all pretty tired so we spend some time relaxing in the room after the 4pm 'Jause', before hitting the pool. Cian and I signed up for the wine tasting this evening so we do not make dinner too late. We want to be back in our room at 920pm. The kids will 'stay home alone' tonight: they make themselves bed ready before we leave and after promising us that they will go to bed at 10pm, Cian and I go down to the wine lounge.

The wine lounge belongs to the hotel, we do not need to put on any coats, the bar is located within the premises. All very stylish and state of the art.

We have a lovely evening in the wine cellar, which is downstairs from the wine lounge. Many of them hotel guests, some of whom we know on a first name basis. Shortly after midnight we call it a day: we have another gorgious day of skiing ahead of us tomorrow!

Lermoos, Austria - Day 3 - A Nice Warm Sauna

2012-02-06T22:00:00.000+01:00

It is still cold. But boy, do we have blue sky and sunshine! And the snow is absolutely brilliant, I don't remember ever skiing in these conditions: picture perfect! Just a shame that I did not take any new pics today: too cold to take my hands out of the gloves!

I have my second lesson this morning, Walter is waiting just before 10am at the bottom of the gondola lift, just across the street from the hotel. Today is hard. Clearly, I am changing my technic, I stand on my skis completely differently, really facing forward all the time, direction valley. And carving, oh yes! Walter takes me down black runs and off piste. He wants to show me his favorite moutain restaurant. Let me tell you, not an easy route to get there. But, I made it. Barely. By the end of the morning I am totally exhausted and am quietly considering taking the afternoon off skiing.

And indeed, I put my plan into practice. After lunch, with the kids gone to ski school again, I decide a sauna is what I need. Oh, it feels wonderful! The heat is comforting and is just what my body needs. A very enjoyable couple of hours, while Cian and the kids were on the slopes, I had a bit of me-time. Wonderful. After that, a brief nap in the room and by 4pm I am ready to welcome the kids for afternoon snack.

Pierce gets back first, and he tells me that Erin met Cian at the middle station and that they are both skiing down. And yes, after a couple of minutes they arrive at the hotel. Everyone had a brilliant afternoon. Erin is now very happy in her group. No new girls have joined, she still is among boys only, but I reckon she doesn't mind that at all. She realises she holds a special position, being the only girl, and that sometimes comes with advantages!

After snack time the family is off for a swim, and I just watch a bit of TV. We have an early dinner, the kids are keen to play with Lukas and Niklas. Their parents join us at the table for another glass of wine, but by 10pm we all cal it a day.

Wine tasting tomorrow.

Oh, and tonight's wine was 'Cardinal' from the year 2000 by Weingut Giefing, recommended by Marco our sommelier. Delicious!

Lermoos, Austria - Day 2 - Skiing In The Cold

2012-02-05T21:47:00.005+01:00

On the slopes today

The family finally came out of the pool at around 630pm and shortly after we made our way to the hotel restaurant downstairs. Italian Buffet, as always on Saturday, when most families are arriving. A very relaxed atmosphere and it was lovely to see the same guest that we meet here every year.

We invited Lukas and Niklas' parents over to our table for a glass of wine after dinner. A glass turned into a bottle. but never mind. Needless to say I had some difficulty getting up this morning.

The first morning is always a bit hectic: getting used to the routine, kids leaving earlier as they have to be assigned to their ski teachers before 10am, and so on. But we are old hands at this after five years of coming here, so we like to call ourselves rather efficient. Ha.

By 940am the kids are in the hotel bus on their way to ski school and Cian is in the lift on the way over as well, to oversee the ski class allocation. Particularly important for Erin, as she tends to take it easy hoping she is assigned to the easier level class, in order to have an easy ski week. Very calculating that little lady, which is why Cian is joining them to oversee the process. Ha again.

Pierce is in the group with Nick, as Rainer is giving private snow board lessons this week in order to make his Austrian ski instructor certification, and Erin is assigned to Franz his group again. Unfortunately, she is the only girl in a group of 5 kids, which she tells us upsets her quite a bit. At the same time, she also says she very much enjoyed her first day. she went off piste about 15 times (!) and she had a lot of fun. Not sure what to believe. Anyway, we'll see what happens tomorrow: Monday morning usually sees new kids enter the ski school for the week, so maybe Erin will have her way and another girl will join.

I have the first of three private lessons. Walter, my ski teacher for this week, meets me at the hotel, and CARRIES MY SKIS! Whoop whoop! Walter is also the husband of Gerti, who has been our waitress here at the hotel for the past 6 years.

As cold as it is, the temperature is about minus 16 degrees: the sun is out, the sky is blue and the snow is perfect. We all have a great day skiing! I actually am so tired from my morning lesson, that i only ski for about an hour in the afternoon. The old legs are giving up! I wait for the kids in the bar area, enjoying two coffees, while Cian goes upstairs to watch Ireland-Wales rugby. Unfortunately, Ireland lost.

The setting sun reflected on the Zugspitze- view from our room

Cian takes the kids swimming for another hour before dinner, while I enjoy a prosecco in the bar while reading my book. Dinner at 730pm after which we all are very tired, and are now ready to call it a day.

What a wonderful great day!

Lermoos, Austria - Day 1

2012-02-04T17:38:00.005+01:00

PIerce and Erin in the pool - bottom right

We are here!

Cian and I packed the car with ski-gear last night, so this morning all we have to do is throw the suitcases in the back of the car and set off. But not before a stop at our favorite bakery, for a round of coffee (for me) and hot chocolate. We hit the road at 8 and it becomes very clear very quickly that we are about the only people on the road.

We anticipate some traffic towards the end of our journey. The final 30 kilometers are not motorway roads and we have to cross the 'Fernpass', a windy road going up to 1200 meters. Luckily the weather is clear, but at minus 18 degrees Celcius it is cold!

As it turns out, we have no traffic at all. The only passages that cause a slow down are the artificially created short jams, just before the many tunnels. This is done to manage traffic and avoid heavy jams in the tunnels, which may cause rather dangerous situations.

As it happens, we arrive at the hotel at 11:30! Three and a half hours, which is rather fast considering we stopped twice: pee-stop for Missy Erin and one stop at a gas station to fill up the window cleaning fluid.

Our room is not ready yet, so we hang out in the bar area, have a drink, a bit of lunch and the kids kill some time checking out the play area. I organise the kids' ski school, and have also booked three private lessons for myself. It all starts tomorrow, whoop whoop! By 1:30pm we can get into our room. We unpack suitcases, the kids spend some time on IPad, IPod and IMac and Cian and I have a nap. Until 3:30pm!

Then there is knock on the door: Lukas and Niklas! They just arrived and checked into their room, four doors down from ours. Within minutes, they all hook up downstairs in the play area. They are now in the pool with Cian.

I am showered and hungry, ready to go for dinner so hopefully they'll be back shortly!

*Note: tonight's wine is 'Women' by Weingut Kerschbaum*

Abba - Mamma Mia

2012-01-09T12:03:00.000+01:00

Mamma Mia!

2012-01-08T20:22:00.000+01:00

Turning around on our first class seats gave us this view of the theatre

Opening scene

One of the gifts under the Christmas tree were four tickets. Four tickets to see the musical Mamma Mia! at the Theater 11 in Zurich, this afternoon.

Cian and I saw the show back in 1998 when we lived in London. It was a smash hit then, and after all these years, it still is now.

We drove to Zurich after brunch and had no problem parking the car. After handing in our coats and umbrellas (why we brought those I have no idea because it had stopped raining by the time we arrived in Zurich) we had a pre-show drink and took our front-row seats as soon as the doors opened.

We had a blast! By the end of the show everyone was dancing in the aisles, and although the kids tried to keep me sitting down at first, they joined in the fun very quickly.

Home around 6, time to throw the Christmas tree over the balcony, as one does, and the kids helping me to make dinner. We had a wonderful afternoon and agreed that we should have more of these type of outings in 2012! Well, we have several things lined up already, starting with Sleeping Beauty on Ice this coming Sunday in Zug, our ski vacation in less than a month, a train ride to St Moritz, a visit to Gramps and Nana in Dublin in April, our London trip in May and a long weekend in Lugano! And that takes us to May only, so go figure!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T11:51:00.001+01:00

© Photographer: Jolin | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Happy New Year to all our friends and family!

On the last day of 2011 we woke up to a real snowstorm! I had set my alarm for 730 to go for a run with a couple of girlfriends but one look out of the window made us decide to postpone. Back to bed then, and I managed to sleep until 1030! Whoa! And, we did that run!

We were invited to celebrate NY Eve at Family M.'s house. They live in Oberwil, which is a small town between Zug and Walchwil. From their terrace we had a beautiful view over Lake Zug and the fireworks.

A great evening!

Tschagguns, Austria

2011-12-27T20:00:00.004+01:00

After a lovely Christmas dinner, consisting of carrot & coriander soup, beef and chicken fajitas and home made chocolate mousse, we start packing on Sunday night. We all are looking forward to a couple of days away!

Monday morning we get up at 7 and after packing some last minute bits and pieces, the soft toys may not be forgotten, we hit the road about an hour later. Filling up the car, getting breakfast at the bakery and by 830 we make our way.

The ride is easy and quick, there is no traffic and as it is only 160 kilometers we arrive at the hotel in just over 90 minutes. Our room is ready and after offloading the car we put on our ski-gear and hit the slopes. We decide to go to Golm, the hotel bus takes us there. First time on skis this season for Cian, the kids and I had a run on Friday at Flumserberg already.

A wonderful couple of hours with one unfortunate incident: Cian has a fall, which in itself was not severe, but his mobile phone that was in his chest pocket gets slammed into one of his ribs. Very painful indeed, and at the time he does not realise it is only the start of much more pain and discomfort to come later in the week.

We decide to take the downhill run that leads all the way back to the hotel. It is very icy, which is not a problem for anyone in the Maynard family, except me. I Like Not. But I manage to get down in one piece.

On Tuesday and Wednesday move our explorations to another ski area: Hochjoch. It is not far either, the hotel bus takes us there in less time than up to Golm. We have two days of fabulous ski slopes, blue sky, plenty of sunshine and a lot of fun.

At 2400 meters!

Thursday, our day of departure, the weather has turned. It is snowing heavily which makes us decide to not go skiing today and instead go home. We are all happy with that really, we had a wonderful couple of days and are ready to go home.

Skiing And A Great Pre-Christmas Party!

2011-12-24T09:33:00.001+01:00

"Mom, come on, hurry with that picture, we want to get going!"

Christmas Break started! School finished Wednesday lunchtime and we kick off the break with lunch at McDonalds! I tell the kids I'd take them for a celebratory lunch after school and after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing between them they agreed on McDonalds. Oh well. I did say they could choose!

Thursday was a lazy day at home, suiting the weather perfectly! A grey, wet and windy Thursday, so perfect to hang around the house, play games, do a bit of grocery shopping, watch TV and putting on pajamas early.

Our plan to go skiing on Friday is a good one: the best weather day all week! Although grey and cloudy in valleys, it is going to be bright and sunny up in the mountains, according to the weather forecast. So I get up at 7:30am to check the webcam and the latest weather report and indeed, it is all looking pretty good. Waking the kids (they are not too happy, initially, and claim that 730 is way to early to get up when you have vacation, even for skiing!), packing our bags and after a quick visit to the bakery to get coffee and breakfast, we hit the road to go to Flumserberg at 8:30.

It is still a bit cloudy when we get there but as we go up the first lift we see the sun making a huge effort to break through the fog. And she does a great job! Within half an hour of arriving we have bright sunshine. Looking down towards the valley, all we see is, well, a layer of fog:

Lots and lots of snow has fallen in the past few days, well over one meter, which has not had time be pressed together and 'settle'. And as it is quite warm today, the snow is soft and wet (well, I guess snow is always wet but those who ski will know what I mean). It is 'break-a-leg-kind-of-snow'. Pretty difficult to ski and it reminds me of skiing in March, I call it 'Easter Snow'. I am not very fast and take it easy. So is Erin, so is not Pierce. He just sets off and is as fast as lightning. Erin and I take our time but after lunch Erin has had enough of me and jets off with Pierce, leaving me to be Miss Captain Slow all by myself.

Oh well, we all have a great day and after just over 3 hours of skiing, we call it a day. No reason to over-do our first ski session of the season (and frankly, I am getting a little bit tired but wisely keep that information to myself!)

At 7pm we have a new sitter coming, her name is Muriel. She has never been to our house but does a lot of child minding in another neighborhood in our town, so I know off her. I have a handful of sitters in my contact lists but none of them could come tonight. Muriel was referred to me by a local group of women who organising pretty much everything here in town, from English courses to computer classes to Christmas markets to Childminders. The kids are excited and a little bit anxious, not sure what, or rather, who to expect. But all goes very well! Within minutes Muriel is playing a board game with them! She is absolutely lovely, and just now, Erin asked me to put Muriel as the number 2 in my phone list. Sina remains number 1 of course ;-) I gladly oblige!

Muriel is the niece of Pierce's Grade teacher: a small world indeed.

I am off to our friends A. & R. who are throwing a pre-Christmas party at their house. She is a dear (running) friend of mine and we've had several dinners as a family before. Mostly I run with her and see her only when she's wearing sports gear! Cian unfortunately has to work late again, and will meet me at their house. Little do I know when I leave the house at 7:30pm that it'll take another 5 hours before Cian manages to leave the office. He has been very busy lately, with a new client coming on board January 1st. But at least now he can enjoy the Christmas weekend with us!

Oh, and ski-trip on to Tschagguns on Monday of course! Forecast looks stunning, so we can't wait to go!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Snow, And Lots Of It!

2011-12-20T20:43:00.001+01:00

Yes! The world is white and we're loving it!

We are leaving for Tschagguns in Austria on Monday, for about 4 days, for a bit of skiing, some R&R, and lots of food and wine. We are very excited about that of course, particularly now that we know that about a meter and a half of snow landed in the last few days. I managed to get two rooms at Hotel Montafonerhof relatively last minute, and lemme tell you: that was not an easy task! All hotels fully booked and no financial crisis in sight! But, as things go: its all about who you know and not what you know. So thanks to my darling friend D. I managed to get ourselves into a wonderful hotel on the exact dates that we wanted to go! Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home, then off skiing. Whoop de whoop!

The kids have one more day of school tomorrow. Well, it's a half day really, and technically, not even that: after recess all four grades will watch a Christmas movie in the Music Hall. I have promised to take them out for lunch to kick off the Christmas break: they are considering the restaurant options. Pizza or McDonalds?!

Plenty of snow in town as well, so high time to build a snowman:

December I Don't Remember

2011-12-19T19:54:00.001+01:00

I started to write new blogs numerous times in the past few weeks, but nothing ever materialized. And now, with Christmas only a few days away, I have no clue what we did in the past few weeks?!

So I will just go by the pictures on my IPhone: they will tell me the story!

Visit to Animal Park Goldau

Coffees in the sun!

Lots of Arts & Crafts at school this month!

Early morning rainbows out on my run!

'Klausjagen'

2011-12-02T11:54:00.001+01:00

Or 'Nicholas Chase'.

It is a huge event, attracting tens of thousands of tourists, in Kussnacht am Rigi on December 5th every year.

Many of the groups that participate in the Kussnacht event, came to our little town of Hunenberg last night, to participate in the parade. Erin had gymnastics training but plenty of time to make the parade, and my yoga wasn't going to start for another hour, so hey, why not.

We found a cosy little spot right outside the bakery (which I guess is where I spend a lot of my spare time, in the sun enjoying a coffee) and watched the parade go by.

So, you have the 'Klausjagers' that lead the parade. Then you have a large group of men, dressed in white tops who carry these huge trychels (and they make a huge sound!), followed by those that carry the so-called iffelen. More info here.

Erin and I got back to the house shortly before 8-- and yes, I made it to yoga and it was fabulous! (unlike last week when I managed to sleep through most of the class, for about 45 minutes). School is closed now until after the holidays, back on my yoga mat in January!

Erin's Birthday Party

2011-11-26T19:17:00.004+01:00

And what a party it was!

It all starts Friday afternoon! Erin is off to a neighbour's house to hang out with three of the four girls that are coming over for the slumber party tonight. They not only 'hang' they also walk the dog for about an hour. Getting all that excitement and energy to a lower level before they come over to my house lol

The picture on top of the blog was taken by Linda, isn't it beautiful? A couple of nationalities: Dutch/Irish, Swiss and Australian/New Zealand. Talking about going global!

Anyway, the girls come over to my house at 5pm, and girl number five, a friend of Erin's from her gymnastics team, is also coming over. It is a girl's-only slumber party: Pierce is over at Enja's house and will spend the night with his two friends Lex and Greg. They boys have soccer practice and all they are going to do tonight is enjoy some screen time. Typical male!

After inspecting the playroom, which I have cleared out and turned into a bedroom for the night, we are ready to set off for a gourmet meal at McDonalds. Ha!

We get back at around 8pm and the girls get into their PJs and settle in their respective beds from some serious popcorn munching and DVD watching. Bring it on! Never had such an easy sleep over, the girls were absolutely great! I mean, I am even able to go to bed early, with my book! The girls settle for the night by themselves, all Cian has to do is oversee the operation!

I hear the girls up early and I go downstairs to prepare breakfast. They had given me a list, you see: croissants, brioche bread and scrambled eggs! After breakfast the girls tidy up the playroom (gosh, they are wonderful these 8-year olds!) and get ready for the party.

The rest of the party guests arrive at 945 and at 10am sharp Cian and I take the kids in two cars to Trampolinos. Same place as last year. It worked well then, and boy did it work well today!

We drop the kids off at their respective homes at 3pm. The rest of my afternoon is spent on the sofa. Pfuh!

The fire is on now, a glass of red wine, waiting for the best show on UK Television: Strictly Come Dancing!

Finding The Sun

2011-11-24T14:00:00.005+01:00

I am on a quest and will go wherever I can find the sun.

Yesterday E. and I drove up Mt Zug, which is at about 1000 meters altitude, to go for a run. Normally, we'd bike up that hill but it is way too cold at the moment, which would make the downhill unbearable, and very dangerous with the wet slippery road. Besides, the fog is so thick, we would be invisible to any traffic.

So here are some pictures to bring the sun in your day:

That 'island' you see coming out of the fog in the middle of the picture, is the top of Michaelskreuz. Another one of our favorite biking destinations!

Mt Rigi on the left, Mt Pilatus on the right

Sattel-Hochstuckli And A Long, Long Walk

2011-11-20T16:59:00.006+01:00

Mythen Mountains

If the sun can not come to see us, we will go and see the sun!

We had lunch and a two-hour walk at Sattel-Hochstuckli today, and it was fabulous! Admittedly, the walk was a tat long for the kids, but they are troopers and soldiered on.

Sattel-Hochstuckli is also a ski destination in winter. It is kind of linked with Stoos, a larger ski region. But even so, it is not on our list of ski destinations in winter. All the lifts at Sattel-Hochstuckli are t-bar lifts, it is not very big and the runs are relatively easy. It would become rather boring for our children rather soon. That is why we prefer Flumserberg. It takes about 30 minutes longer to get there, but for that, you'll get a larger resort, a much larger resort actually, and proper ski-lifts!

Anyway, here are today's pictures. Pretty hey?!

Fog, Fog, Fog And More Fog

2011-11-18T19:24:00.001+01:00

The world is white. Not snow white, fog white. I hate it.

If it wasn't for the mountains that we can climb to get to the sun, and soon the snow for some skiing, winter here would be unbearable. If the fog 'line' is at about 800 meters, we can bike up Michaelskreuz, or Zugerberg, to go and find and feel the sun. This week, the fog line was well above 1000 meters so there wasn't any sun to be found anywhere, but yesterday and today it was gorgeous above 600 meters. Today we enjoyed a wonderful bike ride up Michaelskreuz, with great views all the way to Zurich and towards the Alps. Gorgeous! Cold on the way down though....

The white 'cotton wool' you see in these pictures is thick, thick fog

Erin 8!

2011-11-17T07:55:00.001+01:00

Our little sunshine, our gypsy child, turns 8 years old today! Happy Birthday Erin!

Unwrapping gifts on this dark Thursday morning, still a little bit sleepy after a late night yesterday, which was spent at the local pizzeria! Her birthday party is next week, with a visit to McDonalds, movie night and a sleepover with 4 friends on Friday night and a big, big party on Saturday!

Love you Erin Lily!

November, November

2011-11-11T20:38:00.001+01:00

The world has turned grey. It is that time of year again. We really have been very lucky so far though: we've had a wonderful Indian Summer, biking until well into November! Only this week it was the first time I found it too cold for the bike, Erika and I have been running instead.

Other than that we keep ourselves busy with running the household, which is the boring part, and catching up with friends over coffee and dinner. Life is good!

We went ice skating last Sunday at the Bossard Arena in Zug. The Bossard Arena is the stadium were EVZ is playing their home games. The arena has a lovely outdoor ice skating rink: absolutely beautiful! Ice hockey is a big thing in Switzerland and therefore, ice skating is as well. Not like in Holland, were everybody skates on natural ice!

Cian left for a weekend in Luxembourg tonight, he'll be spending most of the weekend on the golf course.

The kids and I are taking it easy. Erin has a busy week ahead of her: stage rehearsals and dress rehearsals for the upcoming bi-annual gymnastics shows, that are on the agenda for next weekend.

Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T21:21:00.003+01:00

Copenhagen

2011-10-30T21:21:00.000+01:00

First off: one of the most wonderful cities I have ever visited! Copenhagen! A great town!

On Saturday, as soon as the sitter arrives, Cian and I set off for the airport. The roads are quiet and we get to Zurich Airport in less than 40 minutes.

We are checked in already and have our boarding passes but our suitcase needs to be labelled and dropped off. As we come up the escalators we see a queue at the drop off area that is as long as, well, 100 meters? Where do all these people go to? In a split second I decide that we are NOT going to do the right thing and line up. No. We put on a straight face and full of confidence, like we belong in the front, we jump queue. Cian is in shock! About ten minutes later we pass customs. Ha. We buy some chocolate for our Danish friends and board the plane.

Our room at the Copenhagen Admiral Hotel has a great view over the docks and the Copenhagen Opera House.

We decide to get some fresh air and take a walk to the city centre. Wow! Great shops, from Hermes and Gucci to H&M and other high street retails, to the Copenhagen Souvenir Shop: all next to one another. A beautiful department store a la Macy's is also there: Illum. Very cool, very stylish!

A rather foggy Copenhagen City Centre

Indoor Illum

In the evening we attend the dinner party at Gustav's Bar & Bistro. Owned and managed by, well, Gustav, it is a recently opened restaurant slash wine bar. Gustav is a friend of the friends that throw the dinner party. And what a party it was. Lots of nice people, wonderful simply food, and the best champagne and red wine we ever had! No surprise: a few French vignerons and the champagne maker were also there! We had a ball!

We left the bar at around 3:30 in the morning. About 42,000 other people, so-called 'ravers' to be exact, decided to do exactly the same thing: leave their party in the park. Ouch. Impossible to get a taxi. So while Cian walked back to the bar to see if they could call a cab for us, I lingered at the corner of the street, waiting for Cian to return, and hoping that maybe, just maybe, I'd get lucky and be able to pick up a ride.

Shortly after one of those 42,000 ravers walked passed me and told me that I had a 'nice arse', a rickshaw cycled by. A rickshaw, you say? Yes, a rickshaw. Didn't know they had them in Copenhagen, but they do. So I asked the guy kindly if he would be willing to take us back to the hotel, and yes, indeed, I have a ride! I quickly call Cian (and I don't want to know this month's mobile phone bill) and about 25 minutes later we are 'home'. By now it is close to 4:30 but it is the end of summertime so the clocks go back an hour. Aren't we lucky?!

We have a long sleep (ahum) and make our way to the airport around noon. What an airport this is! Again, beautiful shops, Gucci and Hermes again, Tiger of Sweden (who make the best fitting jeans!) and InWear. A delicious smoothies & sandwich bar, Joe & The Juices, is were we decide to have lunch. As Cian said, this is not an airport with a nice shopping mall, no this is a shopping mall that happens to have airplanes take off and land.

But we both are happy to go home. We get back to Zug at around 6pm, say goodbye to the sitter who did a wonderful job and order pizza for dinner.

What a great ending to a great weekend!

To Copenhagen!

2011-10-29T08:42:00.003+02:00

Cian and I have a weekend away!

The sitter is coming in about an hour to take over the kids and then we're off to drive to the airport. Yuhuu!! I shall take pictures!
Looking forward to the trip!

Other than that all is well in Maynard Land. Kids have started final term before Christmas. It is a long stretch, and with the winter come the short days, so we look forward to the various single-days off. November 1, November 9 and December 8. We have got our ski gear sorted so as far as we are concerned, the snow can't come quickly enough.

We do have a lot of autumn fog now. Most of the time it keeps hanging around for the whole day, making you feel you live under a permanent grey blanket. This week was wonderful though: the sun would come out around lunch time and that would make the day absolutely gorgeous! Yesterday my friend P. and I rode up Michaelskreuz to get out of the fog: we kissed the sun!

That is fog you see down there ;-)

Off to pack and get ready!

First Snow In 2011

2011-10-19T20:30:00.001+02:00

Diary entry: first snow of 2011 on October 19!

On the way home from a wonderful afternoon at Family H. in Matzingen TG, we travelled over the Hirzel and there it was: white flakes! A bunch of happy and exciting kids in the back of my car! If they weren't already, they are now: keen to get their skis organised! We shall do so tomorrow morning! Let the fun begin!

Holland Week!

2011-10-16T21:08:00.001+02:00

We are on a two week Autumn break and after a great weekend lounging at home, spending outdoor enjoying the great weather and a Sunday cineman afternoon for the kids and two of their friends, the kids and I pack the car on Monday morning and set off on a 8-hour car journey to Holland!

It is raining cats and dogs here, but the forecast tells us we are driving towards sunny parts. Let's get going!

We make several stops, and we arrive at my Mom's house at 5pm. Within minutes the kids have dragged Oma for a walk to the village and a visit to the toy store. That seems to have become a fixed feature. The kids are allowed to choose a couple of toys and indeed they make a good choice: a lot of hours will be spend playing with them over the next couple of days.

Tuesday is shopping day! I am in desperate need of a couple of new outfits and we all drive to Boxmeer. This is the town where I did my secondary schooling at the Elzendaalcollege. This is also the town where Cian and I celebrated our fabulous wedding! And this is also the town where I find my favorite clothes shop, La Vie.

After a very successful shopping experience lol we have a bite to eat at Twins. Then we are all exhausted and in need of a lie-down so time to go home. Shopping is tiring!

On Wednesday the kids and I are off on a road trip! We are visiting my dear friend Erica and her two kids in Oisterwijk. It is an hour's drive from my mom's house and we picked a good day for a road trip: it is raining! The only day this week that the sun is not shining, so good timing!

I've known Erica for about 20 years. She is Erin's godmother, and I am godmother to her daugher Lisamarie, who is 13. It is always a very warm get together. Great to see them!

On Thursday the kids and I make a trip to ZooParc Overloon and afterwards we drive to restaurant De 7 Dwergen for Dutch pancakes and a couple of hours play in their outdoor playground. I enjoy catching up on some reading! I only manage to get the kids away from the playground after I promise them we come back on Saturday!

Cian is arriving at Dusseldorf Airport at 10pm on Thursday evening, and although I try to convince the kids that it will be a boring drive and it would be much nicer for them to stay with Oma's, they insist they want to come along. As Oma does not fancy to stay home alone waiting, she also wants to come along. So, a 4 people welcome committee is waiting for Cian at the airport! It is midnight by the time we get home and definitely time for bed for all of us as tomorrow it is Efteling day!

This week's highlight is definitely our annual visit to The Efteling! Desiree is driving down from Rotterdam and needless to say, is pulled into all the rides by the kids. An absolute wonderful day!

After a run on Saturday morning, I am off to do some grocery shopping (how on earth will we manage to get all that stuff in the car?!). Cian wants to go to Boxmeer again to have a look for a couple of new suits. Buying suits has never proven to be a quick thing but this time we are all surprised when the first suit Cian tries on, is a huge hit! Cian tries on another one and within 20 minutes (twenty minutes!) he is ready! There's a first for everything!

Pancakes for all one more time!

Today we had a smooth journey home and arrived in Zug at 8pm. The suitcases remain packed, unpacking them is my project for tomorrow, together with a long list of to do's ;-) Now we are all enjoying a quiet Sunday night. The kids have another week's holiday, and look forward to catching up with their friends this week!

Mr and Mrs Stork

2011-09-27T20:28:00.000+02:00

On our ride to Chapel Jonen today, we saw Mr and Mrs Stork arriving home.

You simply had to be there!

And how's this for a public toilet?!

More Birthday Outings!

2011-09-26T15:43:00.006+02:00

Mt Pilatus

September is a VERY busy month in terms of birthdays, wow!

Yesterday we celebrated my friend A.'s birthday, which is today, in style with a ride up Mt Zug. A. teaches Biology at Institut Montana so outside the school holidays she cannot bike during the week. Hence a Sunday morning Birthday Ride! K. and I organised the picnic with home made strawberry cupcakes with strawberry frosting (!) and a candle on top, some fruits and, because it is getting so much colder now, coffee instead of prosecco. A great ride and an unexpected sunny one: we've had morning fog every day of the week except yesterday!

I think I look HUGE in this picture but believe me when I say that I lost just over 3 kilos in the past 4 months!

By the way, you can see Montana school, or part of it, in the picture in the back, on the right.

I got home from the ride shortly after 11 and managed to do a very quick turnaround getting showered and dressed to make our way to Seilpark Rigi. It was one of Pierce's birthday presents from last week. Unfortunately it rained on his birthday so we moved it to today. A good move it was: the weather was absolutely stunning, as the pictures will tell you.

Erin unfortunately was not allowed to join as she is about half a centimeter to small. So I did not have to go either. And in hindsight, Cian said it was a good thing: in some places the zip lines were 40 meters above ground. Very scary stuff! But the Maynard men did great: Pierce in particular had a wonderful couple of rides without any fear!

What's not to like about these pictures?!

Erin and I could walk with the boys to the start of their (black run extreme!) zip line. The path led straight passed this family of cows, who one must say, do have a fabulous view, don't you think?

We got home at 3pm, absolutely cooked. Guess where the kids went? Outside, for another couple of hours of play with their neighbourhood friends. Where DO they get the energy from?!

Pierce 10!

2011-09-24T20:00:00.001+02:00

Wow, a 'teenie'! How time flies!

On the 18th of September ten years ago, he was born! Our first child! A week after 9/11, my due date!, which shocked the world, Pierce was born. I remember like it was yesterday. A relatively normal morning, a bit of stomach ache but nothing serious. I certainly didn't think labor had started! But it had. I called Cian at work shortly after lunch time, and he made his way home straight away. We hopped into a black cab that took us to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.

I remember telling the driver that I was having a baby boy and him saying that 'he would be a real East End boy'. Indeed. After a heavy labor, Pierce Gabriel Alan Maynard was born at 11:10pm.

Today Pierce celebrated his birthday party, inviting 12 friends. We all went bowling in Meierskappel. Same program, and same level of fun, as last year!

I am going to have an early night tonight: tomorrow at 8 I will be celebrating my friend A.'s birthday, cycling up Mt Zug, with coffee, cupcakes and candles!

Indian Summer

2011-09-12T13:31:00.004+02:00

We are not always sure were we are heading....

It is September. right?

Just checking as I am still in summer mode! The weather is stunning here: nice crisp mornings, beautiful sunny and blue sky days and lovely cool evenings.

The kids are outside playing every spare minute, at times forgetting there is still school work to be done, and I spend several mornings a week on hour-long bike rides. A real joy!

Yesterday E. and I were out for about three hours: Abtwil - Oberebersol - Hohenrain - Lieli - Kleinwangen - Ibenmoos - Chapel St Mary's Snow - Burgruine Nunegg. Here we had a wonderful view over the Swiss Alps, the highlight, literally, being the Titlis, in all her 3000 meter glory. Back home via Horben and Sins. A great ride!

E. and I often joke and say we should organise paid tours. By now we know so many different routes, many Swiss don't even know the places she and I get to!

The experts claim the weather will stay so we'll just keep enjoying it!

Remember September

2011-09-11T10:06:00.001+02:00

My 44th seems like ages away. And I guess it is. A week today and then it's Pierce's 10th birthday! So that means we are well into September. High time for a blog from me!The birthday get together was fabulous! I had 20 girlfriends around me, my darling husband Cian making the best and most delicious snacks and my darling children and two of their friends doing the serving and re-filling of glasses and helping out. I could just sit back and relax, and that is exactly what I did. A wonderful night!Cian is very busy at work, but enjoying it. Well, ideally he'd be retired now, but that won't happen for another couple of years. He is in Monza with his Dad, his brother and William, his friend from Luxembourg, to watch the Formula One. They are old hands at these kind of trips, making them every year. The weather is stunning, also down there, so I am sure they are having a good time!Since then, school has started, soccer training, weekly competition and gymnastics practice have begun, and so has the ballet. Both ballet school and gymnastics club have their bi-annual performance at the end of the year, so a busy program for Erin! Pierce has started keyboard lessons and Erin has begun Recorder lessons. Both take their classes in the local music-school, which is on the same campus as their school. And both love their new musical instruments. Pierce is now in 4th grade, Erin in 2nd, and both have kept their teacher. Here the class keeps their primary school teacher for two years. They also have separate teachers for English, for Art, for Craft and for Music. The class teacher will cover gymnastics and swimming. So a pretty good program and we are very pleased with the way the school system is run here. I guess it helps that Pierce and Erin both do well, so that makes it a lot easier for everyone involved! Throughout the summer I kept exercising and we have made some absolutely stunning routes through the cantons of Zug, Aargau, Zurich and Lucerne. What a pretty place, this! I am continuing to keep an eye on my nutrition (lost 3 kilos since May!), so all is going well. A new ride we did earlier this week. The goal was Horben, a location we know all too well, but the road to the top was a new one. We went via Hohenrain, canton Lucerne, rather than Abtwil, canton Aargau. Great view but yes, it was as cold as it looks

A lovely ride that made us get into the Halloween spirit. This cute little 'shed', is on the main road, open for everyone to see. The lady who owns it has decorated it inside and out, with a bed, a table and chairs, and laundry hanging off the wall. I hope the pictures give you an idea of what it looks like. Very cute!

Pre-Birthday Ride

2011-08-17T19:48:00.001+02:00

The cutest birthday candle, on top of a home made blue berry muffin, in the middle of Fairy Tale Forest!

My favorite forest in the whole wide world! We do not know the actual name but have given this cute forest our own name: Fairy Tale Forest. We, the Sporty Spices, had talked on Facebook about making this my birthday ride this year and you won't believe the reactions we had from people who live here, wanting to know where this pretty Fairy Tale Forest is, and how to get there, and what else is there to do, and are there real fairies there?! Haha. Nothing of that kind really, just our own little forest on one of the many rides we have discovered over the past few years.

The girls pulled out all the plugs, as we always do when it's someone's birthday. The birthday girl can decide the route and that is all she needs to do. The rest will organise the prosecco, fresh fruits, home made cupcakes, sandwiches and cheese platters. It was delicious!

Thank you girls for a lovely ride!

Breakfast Buffet Outdoor Style

Never do we see anyone here but just today when we need someone to take a picture, a lady is 'nordic walking' through 'our' forest. About 70 years of age, botoxed all the way, huge earrings, wearing lipsticks and long, very long nails. She not only took this picture, she also sang Happy Birthday for me!

Apologies for the bad quality of the pictures. Nothing to do with the subjects, it really is the camera: taken with my IPhone which I dropped on the bathroom floor yesterday. It is actually broken. Have ordered a new one though (birthday gift for myself!). Have come to realise that I really can't live without it anymore lol

Tomorrow I shall be celebrating my 44th birthday, and am expecting about 20 girlfriends for drinks and snacks on the terrace. The weather promises to be beautiful so plenty of bottles of Sergio are currently chillin' in the fridge!

At San Juan Airport

2011-08-03T10:25:00.002+02:00

By the way, Emily is making her way to the Caribbean now, she left Tortola on her right, passing by on the south side. That part of the world is not out of the woods yet though, Hispaniola and after that Florida, will have to stay on guard. Fingers crossed.

We had a great pool day yesterday, lots of girlfriends and kids came out to play. Wonderful. Today it is raining and some thunder and lightning visited us just now too, it is clearing up though. See what the rest of the day brings.

Weather: 'Emily' On Her Way To Tortola?

2011-07-31T09:35:00.002+02:00

Sunday morning. Suffering jet lag. Managed to get out of bed at 8:30, husband and children still fast asleep. I heard an alarm go off about half an hour ago but no reaction. Better wake them up shortly, otherwise we'll never get over this.

The weather is overcast so perfectly fitting for a lazy Sunday morning. It is supposed to get better and sunnier later today, we'll go for a swim at the lake side pool. Show off our tans. We'll stand out as Zug has not seen any sun for the past three weeks.

Tortola is on alert. A low pressure system is forming east of the islands, currently called 'Invest 91L', once it turns into a named storm she'll be called 'Emily'.

Too nice a name for something that can be so destructive. I am thinking of our family and friends in the BVI.

Home Sweet Home

2011-07-29T17:05:00.004+02:00

An early rise yesterday to make our 720 flight. As we leave the drive way I all of a sudden realize that I did not see the kids' carry on bags in the car. Ouch! They are still at Omi's house! About 10 minutes later than we had planned, we leave for the airport. Again.

The missing back packs remain the only stressful incident for the rest of our travel day: it all goes smooth! We have enough time between flights, but not too much that it gets very boring.

After arriving in San Juan, we are the first ones through customs and also the luggage gets on the belt very quickly. I find this a very efficiently run airport, as far as I can tell. Spacious, well sign posted, good shops, and efficient people! Remember how they turned around our luggage on the way in: within 10 minutes they moved our 4 suitcases from one plane to another!

We have just over two hours until our connection to NY so we walk over to the other terminal (the girl at the newsstand, where we get a few small things, says it is 'quite a a walk but worth it' She is right about the 'worth it' bit but no way is it 'quite a walk: not even 5 minutes! And there is a Starbucks! Clearly Puerto Rican girls aren't used to exercise: not many J-Lo's at the airport!

In NY we have just under 2 hours until our Zurich connection. Our departure gate is across from Starbucks (whoop-de-whoo!) and there are plenty of places to get a few sandwiches for on the plane. A very good flight back home, where we arrive at Zurich airport with only a 20 minute delay.

Our driver is waiting for us and we get through our front door at 930. Cian is off to work, and the kids fancy a hot soup (!). The washing machine is making over time, the dryer is running, the fridge is filled, I am almost through reading all the papers, still have some mail and one more suitcase left to do. Take it easy girl!

The kids have taken their bikes and are playing outside with Pierce's friend Marco and his sister Lea. They are going on holiday tomorrow, so the kids are happy to have a couple of hours to play. Cute to see that kids also miss each other!

Nothing like an early appointment to get over jet lag: 730am hair appointment for me tomorrow!

Last Day And We Are Scrubbing It

2011-07-27T20:00:00.000+02:00

Today is our last day here and we decide to spend it on Scrub Island. Magical, again! Hardly any people in the pool until about 3pm, when the Puerto Ricans come out in full force. Lots of bling bling and silicone, but they all have very nice children ;-)

While waiting for the ferry back to Trellis, the kids see two manta rays swimming below them. Beautiful species! They want to dive in with their snorkel but we figure it is too dangerous with all the different boats in the marina. Otherwise they would have jumped in a nano-second!

Another interesting piece of 'equipment' lying in the Scrub Island marina is Olga. If you have about $65000 left to spare you can spend it on her for a week ;-) Clearly, someone has, as two crew of Olga accompany a young couple with infant on the ferry to Trellis to take them to the airport. 5 star treatment indeed!

Cian drops me off home after getting off the ferry and takes the kids for one final goodbye, and a swim at Lava Flow beach, with Z&Z and their dad Ben. Kids just can't get enough of each other!

We are leaving very early tomorrow, our flight is at 7:20, which means leaving the house at 5:45. Ouch.
My next post will be coming from home!

Friends & Family

2011-07-26T21:55:00.004+02:00

Cian has his final dive and rescue dive assessment today, so he is leaving the house early. Kids and I get up around 8 and make our way straight to town to have breakfast at the Road Town Bakery. In previous years we would go there quite a lot, Pierce realized a few days ago we had not been there at all this time round. Croissants and pastries, a nice coffee: in short, a good way to start the day!

After lunch we hook up with Z&Z and agree we meet them at Lava Flow beach. This is our last beach day (we have another Scrub Island visit organized for tomorrow, our last day here) so the kids want to make the most of it and hang out with Z&Z.

And then, at 5pm, another highlight: Ceilidh and Molly are here for pre-dinner drinks and a nibble. Everyone is happy to see each other and we have a very cosy evening!

Smuggler's Cove & Lots Of Snorkeling!

2011-07-25T18:00:00.003+02:00

This item has been on my wish list for some years already, and today I got it!

Smuggler's Cove. Voted one of the top 10 (or 20, or something like that) beaches in the world, IMHO there are nicer beaches on Tortola. But indeed, the best smoothies of the world, definitely! $5 for a heavenly papaya (with fresh fruit!) or a delicious banana smoothie.

Jost van Dyke in the background

And then there is the snorkeling! Fantastic! We all went out more than once, and saw plenty of fish: Grouper, Stoplight Parrotfish, Harlequin Bass, Sergeant Majors, Yellowtail Snapper, Yellowtail Damselfish and, what I call, Zebra-Fish. Crabs too. A great outing!

To match our activities for today, Omi has cooked a delicious seafood risotto! How fitting!

Dolphin Discovery

2011-07-24T21:26:00.007+02:00

The Welcome Committee (and they kept on talking!)

We have our weather back! All is well again in our sunny world, the winds have passed and so have the clouds that covered the sun. A beautiful day to go on Dolphin Discovery!

The kids are up at 5, or so they tell us. We have no way of knowing: Cian and I are in the top house and they slept in the forest room, all in one bed (!). We could hear them chatting and laughing still at midnight, so our guess is that they had about 5 hours sleep. Tops. Oh well. That is what sleepovers are all about (and I guess that is why I don't like them). The kids do not show any signs of tiredness and are very excited about going to the dolphins today.

After the waffle breakfast we hop in the car and drive to town.

The kids have a wonderful time again. I believe it is Pierce's 4th and Erin's 3rd time, swimming with the dolphins. Z&Z have never done it before and have a brilliant time! Our dolphins today are called Maggie (mom) and Gaya (daughter).

Cian takes the kids for an ice cream on the way home and then drops Z&Z off at their house. We spend the remainder of the afternoon reading, hanging in hammocks and watching a bit of TV. Squeak and Emily were here for dinner, they just left and we are off to the top house now to retreat to our chambers ;-) Erin's been asleep on the sofa here for the past hour: out like a light!

Erin & Emily

Smugglers Cove tomorrow for some awesome snorkeling!

I Should Not Have Mentioned It

2011-07-23T17:46:00.000+02:00

The weather. I should not have said 'We have much better weather than last year', or 'And to think the weather is so poor in Europe right now'. Bad girl. The wind picked up during the night and we had quite a few heavy rain showers. It is overcast.

Not a picture I like for this part of the world, and certainly not during our holiday. Selfish, I know, but it is what it is.

A front is coming through south of us, heading for the Gulf of Mexico. We just suffer some of the side effects, so to speak. It will last a few days, the forecasters say, so we'll just have to grin and bear it LOL

Good day for a bit of shopping though. Erin and I head off shortly before midday and in the 3+ hours that follow we hit HiHo at Trellis Bay, The French Deli at the Moorings, Little Switzerland in Road Town, Arawak (my personal favorite!) at Nanny Cay and the Right Way the supermarket on the way home. I am pretty pooped, it has been a while since I went on a shopping spree!

But: I did get a bikini! I have been looking for a 'bandeau' bikini for a while, and I found one I liked in Switzerland for $250. I don't think so. As I cancelled an highly unnecessary hair appointment that was scheduled three days before our departure to the BVI, and I therefore saved myself about $160, I allowed myself a purchase of said bikini. For less than $100. A bargain! And a nice one too! Should the weather clear up between now and when we leave, we will make it to a beach and I will ensure a picture will be taken!

B. just called, he is about to drop Z&Z off for their sleep over. B. & J. own The Last Resort, a restaurant well known among the tourists and very busy, particularly on Saturday nights. They both work this evening, so the sleep over works out well for everyone.

Tomorrow we have the Dolphins in our program, something the kids, Z&Z included, look forward to very much! Omi and I will watch from the side lines and take pictures.

BBQ this evening, with home made apple pie and vanilla ice cream as dessert. Can't wait for dinner time!

Scrub Island

2011-07-22T19:20:00.009+02:00

View from the top pool-- Marina Cay in the middle, Trellis Bay on Tortola in the back right

Finally, Scrub Island Day has arrived!

We have 'signed up' for the 09:45 ferry from Trellis Bay and get there in plenty of time for me to have a nice coffee from D' Best Cup. I am in a chipper mood and offer my family the best choc choc chip cookies in the world, also by D' Best Cup!

View from my coffee cup

The ferry is new although it has had its first accident already. Read it here! We make it across the water without any hiccups!

On the 'Scrub Island 1'

Scrub Island is a wonderful, relaxed place to spend the day. The staff is extremely friendly, and our waitress Debbie remembers us from last year. She gives me a hug and a kiss as she finishes her shift at 4pm. We will see her next week one more time!

The marine is nicely filled with yachts, and according to the manager the hotel is booked out completely. We don't notice that at the pool area, it is busy but nicely busy. Pierce quickly makes friends with a couple of kids who are on one of the yachts and he plays with them in the water most of the day. Erin is happy to play by herself in the top pool, although she does make contact with one of the girls in the group.

Pierce checking out the yachts

Enjoying a daiquiri at the pool bar ;-)

We get the 5:30pm ferry and are back at the house shortly before 6pm. Great day! We are now waiting for today's highlights from the Tour de France, and then it'll be off to bed. No major plans for tomorrow, other than that Z&Z are coming for one more sleepover and I promised Erin to take her to town to do a bit of shopping.

Waiting for the Tour de France highlights and then off to bed!

In Hammock Mode

2011-07-21T20:30:00.000+02:00

Omi's office has arrived ;-)

Cool view hey, from the balcony down onto Road Town and today's cruise ship!

Although I had planned a bit of a lie-in but with the kids at sleep over, Cian gone diving and Omi gone working I decide it is just as nice to get up and enjoy the house by myself. A coffee, my laptop, and the Tour de France Stage 18 through the Alps, will help get me through the morning until the kids get dropped home.

The weather this morning is a bit overcast, with the occasional shower. It cools down things though, which is nice. And matches my plan for this morning perfectly: lounging at home, watching a bit of TdF!

By noon the sun is out in full force, my children are not. I had expected them home by now so I make a call to B. Kids are at the beach, after a morning of chilling out. It was late last night, apparently ;-) Anyway, the deal is made now that J. will drop the kids off at the house after I get home from picking up Omi from work. I expect two very tired children to be dropped on our doorstep later.

Meanwhile, I spend the hours like this

View from my hammock ;-)

My only outing for the day is picking up Omi from work in town, and picking up a pint of milk in the supermarket on the way home. Busy day!

Cian has almost completed his Rescue Diving course, still having some written tests and CPR test to do. He will go out to finalise that on Monday, and dive The Rhone as well. The good thing is is that he did save someone today and completed another set of skills. So, almost done.

We are off to Scrub Island for the day tomorrow! Ferry at 09:45!

Beach & Another Sleep Over

2011-07-20T19:50:00.002+02:00

View on Cane Garden Bay, taken from the car going back up the hill

After Cian leaves the house at 730, I walk down the hill to Omi's house and make myself a nice coffee. With my laptop on my lap, said coffee by my side, I allow the breeze to come into the room and help me kick off my day. Peace and quiet. Lovely. I put the Tour de France on, mute it, and just enjoy. It is, of course, particularly nice as I know that the weather back home is awful. All my friends have gone on vacation to sunnier places also, so I do not have to feel bad about that.

Last night, while watching a bit of TV all of a sudden we heard a big bang and everything went black. The transformer blew. It only affected the houses on part of our road, it certainly is not a black out affecting the whole area. We see flash lights through the trees, find our own and light some candles. Omi, an old hand at all of this stuff, calls the Electricity Board, who tell her that yes, they know about this fuse blow, they have another in Long Bay West End that they are attending to now, and yes, if the guys are not too tired, they will look at ours this evening. We have nothing better to do than go to bed. It is almost like camping I guess, but better. The kids lie on our bed for a while, watching the moon by candlelight. Rather romantic really. About half an hour later, we hear Omi call out something like 'Thank you guys', and within seconds after that, our ceiling fan is working. Electricity is back, yuhuu!

I love this island, I really do. But I could not live here, I find it too small and after a while, I would find it rather boring as I am used to the variety that living in Switzerland in particular has to offer. But to visit, and spend a couple of weeks every year, it is wonderful. Nice people who seem to be genuinely happy, the kids look well taken care of, everything works. A huge supermarket. Healthcare. Electricity Boards that come out late at night to fix things. French delis. Coffee shops. Rental cars.

Speaking of rental cars. The rental company calls to say we can get an upgrade on our car without costs! Yes please! A much bigger one indeed, and more power too: makes it easier to tackle this very hilly island! On our way to the beach we'll do the swap.

B. calls to ask if the kids want to come over for a BBQ and a sleep over tonight. They want. And if it would be up to them, they would come over now! First, we are off to Cane Garden Bay for a couple of hours at the beach and a bite of lunch. Cian calls to say he is finished early today: they were late going out on the dive and therefore decided to do the CPR bit tomorrow. So he joins us for a swim. By the time we get home it is close to 5pm! A long day!

After a dip in the pool, Cian drops the kids off at Z. & Z.'s house. We have a lazy night in front of the telly! Bliss!

Shopping & Village Cay

2011-07-19T20:28:00.002+02:00

Getting up at 8 is being followed by a lazy morning and a splash in the pool. My kind of vacationing!

Cian and Omi both have business to attend to, so the kids and I drive to town to have lunch at the French Deli, Delifrance. We find a free table upstairs and while waiting for our order, we see the sweet girl from behind the counter stumble on the stairs coming up, dropping the other of the guy at the table next to ours, all over the floor. Not a nice picture.

Then it is off to Latitude 18, one of my favorite shops on the island. Called Latitude 18 as the BVi are at, right, latitude 18. Pierce lost his wallet a couple of weeks ago, so was allowed to choose a new one. Erin chooses a new dress, and picks one for her friend M. Pierce choose two T-shirts. I, of course, did not buy anything. Typical.

After this spat of shopping we drive to Village Cay, where the kids have a splash in the pool and we all enjoy a daiquiri.

To top off our outing we stop by the Italian gelati shop 'La Dolce Vita' which is run by a local lady who is married to an Italian, so yes it is the real thing!

Our last stop is Riteway, the local supermarket for some small bits and then its off home for a splash in the cool pool.

We hang about the house for the remainder of the afternoon. Dinner tonight was waffles, left over curry and chocolate for dessert.

Tomorrow Cian is diving again, and Omi and the kids and I are off to Cane Garden Bay.

Norman Island & The Indians

2011-07-18T18:54:00.002+02:00

Pierce: "This is my kind of holiday"

The alarm is set for 8am, in case we all sleep very late. No need. We went to bed shortly after 9pm last night and after a bit of reading, all of us on our bed, lights go off no forty minutes later. Which is why I was awake shortly after 6 and the kids about an hour later. Kids and I have a bite of breakfast and over a cup of coffee I read the papers and the latest news on my laptop.

While we were in transit at JFK last week (gosh, it is almost a week ago I just realize), waiting in line at Security to get to our flight to Puerto Rico, we got talking to a very nice couple standing in line behind us. We had a bit of a chat about all sorts of things, from Lance Armstrong to the Royal Wedding, and found out we had been on the same Zurich to NY flight earlier: they were on their onward way home to Austin TX, after having visited their daughter in Kilchberg ZH! Anyway, they did say we should definitely get in touch with her daughter upon our return to Switzerland. She mentioned her married name to me and I tried to memorize it but of course by the time I thought of getting in touch with her last night, I could only remember her first name. So I posted a message on the Yahoo Group that I joined about 6 years ago, prior to moving to Switzerland. Does anyone know a lady called B. from Kilchberg? And yes, within an hour I had a response and I found B. She contacted me by email! We may meet up some day!

Back to this day.

We meet Egbert, our captain for today, at 10am at Village Cay. He will take us around a couple of the islands today, places where we can snorkel and swim.

But not quite yet. We need fuelling at The Moorings but on our way there, there appears to be something wrong with the two engines. We manage to get to The Moorings, just. We decide to get a coffee and a drink at Ginny's while Egbert is trying to work out the problem. It appears there is something wrong with the fuel. But nothing that can't be fixed, and with an hour delay, we are on our way.

First stop are The Caves at Norman Island. Lots and lots of different kinds of fish, crabs and coral and two turtles! Stunning! It makes it particular cool to snorkel into the caves, where it is quite dark. A historic place that is said still holds treasures from hundreds of years ago, hidden away in The Caves by the pirates that travelled these waters. A place with a story! Read more on Norman Island here

The Caves

Snorkeling makes thirsty (and tired!) so Egbert drives us to The Pirates Bight, where we have a daiquiri and the kids have a beach-side snorkel.

Second stop are The Indians. More, and Cian says 'even better', snorkeling than off Norman Island!

The Indians are rocks sticking out of the sea-- those who named them found the rocks looked like a Native American Chief's head dress.

Final stop of the day is Great Harbour on Peter Island. There is a water-trampoline and a water-canonball, as well as a 'climbing frame'. We are having trouble getting the kids away from it all!

A great day!

Now, the smell of roast chicken is travelling from the kitchen to the living room, so it appears to be time for dinner!

Cane Garden Bay

2011-07-17T18:20:00.000+02:00

We wake up to a black-out: we notice the fan not working and immediately think there is a blackout. Bummer. This also means no coffee :-(

As Geli makes a call to the electricity board to find out how long it'll be, she finds out that it has been on the radio for days now, that this morning a major maintenance will take place at the major power plant. No electricity until noon. Oh well. We have plans.

Cian leaves the house early today, he has his first of four days of the Rescue Diving Course at Blue Water Divers in Nanny Cay. He won't be back until 3 at the earliest.

Omi and the kids and I pack our beach bag and are off to Cane Garden Bay. Given it is Sunday, it is nicely busy and buzzing there, lots of families with children. Nice. The clouds are threatening with rain and indeed, shortly before lunch, the heavens open. Short and sweet. Guess who is left in the water? Indeed. My family.

But most of the time, it looked like this

Tonight we 'shall nibbling ourselves through the evening' (Geli) with chips&dip, left over curry and chicken salad. Yum.

Tomorrow we're making a speed boat trip, Virgin Gorda, Norman Island, and wherever else we fancy going! Looking forward to that trip!

Delicious Waffles and Lots Of Mozzies

2011-07-16T15:48:00.009+02:00

We left the kids to sleep in the 'forest room' last night, with the instruction to walk to Omi's bedroom when something should be wrong. Cian and I have our mobile on our bedside table in the main house. No need for any worries here, the kids sleep well, they sleep through the gust of rain that passes us in the middle of the night. At around 7:30, which I think is quite a decent wake up time for a sleep over, they quietly move to the living room and watch a bit of TV.

Omi has promised waffles for breakfast so the girls walk up to get us at 8.

The first waffle!

Lots of mosquitos at the moment, they are after Pierce big time. The various sprays we have do not seem to help, or maybe they do and the bites would be worse without the sprays. Nobody knows. Oh well, they will go away. Eventually.

Oh, and here's a picture of Erin's henna tattoo that she got put on last night at Trellis.

BBQ on the terrace this evening, yammee!

Cian has scheduled is first of four dives for his Rescue Diver Certificate, Omi and the kids and I will spend the day at Cane Garden Bay tomorrow! Yuhuu!

Sleep Over

2011-07-15T23:59:00.000+02:00

It was a late night yesterday. We left Louise and cute little Emily (3 months!) chatting to Omi at 1am when we went to bed. They stayed until 3! Our night was short. I managed to sleep until shortly after 7am, which in itself is quite the accomplishment.

After watching a bit of TV (The Open Golf and Tour de France), we make our way to Long Bay West End.

The pool there has a great slide and the kids look forward to ordering their first mango daiquiri this vacation. Omi had called ahead to pull some strings, so that we would not have to pay the $20 guest fee. After all, we have a free pool at the house, plus dozens of beaches on the island that we could visit for free, so why pay for any pool? Anyway. The string-pulling did not work. The lady, although happy to confirm a free for all on the phone earlier, wasn't so forthcoming when Cian signed up at her desk. We went to the Moorings pool instead, had our daiquiris and a splash in the pool.

Z. & Z. were dropped off for their sleepover at around 7pm, just in time for dinner. It is Full Moon Party at Trellis Bay!

Erin getting her hanna tattoo. A rose.

My view for the night

We got back about an hour ago, and while I am writing this, the kids have a splash in the pool. Off to bed shortly!

Tortola - Lava Flow And A Car That Is Stuck

2011-07-14T17:20:00.010+02:00

Hammock Time ;-)

A lazy morning after waking up at nine o'clock! It appears we are over the jet lag. Always easier going westbound I find. I, on the other hand, am awake well before everyone else. This lie-in thing just isn't for me. Instead I make myself a coffee and crawl back into bed, finishing my book.

After everyone is awake we walk down the drive and settle in Omi's living room. The kids watch a bit of TV, we read the news on our lap tops and we make plans for the day.

Jasper (taken by Erin!)

We decide on Lava Flow, taking Omi's car. The drive down is tricky- the road is quite steep and very bumpy. Still, it appears in better shape than last year. We pick up 6-year old Zolita on the way, she is joining us for a couple of hours of beach fun. Her brother Zebedee is joining a little while later.

There is no one on the beach, of course, and we spend a couple of hours in the water, with the kids playing in the waves and having a good time.

At around 3pm it is time to head back, we have Squeak and Emily coming over for dinner tonight and a bit of grocery shopping still needs to be done. Well, that steep and bumpy road is a lot more difficult to get back up, there appears to be something wrong with the 4-wheel drive. Just about 30 meters from the top, we still have to conquer the steepest bit, Cian lets myself and the four kids out of the car. We walk up the hill where I wait at the top and the kids walk to the Bramford's house. Little do we know this is going to take a while. The car just won't make it to the top! In the end, after several attempts to get the thing rally style up the hill, Cian has to leave it bang in the middle of the path, kind of sideways, back right wheel very close to the edge, and walks up in search for help. We are in luck! There is some building going on a bit further up the road, so Cian finds a man with a car and a rope who manages to drag Omi's car to safety! After handing him $20 for his kind assistance, Cian drives home to swap cars and pick up our rental, only to drive back and pick us (and our darling children) up! They've had their play date, and were briefly wondering if maybe we'd forgotten about them!

View from Omi's terrace (taken by Erin!)

Almost Full Moon (taken by Erin!)

With Omi's famous curry keeping warm in the oven, we are now awaiting the arrival of Squeak and little Emily: can't wait to meet the little girl!

Tortola - A Bit Of Pool, A Bit Of Beach

2011-07-13T19:05:00.001+02:00

I was hoping for our internal clocks to give us our wake up call at 8 or so, but it was not to be. 6am on the first morning is not too bad though. We are awake.

We are staying at the 'top house', as the main house is referred to in the family. The tenants moved out last week, it all went pretty quickly, so we are now staying there. Omi will move to the top house after we are gone and right now has her current house on the market for rent. Viewers have been coming in, and another appointment is made for Friday. She is hoping to rent out the property soon, so she can focus on renovating the top house. For now, we are staying there, and loving it!

Two different views from the terrace

Peter Island

Guana Island

I make a coffee and the kids walk down to Omi's house to see if she is awake. She is not, obviously ;-) Time for Plan B: pool! Cian joins them shortly after 7. Needless to say we are all ready for a good breakfast!

At 09:30 I have an appointment at Sole Spa (yes, a leg wax, much needed I must add), while Cian takes the kids to Blue Water Divers at Nanny Cay. The kids need new snorkling masks and Cian needs some text books for his Rescue Diver course, which he is going to start Sunday.

We all meet at the house for lunch and another splash in the pool. Off to Trunk Bay:

Tonight we are having dinner at Omi's house and as we are all pretty tired, I predict an early night for the kids and me.

A great first day!

Tortola - ZRH-EIS

2011-07-12T22:11:00.002+02:00

At 07:00 the taxi is taking us to the airport. Despite a bit of commuter traffic we make it to Zurich in around 40 minutes. We have managed to stay ahead of the check-in queue: after we drop our bags the line is becoming quite long. A full flight. A heavy one too, considering all the overweight people waiting at the gate. Oh boy!

A full flight indeed, with American Airlines staff so unfriendly, you wonder why they are in this job. Unbelievable.

As we find our seat, I think I see Lewis Hamilton in the aisle on my right. Cian can't quite have a good look and is wondering if I did see that right. After all, Silverstone GP was just two days ago, why would he be boarding in Zurich and why would he be off to NY with the next race in less than two weeks at the Nurburgring? Anyway. We forget about it, never been keen on the so called VIPS anyway. But guess what: even VIPs need to have their passports checked and present themselves to US Immigration and guess who is waiting in the same line as we are, leaning against the same pillar that Cian is leaning against? Indeed. Lewis. Haha.

We make it to NY ahead of time and have a few hours for connecting to San Juan; an extra hour even as that flight is delayed. It will make it touch and go for our connection to Beef Island.

While we are in the air, Cian and I are figuring out how best to handle this. It is unlikely we make the Tortola connection, which is the last flight of the day out of San Juan. Do we do nothing, and wait and see what happens? Do we try to get ourselves onto that flight, never mind the luggage? Do we stay in San Juan for the night and fly out tomorrow morning? We decide to call upon one of the friendly (unusual, for American Airlines staff) flight attendants. He is very apologetic for being delayed, although clearly it is not his fault, and offers us to help by speaking to the First Officer, the Purser and get in touch with the ground agent at San Juan airport. Whatever he does, it works. Just before landing the purser announces that all passengers who do not have a connecting flight, should stay seated to allow those passengers with connecting flights to get off the plane first. Guess how many people have forgotten that request?

We are in row 35. Out of 36. Can you imagine that? So, our friend the flight attendant instructs us to go as soon as he gives us the nod: the plane has not come to a complete stop yet, but he says Go, Go Go! So I rush through the aisle, waving four Tortola boarding passes, and shouting 'connecting flight, connecting flight', with my family and, as it later turns out, another half a dozen or so passengers, in tow. All trying to get connections to places like Grenada, Antigua and Tortola.

But: we made the flight. We are unsure at this point if our luggage has made it as well: we had less than 15 minutes to change plane. Oh well, we are on our way to the BVI, the final leg of this long journey. It is hardly a flight: less than 40 minutes and we land at Beef Island Airport.

And with us, four suitcases! Whoopie! Incredible but the luggage made it!

We are now at the house, enjoying a glass of champagne. The kids are enjoying a dip in the pool. Off to bed shortly!

Erin's Shopping List

2011-07-10T12:22:00.002+02:00

Another Birthday Party

2011-07-09T09:50:00.004+02:00

No wonder the kids are tired. Too much to do, too little time.

After the School Fair yesterday afternoon, which finished with a disco for the 1st thru 6th graders until 8pm, another early rise this morning for the last morning of school. And then, to top it all of, a birthday party! M., Erin's friend and our neighbour, celebrated her 8th, and Pierce was invited too. Oh, and Pierce has another birthday party to go to this afternoon.

They had a ball, the main event was a bit of horse back riding. A wonderful afternoon, and a great way to ease into summer vacation mode.

Meanwhile, my washing machine is making overtime, I am making lists all the time and everywhere: in short: getting ready for our trip. Three more sleeps and then it is:

Tortola, We Are On Our Way!

Another Couple of Bike Ride Pictures

2011-07-08T21:05:00.007+02:00

This time of year is just too beautiful to just pass by like that. Pictures are called for.

Road blocked on the way down from Michaelskreuz, last week after another summer storm

Last Sunday, Amtlerweg with A. Those are the Bernese Alps in the background on the right, indeed, Rigi on the left and Pilatus on the right

On the way up to Mt Zug - here is where we meet friend K. to make the climb up.

On the way down from Mt Zug - view over Lake Zug, yacht harbour on the right, Cham and Hunenberg on the other side of the lake

My friend K. and moi - on the way down from Mt Zug

Sainte Verena Chapel - on the way down from Mt Zug. This chapel was built between 1704 and 1710. Nowadays, a very popular church to get married in!

A big lunch!

2011-07-07T20:58:00.000+02:00

A friend asked earlier this week if her daughter could come for lunch today. Sure, I say, no problem.
Then, yesterday, a mother of one of Erin's schoolfriend asked the same. Sure, I say, no problem.
This morning, Erin asks if her friend S. could come too then. Sure, I say, no problem.

I mean, you make spag bole for two kids, or for five, what difference does it make? Add a few hot dogs and top it all off with a chocolate pudding, and Bob's Your Uncle.

We had a severe weather situation tonight: lots of rain and wind, thunder and lightning. Cellars flooded everywhere, landslides on the hillsides and just down the road two people died as a tree fell onto them. Mother Nature has her way.

Tooth #3. Gone.

2011-07-06T16:04:00.001+02:00

During golf lesson. I kid you not.

Zuger Seefest

2011-07-03T09:10:00.001+02:00

Yesterday we were invited for dinner with friends in Zug. In their cute house in the Old Town, a three minute walk from the lake. Best seats in the house! And with this view:

I met Hilde 'on line' a few years ago while they still lived in the States. I followed her blog, she read mine, and we were in touch occasionally commenting on each others blog posts. What a surprise when I read the entry on her blog three years ago that they were moving to Zug! Of course we had to meet up! Our first meeting was at Starbucks in Zug and many get togethers have followed since. The two of us for coffee, our kids to play and our respective families for various dinners.

And yesterday we were at their house again. It was a lovely, lovely evening. Hilde's husband pulled out all the plugs for a barbeque feast, the kids had a great time playing in the garden (Erin managing to shoot her shoe on the roof of the neighbour's house... there is always one, right?!) and the adults enjoying prosecco, wine and beer. And of course the Zuger Seefest fireworks! After dinner we walked into town and got the kids an ice cream, making sure to be back at the house to watch the fireworks from the deck.

Just under half an hour of fantastic fireworks - and we had the best seats in town!

Erin has a birthday party to go this afternoon, Pierce is invited to go the pool with two friends of his and their parents, so Cian and I just enjoy some R&R. Getting in Tortola mood!

A Very Cold But Cool Birthday Ride

2011-06-29T20:17:00.005+02:00

View from The Gubel

Today is E's 46th! And as tradition has it, birthday girls decide where the ride is going. And E. chose 'The Gubel'

Gubel, at around 1000 meters, is not necessarily a hard ride up, it is just very long. It takes about an hour before you reach the foot of the mountain, and then another 30 minutes to get to the top. And today it is hot, humid and, on our way up, wet. Very wet. But we get to the top in just under two hours, where we all change into a set of dry underwear (or no underwear, in A.'s case lol) and prepare the picnic.

Birthday Girls - the balloons are a give away!

Getting the picnic ready while trying to stay warm. C. drove her car up to meet us for the prosecco!

We have trouble warming up though, the wind is blowing and we are all pretty wet. So E., the birthday girl, checks her bike's dirt bag and pulls out a 20 Franc note. Of all people, she, the one who never ever gives up, offers to pay for a train ticket home! We take the S1 from Baar to Hunenberg, from where we only have another 10 minutes to get home.

So we glide down the hill and get to Baar in about 25 minutes. While E. gets tickets for us and our bikes, P. and I hop in the small store and get ourselves a warm coffee. Never has a coffee tasted that good! Yummee!

What a ride!

Gymnastics Gurmels 2011

2011-06-25T20:05:00.004+02:00

Last night we celebrated the end-of-season party for Pierce's soccer team. The coaches had reserved the Clubhouse for us to use, and all parents had brought something to eat for the buffet, bringing their own wine and beer. Soft drinks were offered by the club. Home made mini-pizza, fresh melon, home made lasagna, Hunenberger cherries, home made apple pie, chocolate brownies: it was all too yummee!

The kids had a run around, the boys kicked around a football (of course!) and teased the girls (of course!), and it was well after 22:00hrs by the time we got home.

Erin's friend A. is staying the night, the girls have their final gymnastics event for this season today. We are driving all the way to Gurmels, canton Fribourg. Just under a two-hour drive. Gurmels is a very small town but let me tell you: a top class gymnastics hall!

'My' two girls walking towards the sports hall

View from sports hall to the village - the church next door, of course!

The Hunenberger girls had a great day, with one 3rd place, one top 10 and two top 30 places (out of over 40!). Everyone happy! Oh, and Erin had her season's and personal best!

Countdown

2011-06-23T08:21:00.005+02:00

Less than three weeks until Tortola! That is the most important message of today!

Still a long list of stuff to do and many things happening until then, but we'll get it all done! Two more weeks of school. Kids are off today and tomorrow, field trip next week and a end of year school fair the week after does not leave many days left to learn anything and work on the curriculum, but never mind: it gets us in the spirit of summer break!

A rainy day today here in Zug. My darling friend E. and I decided we will drop our respective kids in the cinema this afternoon, while we are going for a coffee and a chocolate volcano cake (the one we wanted a few weeks ago when we had dinner in Zurich but where that kitchen was out of desserts, remember?)

Helter Skelter In Matzingen TG

2011-06-12T21:28:00.010+02:00

As the kids are both away on a sleep over on Friday night, my Saturday morning is all 'me-time', with a pot of coffee, my MacBook and lots of peace and quiet. Very enjoyable and a great way to start the long weekend. Cian is enjoying a long lie-in (what's new lol) and by the time the kids are back from their respective sleep-overs, we are slowly but surely getting ready to go to Matzingen TG, to visit Family H. Friends of our since the summer we moved here, they have three daughters, the middle one was with Pierce in the Montessori school for one year.

Little do I know that the getting ready slowly but surely, will turn into a small crisis about thirty minutes later. Well, a crisis for me, that is. As Monday is a holiday I decide I better do a bit of grocery shopping before we set off. The florist for a gift for our weekend's hostess, the chemist, the butcher and the supermarket, where I also get a couple of bring-alongs for A., L. and M., the three girls.

Everyone is ready to go by the time I get home and as I pack my handbag I realize my phone is gone! I know, it is only a phone, and it is only a 3G and it is two years old, and and and. But, my life is in there! So I am pretty upset. As I am convinced I left it in one of the four shops, I race back to the different stores, and in the supermarket check every trolley. I even ask people pushing the trolley if they have found my phone. No such luck. Phone is gone. At home, I try to get through to my provider to see if I can block my number, while Cian goes out one more time to retrace my steps. While he is out and I am on hold in a queue that according to the nice robot-lady on the phone tells me will take anywhere between 4 and 9 minutes, I unpack the groceries. Then all of a sudden I realise that there is one little bag I haven't checked: the small bag with the treats for the Matzingen girls, that I had already put in the overnight bag, and which is at the front door waiting to be loaded into the car! And yes, there it is: my phone! On silent, which is why we did not hear it ring when we called it (about 9 times!)

With an hour delay we make our way to canton Thurgau. There is no traffic so we arrive shortly before 3pm. It is overcast but not cold, so it doesn't take long before the kids jump in the pool. Cian and R. walk the dog and are gone for about half an hour, while my friend N. and I enjoy a glass of prosecco and supervise the pool. We are not doing that great of a job as within 10 minutes the first child gets pulled in with clothes on. Oh well, nothing a dryer can't fix.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere. Oh heck, it is in Thurgau!

Pool Fun!

We have a lovely dinner, great chats on the outdoor terrace, wonderful wine and the log fire in the living room, and a very late night. What a great afternoon!

Wake up call this morning is the blue sky and bright sunshine. After breakfast on the terrace, the kids make a fire in the corner of the garden, then jump in the pool for some cool down, then more fire and lots of go-carting! L. had her birthday earlier in the week and got this go-cart as a gift. It is called a 'skelter' in Dutch, hence the blog title! A huge hit with all the kids!

Sunday morning breakfast

Fire!

This goes on the whole day, while the parents relax pool side. It feels like holiday! Heck, it IS holiday!

Murphy & Erin

By 5pm we call it a day and pack our stuff. All good things must come to an end. We had a great time with N. and R. and their three girls. At the end of the month I will drive up to Matzingen again with three girlfriends to spend the morning and have lunch with N.

We are now at home, and just finished a delicious take away pizza. We are now awaiting the continuation of the Formula One race in Montreal which is stopped due to rain. I think I am off to bed, that is much more exciting!

'Long' Weekend. Well, kind of.

2011-06-06T21:45:00.007+02:00

Ascension weekend. Bank holiday on Thursday and the kids are off school on Friday. Time to catch up on sleep, R&R and exercise whenever we feel like it.

Cian and I have a 9:09 tee off on the 9-holes course at the local golf club. On the second hole I make a wrong movement and I feel my lower back stiffen up pretty much immediately. Ouch. But instead of treating myself with hot patches and some diclofenac, which here you find in for example Voltaren tablets, I let it go. Stupid. Because by the time Saturday comes I am in a lot of pain and by Monday morning I can hardly walk. Time to act! Indeed, the hot patches and the tablets do the trick! As I am writing this, my back feels a lot better already and I think I am up for Mt Zug tomorrow!

On Friday morning my darling friend P. and I cycle up to Michaelskreuz. It is very warm today and the downhill comes as a welcome cool down. Halfway down the hill P. realises she left her helmet and her sunglasses in the chapel! Oops. The only option is to cycle back up and do the ride again!

View from Buonas onto Lake Zug, with Zug in the background

Friday night we have Bee and Claudio and their daughter Sharone over for a BBQ. Despite the dark clouds threatening us with rain, it remains dry and warm and we stay outside until midnight.

Saturday is a lazy day for all of us. Another bike ride for me, a run for Cian and lots of outdoor play for the kids. Tonight P. is celebrating her 40th birthday with a couple of girlfriends and has invited us for dinner at Restaurant Kreis 6 in Zurich. Whereas the food is superb, we are all rather disappointed when we find out that the one dessert we all want to have, the Chocolate Souffle, is out. How can this happen? Can't you make a new one?! The wine was good though lol

We finish the weekend cycling to Restaurant Wartstein, here in the village, with lots of trampoline and pizza fun for the kids!

Lugano

2011-05-29T20:49:00.010+02:00

Friday morning the kids are all excited already: they are allowed to leave school half an hour early! That alone is a weekend highlight!

I pick them up from school and we make our way to Zug, where we park the car at Cian's office. It is pouring rain but we manage to stay somewhat dry.

Our train leaves bang on time at 3:30pm and it continues raining all the way, until Bellinzona. Another 20 minutes train ride and we arrive in Lugano, where the sky is blue and the sun is out in full force. Yuhuu!

We had planned to take the bus to the hotel, but as the weather is so nice we decide to walk. An easy walk, despite all the luggage, with view over the lake. Stunning. Oh, do I love Lugano!

View from our room onto Lake Lugano and the hotel garden

After check in, the kids jump in the pool and have a right splash before dinner. This is what weekends away are all about!

The hotel pool

We have a quiet dinner in the hotel and then walk into town for dessert. Via Nassa is the expensive shopping alley in Lugano, with shops like Luis Vutton and Chanel. Nothing to buy for under $2000! The alley leads onto the main square which is filled with people tonight. All the terraces are full, and there is a concert. Hard rock! A wonderful mix of people walking around, which is fun to see.

Saturday we spent at the pool, only to take a break to walk into town for lunch. On the way we make a stop in the 'Park of Villa Garden'. The picture on top of this blog is taken there. Very beautiful indeed, and right next door to the hotel!

We are back in time for Cian to watch Monaco's F1 qualifying, while we get back to our lounge chairs at the pool. Sunday is much of the same: it is too hot to do any sight seeing, besides, we are all happy to spend another couple of hours in and next to the pool. We have lunch at the hotel. The hotel offered for us to keep our room until we leave for the train, which is very handy as it allows us to relax in the morning, pack our suitcases at our leisure and have a shower before going back home.

The train ride is stunning this afternoon, and Erin took a few pictures:

We are back in Zug at 6:30pm after a wonderful 'break away'.

Soccer Match In Holiday Paradise

2011-05-21T19:00:00.000+02:00

In Ebikon, a quarter of an hour drive from home.
Makes losing 10-1 a little bit easier to bear.

B&B

2011-05-15T14:53:00.003+02:00

If you're ever find yourself us not being home and no way of getting into any of our spare beds, you can sleep here

close to the top of Michaelskreuz.

Hows that for a B&B?

Communion Pierce

2011-05-01T23:59:00.000+02:00

With the positive adrenaline from the circus still flowing around the house (it was such a fun performance at Circus Monti yesterday) we all get up early on this beautiful Sunday.

My alarm goes off at 7:15, I go downstairs to make a pot of coffee and wake up D&Z. About half an hour later everyone is in the land of the living and getting ready for church.

Pierce meets all his fellow Communion kids in one of the halls in the community center. All parents and relatives, and there are about 600 people or so!, wait next door, just outside the church.

The Music Orchestra Hunenberg accompanies all children to the church. They enter the church first, the parents and relatives follow after them.

The church was full! Desiree, Erin and I managed to get a seat in the back somewhere, Cian and Zeppo found a wall to lean against. The Mass took about 80 minutes, there was a lot of singing and several children said a prayer. All in all, it was very sweet, and light hearted really.

Pierce couldn't wait to take of his 'dress', as he called it, and was happy to be 'Pierce' again. I got the feeling he felt a little conscious and uncomfortable, being in the spot light.

We hopped in the car and went for a delicious brunch at Creacafe in Sins, an all time favorite, and just 5 minutes by car. There, the table was ready and they had put out a little gift for Pierce, which was very thoughtful.

After sitting down for so long, the kids were ready to play and after we got home, they put on their rollerblades and went outside in search for their friend. The weather was gorgious and they stayed out until dinner time.

We all had a lovely day, and most of all, Pierce loved it too!

A Mixed Bag

2011-05-01T15:21:00.006+02:00

We have had a couple of wonderful and hectic days!

Pierce's first communion today but that asks for a separate blog and pictures, later.

In the train to the Dutch Embassy in Bern with Pierce on Thursday

On Friday we watched the Royal Wedding, of course! Cian and I were invited to a dinner party at Restaurant Falken in Neuheim, a friend of ours celebrated his birthday and invited around 30 friends and relatives. It was delicious! Zeppo and Desiree looking after the kids and Cian and I had a lovely evening! We got home way too late of course, in bed by 2:30.

My alarm went off at 08:00, to get Pierce ready for a final Communion prep at church. Needless to say he was not a happy bunny to get up that early.

Pierce had a soccer match in the afternoon, which they won 8-3! Here is them at half time, a well deserved rest!

And then last night, we had another highlight: Circus Monti! An annual event for the Maynard family, albeit in different constellations: We have been with Omi, with Oma, with nobody so just me and the kids, and last night we were out there with Zeppo and Desiree. http://www.circusmonti.ch/ is definitely a must see!

Check out Mick Holsbeke, Marie Eve Dicaire and Rachel Nehmer & Benjamin Wendel!

The stage! Looks a bit weird, no? But believe me when I say that the performance was fantastic!

At the circus

Desiree and Zeppo have another night here, they leave on an early evening flight tomorrow. We'll enjoy their visit until the last minute!

Desiree & Zeppo

2011-04-28T08:37:00.002+02:00

Landed!

The kids and I picked them up at the train station last night. They flew in from Dusseldorf and hopped on the train to Zug from the airport. Easy peasy. In the same train as them, were friends of ours and their twin boys, they returned from a long weekend Barcelona. I think it is save to say we annoyed a lot of commuters around us last night, ten of us kissing and chatting away.

Picking up D&Z was the highlight of my day, which was spent unpacking the Dublin suitcases, feeding children (both Pierce and Erin had friends over. Again), doing laundry, ironing, shopping and more laundry.

Pierce and I are off this morning to Bern. Pierce's passport expires early August and it will need to be renewed before we fly to the BVI in July. We'll make a nice outing of the trip, catching a 10am train. D&Z are staying home with Erin.

Dublin Day 5 and Home Sweet Home

2011-04-26T22:03:00.002+02:00

This morning is spent relaxing and packing. After a walk to Howth Harbour to watch the seals, we have lunch at The House Restaurant. Fresh catch of the day all round!

Cian and I have another shopping round at McGuirks. Shoes for Cian, a 3-wood for me and a new putter for both.

Colin drives us to the airport at 3pm, where we depart from the brand new Terminal 2. Nice and very 'continental Europe'. The slogan on the shopping bags is 'The Future Of Airport Shopping', although I fail to see the futuristic aspect of the duty free, but never mind.

We arrive in Zurich on time but have to wait quite a long time for our luggage. Not as long as the Air Berlin folks who flew in from some sunny island: they appear to have been waiting for quite some time and by the time we passed their luggage belt, the announcement came that it would take another 15 minutes. Oh, and not as long as the handful of passengers who flew in from Dubai an hour earlier and were still looking at a luggage belt doing its rounds. Without their luggage though.

Anyway, we got home about half an hour ago, the kids just got out of the bath tub, I had a quick shower and am watching Masterchef now.

It was a wonderful trip, we all had a great time and look forward to our next gathering with Colin and Noreen (and Bailey!) in Lugano at the end of May.

Tomorrow it'll be laundry day, tidy up day and getting-ready-for-Zeppo-and-Desiree-day: they arrive at 6pm! Yuhuu!

Dublin Day 4 - Golf, More Golf

2011-04-25T22:22:00.000+02:00

After breakfast we all play the 12-hole 3-par course at Deer Park. The kids and Bailey walk with us and are being offered 1 Swiss Franc for every golf ball they find. The two confer and come back saying they settle for 1 Euro for every golf ball found. It is money they can spend here. They have also figured out by now that 1 Euro is about 1.50 Swiss Francs. Haha.

They find 7 balls, and spend the money in the corner shop on Ice Tea and M&M's.

Cian is going to visit his grandmother in St Vincent's Hospital this afternoon. Nana takes the kids to her sister and brother-in-law, and afterwards for some fun and games with another sister and her family. They are having a blast of a time, while I read my book on the bed. Never thought a visit to the in-laws could be this tiring!

Because guess what?! Colin and Cian talk me into another 9-holes at Howth Golf Club. The back nine this time. A very challenging course indeed, lots of hills to climb. I am very tired, and call it quits after the 16th. I am done. And freezing cold, so am looking forward to a hot shower before dinner.

Nana has prepared a beautiful fish-dish, my favorite! And a couple of glasses of red wine later, I am ready for bed.

Gramps takes the kids out for a late night dog walk but I have already moved to the land of sweet dreams!

Tomorrow is our last day here.

Easter Sunday, Family Visit - Dublin Day 3

2011-04-24T20:55:00.008+02:00

Starting off with some family snaps ;-)

Happy Easter Everyone!

We are taking a day off today, and will not spend any time on the golf course. Instead, we go for a nice walk (well, a climb, really) after breakfast.

Dalkey in the background

Martello Tower, with the 'Pigeon House', the power station, in the background

I am off for a nap as I am extremely tired today. Is it all the golf playing? Or the healthy air along the Irish Coast? Or maybe it is the late night and the red wine after all? Who cares?! My nap is wonderful!

At around 2pm we set off to meet Cian's aunt Sandra, that is Colin's sister, and her partner Barbara, in Ashbourne. Cian's cousin Dylan is there with his son Gary, and so is Barbara's daughter Liz and her husband Frank and their daughter Lauren, almost 7. Needless to say that Pierce and Gary and Erin and Lauren strike up a friendship in absolutely no time and play together the rest of the afternoon. A bit of football and lots of badminton. They are having a great time. Well, all of us are having a ball. The last time I saw Dylan was at our wedding, 11 years ago next month.

The lunch we were served was delicious: salmon, ham, potato salad, quiche (Granny Maynard Recipy!) and apple pie and ice cream for dessert. We could not have been any more stuffed!

We just got home now, the kids are watching a bit of TV, the adults are watching golf (well, we didn't play the game today, we may as well watch it)

Golf, Shopping, More Golf - Dublin Day 2

2011-04-23T22:00:00.007+02:00

After a very long breakfast (some family members actually have two breakfasts on this gorgeous day ;-) Cian set off to play a round of 9 holes at Deer Park Golf Club. Not the 12-holes 3-par course we played yesterday, but the 9-holes. EUR15 each. A bargain and an unheard of price for Swiss standards. The 9-holes in our local club in Holzhausern will cost you EUR42 on a Saturday! That is almost 3 times more expensive!

While we are out playing golf, Gramps and Nana take the kids for a trip to the local toy store and the play park at Malahide Castle. They do have a lovely time, but unfortunately, Erin is running a bit of a temperature, so the outing is cut somewhat short. When they get home they put Erin to bed, and by the time Cian and I get home, at 3:30pm, she is still asleep.

The pictures show that Erin is not quite that well:

And guess what we fancy doing after a sandwich and a coffee at snack time? Indeed, we fancy another round of golf. Colin, Cian and I leave Pierce happily playing his Nintendo and Erin asleep in her bed upstairs with Nana, for a round of 9-holes at Howth Golf Club, Gramps and Nana's local.

A stunning golf club, very hilly but therefore with beautiful views. A great round on this lovely Spring evening. One must love the names of the holes: Ireland's Eye, Knocknabohill, Bloody Stream, Black Linn, The Tank and Hog's Back. Just to name a few!

View from the first tee, Ireland's Eye

Tee Off 9

View on Portmarnock Golf Club. A links course, one of the world's top courses. The Irish Open are being played here too.

The kids have just come back with Gramps and Cian from their evening walk along the beach with the dog. Erin is feeling a lot better already, and keen for a game of Snakes & Ladders.

Baile Atha Cliath - Day 1

2011-04-22T22:24:00.004+02:00

Early morning rise for our 9:20 flight. We have quite a bit of gear to check in, including two golf bags, so we want to make sure we are early, just in case. We had expected the airport to be much busier, given Good Friday and the Easter weekend ahead of us, but most of Switzerland had already left it seems. Plenty of time for a Starbucks Venti Non-Fat Cappuccino For Mum.

We fly Swiss on the way over to Dublin and it must be said: a top airline. The snack includes a lovely croissant and delicious fruity yoghurt, coffee galore and chocolate Easter eggs.

Touch down at Dublin Airport (photos by P. Maynard)

Luggage arrives on the belt very quickly and Gramps is waiting for us already. Another 20 minutes in the car and we arrive in Howth. Smooth sailing indeed.

A quick bite of lunch and then off to one of the many local golf courses. We choose Deer Park, a ten minute drive from the house, and a public course, so very low key. We play the 12-hole 3-par course: Noreen, Erin and me against the three generations of Maynard-men, Colin, Cian and Pierce. Let's just say the girls had a good round, with impeccable club choices all the way ;-)

Impressions of the golf course. It looks cloudy, and it is ;-) but we did get a sun burn!

After the round, Colin and Noreen drive to the supermarket to get some shopping, while we drive into Howth for a quick walk along the harbour and a portion of fish 'n chips at the best fish 'n chips shop in town: Beshoffs.

Howth Harbour

After dinner, Colin and Cian walk kids and dog to the beach, about a three minute trip on foot, for a final run around. Shower an bed it is after that.

I am exhausted myself, while typing this, and look forward to a good night sleep! Tomorrow is going to be another busy day!

Alpenhof, Kussnacht SZ

2011-04-20T21:33:00.006+02:00

On this third gorgeous day of Spring Break, I find Pierce featured (picture only though) in the local weekly, that runs an article on what to do in the area on wonderful days like these. Well, mini golf would be one of them. Picture showing Pierce about to put the ball. Very cool indeed.

Also on this gorgeous day I have a 7:30am hair appointment in Zug. Early indeed and particularly cruel this morning as I had a very poor night sleep, lying awake for about three hours from 2am onwards. Not fun.

Pierce's friend M. rings the door early, as agreed with his mother yesterday. Erin's friend A., with whom she went to the Zoo yesterday, is arriving soon after too, and we make our way to Alpenhof in Kussnacht. Trampoline time! Funny how I managed to take not one trampoline photo!

Our reading needs to be practiced every day, not a favorite, so we might as well read a menu

It is the same ice cream on each of the four photo ;-)

The boys had to attend a two hour prep session in search for tomorrow's church celebration, ahead of the First Communion on May 1st. It is not the first session and they have two more two-hour long sessions to go at the end of next week. Needless to say then, that the boys were not pleased about having to go in this afternoon. They came here for a small snack afterwards, to then hop on their respective bikes and play until tea time.

A. stayed here and played with Erin and some of the neighbourhood girls until shortly after 6. Pierce by then had long hit the road to attend soccer practice. An important match coming up a week on Saturday, so coaches were keen to keep the trainings going during spring break. Well, if nothing else, Pierce can always use the exercise.

He does want to loose a bit of weight. He has increased his outdoor play and activity already, next on the list of things he wants to do is adjust his diet. Certainly cut out evening snacks, and he is willing to try more different types of foods. We're off to Dublin on Friday, so that will be a good place to start: it takes a lot to beat Nana's cooking, she is a great chef! I for one am looking forward to it a lot, including the daily fresh fish from Howth Harbour!

Mini Golf And Bike Ride

2011-04-19T17:19:00.002+02:00

Day two of Spring Break and I get up early to hit the road on my bike. A. flew back in from the USA yesterday, and P. has friends over from Mexico, one of which is of the sporty kind, so the four of us leave for good ole Amtlerweg at 8:30.

By the time I get back, both kids have helped themselves to breakfast and are dressed and ready to go. Erin is off to Goldau Zoo with a friend, and I drop her off at 11:00. She is very excited about the 'field trip'!

Pierce's friend Y. is coming over by bike for a bit of play and around 12:30, the three of us make our way to the Minigolf Villette in Cham, where Y.'s mom is waiting for us, with her daughter and a friend. While the four kids play a round (which Pierce won, so who knows, all those golfing lessons may be good for something ;-) the Moms enjoy a coffee and a chat in the sun.

The boys and I cycle back home, where I then finally get to do some ironing and other light housework (!), while the boys have another play session outside.

While I am typing this, Erin has just come back: completely k.o., ready for a shower and a snooze!

Beautiful Bike Ride

2011-04-15T12:15:00.008+02:00

Because it is so pretty out this time of year, here I go again with pictures. We did Horben this morning. Very cold on the way down ;-)

The Weinreben Chapel of Hunenberg (picture taken on an earlier ride)

Just left Sins which you can see in the distance, now entering the first of many forests on today's ride

On the top of Horben. And yes, the cows wear bells. The farm is a B&B, a very nice place to stay if you are ever in the area.

Just finished our steep and cold downhill. View to Horben, way in the distance.

And this is also where this darling little pig lives in someone's garden. He is still there, hasn't moved since last time we saw him.

Today we also stopped at a lovely little gift shop, called Lebend-Dig. Too cute a shop (something for you Geli, to satisfy your Interior Decorating need ;-). The place used to be a mill and has been completely renovated. Stunning. Neither E. or I were carrying our credit cards, so no shopping done, but we shall be back!

The First Michaelskreuz In 2011

2011-04-10T20:20:00.001+02:00

The weather continues to be absolutely stunning.

We are enjoying plenty of BBQ's and hours lounging on the balcony. Beautiful. Better enjoy it while it lasts, the forecast is rain for Tuesday.

I rode my first Michaelskreuz for this season this morning. None of my sweat sisters were available to join me, so it was just me, myself and I. And I am pleased to announce that it went well, better than I had hoped.

I mean, what could possible be wrong with these pictures:

View from the top of Michaelskreuz

Another two minutes and then I am home

The rest of the afternoon, Cian and I spent reading and relaxing, while the kids played outside. We played another round of 6 holes with the children and have just finished another BBQ.

Life is good ;-)

Erin's First Gymnastics Competition

2011-04-09T18:38:00.000+02:00

Erin had her first Gymnastics competition in Baar on Saturday.

A 7am wake up call meant an early rise. Erin is picked up by M. who will take her and two of her friends to the event at 7:30. We have a bit of work with Erin's hair, as it will need to stick for a couple of hours. Nothing a good old hairspray can't fix!

All the girls are very excited about showing their exercises in the following disciplines: Bar, Floor, Jump and Rings.

They had a great time, and Erin was very happy with ending top 29 out of 60 gymnasts! Next event: May 14th!

The presentation at the start

A very happy six pack

The Things You See

2011-03-25T12:51:00.003+01:00

Bike season has started. And we started with a vengeance! Me on my new bike of course.

An impression of the things we saw on our last couple of rides:

a lady jogging with two horses
bird of prey catching prey
a skull
Mr and Mrs stork in a tree
manure
a dead frog
a dog that wants to bite
border signs for canton Zurich, canton Zug and canton Aargau

And I won't even get into how beautiful and pretty Central Switzerland is.

Icehockey

2011-03-23T11:54:00.004+01:00

My dear friend and neighbour E. holds season tickets to EVZ Zug, the local ice hockey team.

They made the play offs, but so far had not been doing well. Last night was Game 4, it was all or nothing, and E. asked if Pierce and I liked to join her. Of course we like!

Zug got a new stadium this year, and Pierce and I had not seen it yet. Well, from the inside we had not, we drive passed the stadium often enough and have wondered what it would be like inside. Cian had said it's definitely worth a visit, he had a corporate event in the stadium not too long ago. So anyway, Pierce and I were looking forward to it!

Leaving the house in plenty of time, we pick up E. first and drive to town. Finding a parking space is easy and it then only talks a stroll across the road. E. has VIP entrance so there is no queuing for us! The first person we bump into is our old neighbour, and Daddy to Pierce's Kindergarten friend, Patrick Fischer. Patrick used to play for EVZ, among other teams, and now lives in Lugano, training the Junior Team there. It was very nice to see him again, however briefly haha.

Anyway, after a pre-match drink and chat, it is time to look up our seats and enjoy the game. EVZ loses 6-1 to HC Davos, they are out of the play off and can start focusing on next season.

Never mind all that: we had a great night!

Spring Has Arrived

2011-03-20T14:09:00.002+01:00

Winter is done. Well, I am certainly done with winter, but is winter done with us?

The tyres on the car will not be swapped for the summer version until the middle of April, as it is possible we'll get another wave of cold weather. There is still some frost in the air in the early morning. I am still wearing plastic bags around my feet when biking. And while running this morning I was happy I was wearing a hat and gloves. But I just won't buy that another wave of winter will be coming our way.

I have been out and about on my new mountain bike more than once already, still wrapped up warm but still, on my bike (and yes, I am DELIGHTED with my new bike, I LOVE IT!) The cleaners gave our balcony a thorough wash earlier in the week. It was much needed: building works next door are finally completed, so time to get rid of all that dust that came with that. Our ski gear has been moved to the cellar. All of it, except Cian's: he is off to La Plagne, France at the end of the week, for the last time this winter. Kids are playing outside ALL the time. The barbeque is about to be cleaned. Spring definitely is in the air.

Yesterday we spent the morning in the local Commune Hall, in preparation for Pierce's First Communion.
First, we were offered coffee and croissants at 08:45. Early, indeed, particularly for a Saturday morning when we are not skiing, but sometimes one just has to bite the bullet. Erin had Gymnastics Training from 09:00 until noon, so I guess in terms of planning, it all worked out pretty all right.

All Third Graders in our town, or at least those that are Catholic and want to receive First Communion, were there. They made small groups of about 8 children and their parents. The morning was spent with your group, and each group visited the various different 'atelier' (I guess you could call them 'stations'), that took about 25 minutes each. These 'stations' included Music (we sang songs with a pianist in Church, it was a lot of fun and my personal favorite), Arts&Crafts, Games and Reflection.

Everyone had brought something to eat, so a large buffet was setup in the big hall around noon, which finished off the morning. We got to talk to a lot of different people, and just the being together was a lot of fun. We really felt 'integrated' haha.

Pierce's Communion will be on May 1st, and his godparents Desiree and Zeppo will arrive here on April 27th. We very much look forward to them coming, it is wonderful that they are making the trip.

Comedy Night Zug

2011-03-17T13:53:00.000+01:00

The Husband and I went out last night.

Organised by Chuckles, the Comedy Club in Zug, we were off to the Casino in Zug for a night of British Stand Up Comedy.

Leaving the kids to their own devices (the sitter was only going to be able to make it to our house at 7:30pm), I hopped on the bus across the road, shortly before 7. Public transport runs like Swiss clockwork here, so I made the connection to the train and arrived at Cian's office about 20 minutes later. Indeed, one (and that's not me though) could do without a car here. Very convenient (and clean!) indeed.

Anyway. From the office we walk to the Casino, through Zug's Old Town. Very pretty a place indeed, but oh so quiet. Boring almost. Really, there is absolutely nothing to do in that part of town after dark.

The stand up comedians tonight were Colin Cole, Erich McElroy and Joe Rowntree.

A very funny night, if you want to see any of their work, google their names and check em out on YouTube.

Last Day Skiing

2011-03-12T17:15:00.002+01:00

Today was our last day skiing of this winter, so finally, time for a Maynard photo opp!

We had a great skiing winter and are now ready for spring! Temperatures are rising, and that is just what we like! Cian has another ski weekend planned with some friends from Luxembourg in La Plagne, France at the end of the month.

Off to the kitchen now: we have friends staying for the weekend, and a dinner party for 8 this evening! Yuhuu!

The King's Speech

2011-03-09T21:38:00.002+01:00

After the parade yesterday, I am rushing home to prepare a quick bite of dinner for the kids, who stay out for a bit more play. As if they need the exercise, but never you mind. I am in a bit of a rush indeed, as I am to meet my darling friend D. in Zug, for a bite to eat (Japanese) and a movie. The movie. Leaving the kids in front of the TV at 6 (yes), I am off. Hoping that Cian will remember to be home by 7:30, so that the two little monsters aren't home alone for too long. What kind of parents we are, hey?!

I saw it. Last night. The movie. And I must say, those Oscars are well deserved. I haven't seen Black Swan so I can not comment on Nathalie Portmann deserving hers, but I certainly think that Helena B.C. played her role George's wife very well indeed. She is a great actress, I loved her in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory too. Willy Wonka aka Johnny Depp. Fabulous.

And today was even better. Kids enjoying another day off and Cian deciding last night that he could work 'mobile' and 'wireless' from the top of any mountain, wearing skis, off we went for another fabulous day skiing. Two friends and their kids came as well, we jokingly said that Cian was enjoying a day out with his 'harem' and his five children lol

Carnival 2011 Hunenberg Parade

2011-03-08T20:56:00.002+01:00

A brief impression

Very common here, are the so-called 'Guggemusiger'. Bands that play modern songs in a 'cacophonic' way. Brilliant! I love that sound!

And last but not least, my friend E. being shoved through a Christmas Tree Packing Machine lol

Stuff

2011-03-07T09:32:00.002+01:00

Since coming back from our ski vacation, I have been sick twice! Grrrrrgh! After the kids and I returned home from our walk through the park, the bug hit me.

A couple of days of taking it easy, the kids were off from school anyway, and I would soon be back to my good, very old, self. I was. For about a week. And then the bug really hit me. I was in bed three days last week with one big, permanent headache, a cold, a sore throat, lots of muscle pain, and two humongous cold sores.

But, now I am back!

I spent Friday in beautiful flat-land Thurgau, the canton north-east of Zurich, bordering Lake Konstanz. A very different landscape than Central Switzerland, where you see mountain tops pretty much everywhere you look. Anyway, my visit to my dear friend N. was long overdue. She and her husband found their dream house in Thurgau, sold their beautiful house here in Buonas, and moved to Matzingen last month. It was wonderful to see N., we spent the morning chatting over coffee, enjoying the Thurgauer sunshine. Time went by way too quick, her girls came home from school and we had lunch together. I left shortly before two to be home in time for my two monsters to be home from school. A great day.

Saturday was cold and foggy but I am so desperate for some activity, I agree with P. and A. to go for a ride. Cold indeed. The fingertips and toes, everything else stayed nice and toasty. I even had ziploc bags around my feet but still: cold. A wonderful two hours though, very enjoyable.

Pierce has a birthday party to go to, and after a quick bite to eat, Erin and I go to Zug. We had friends over for a dinner a few weekends ago and we then noticed that our wine glass selection is getting a bit, well, un-organised? We need new prosecco glasses, and 're-stock' our white- and red-wine glasses selection. Erin of course has to browse H&M, and after a Starbucks coffee we go home.

As we pass the supermarket, we see Cian drive into the underground parking, and Erin wants to go grocery shopping with him. So I 'throw' her out of the car and continue my way home. One hour of peace and quiet.

The alarms goes off early on Sunday. We are off for another day of skiing. And boy, what a great decision that turns out to be! Nobody on the slopes (well, hardly anybody), great snow and superb weather! This is the life.

Kids are off school until Wednesday included: Fasnacht! Tomorrow they will join the parade: Kindergarten through Grade 4 will participate with school. I promise I will take plenty of pictures and will post them on Wednesday. You see, I manage expectations here already: I am off to the movies with a friend on Tuesday night.

Cian 40!

2011-02-16T10:06:00.002+01:00

My darling husband and the best father in the world turns 40 today! Happy Birthday!

Monday, Monday

2011-02-14T18:59:00.005+01:00

My Valentine morning: four kisses from Pierce! Made my day!

Suitcases unpacked, shopping done, fridge re-stocked with groceries, washing machine running, some laundry ironed, lunch made and eaten. Time to enjoy the outdoors:

And then time for a coffee and a snack, while reading today's paper:

Home

2011-02-12T20:17:00.003+01:00

We enjoyed a lovely last evening yesterday, with a glass of wine with Claudia and Markus to finish a fabulous week. It was indeed one of the best ski vacations we ever had!

A long lie in this morning and a relaxed breakfast before packing the car and checking out of our room. We spent the day in the hotel. We watched the World Championship Alpine Skiing Downhill in Garmisch Partenkirchen (just across the other side of the Zugspitze) on the TV in the hotel bar. We booked our room for 2012. The kids had a two hour swim 'n splash in the pool. Another one, indeed. We had a nice lunch. We read papers. And then we hit the road.

We left the hotel shortly after 2:30pm and drove the car, which, by the way, was packed with 24 bottles of Austrian red wine, up to our front door at 6:00pm on the dot. We just got take away pizza for dinner and are now watching a bit of TV.

The kids have another week school break, so a good opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep!

Pool At Night

2011-02-11T18:01:00.004+01:00

After dinner last night we had a couple of glasses of wine with our table neighbours Claudia and Markus, the parents of Lukas and Niklas. We see them here every year and the kids get on like a house on fire. Tonight we are invited for an after dinner glass of wine at their table.

It is cloudy this morning when I get up at 8. The first time this week that we see no blue sky! We have had a brilliant week so we are not complaining of course. The kids are skiing with us today and we are all looking forward to it. They are both very tired though and are coming down with a cold. We get going after a late breakfast and get out on the mountain at around 10:30. Two hours later we pretty much are all done and head back for lunch.

The kids are happy to stay at the hotel by themselves and as the snow is quite good, considering the warm weather this week, Cian and I go out on our skis for a little while longer. While in the gondola up the mountain, Erin calls. Could you she please go downstairs to the shop and get a bag of wine gums? Twenty minutes later, she calls again: when are we coming back? So much for wanting to stay 'home alone'.

Cian is still in the pool with the kids, but here are some pictures from last night's pool splash.

Race Day

2011-02-10T17:46:00.003+01:00

In previous years we bought from the hotel's wine cellar a red wine called 'Comanda'. Two years ago the 2004, last year the 2006. This year we could not find the Comanda on the wine list and we mentioned it to the hotel director who was at the wine tasting on Tuesday night. He mentioned he thought he had a couple of bottles somewhere, and that he would look. He did ask for our table number so we were quietly hoping he would pull a bottle out of a bag somewhere. Well, last night when we got to our table, there was a bottle waiting for us: a 2007 Comanda from his own private collection. A gift. For us. And it was delicious! We managed to save about one glass each for us to drink this evening.

Today was race day for the kids! It is a high light of the ski week every year, and all kids look forward to it. Everyone earns a medal, there are always lots of people watching, and there is a professional photographer as well. Pierce came third in his group, the speed group lol, and he was very pleased with that result. Most kids in his group are three to four years older, so he is really doing very well. Erin, this year in group 7 so two groups higher than last year, came 8 out of 11. Not bad, especially considering she was not only the youngest in her group by far, but apart from Evi she was the only girl! Erin though was not very happy with the result. Ah, do we sense a tiny wee bit of ambition in that little girl there then after all?!?! All I was thinking: wait until the Gymnastics competition events start in three weeks, that is for real!

Super G Girl

Pierce and Erin said goodbye to their teachers Rainer and Franz today. Although tomorrow is another ski-class day, they will not go as we will spend the day skiing together. Earlier on Pierce said he is missing Rainer and his ski-class friends already. Sweet.

Kids are now in the kids club playing with their friends from the hotel (plenty of them here) and will go for a swim with Cian before dinner.

Looking forward to that glass of red wine that is waiting for me at the dinner table!

Jause & Wine

2011-02-09T18:23:00.000+01:00

I was wrong by the way about the not-going-swimming-because-they'll-be-too-hungry theory, yesterday. While I was in the bar writing that blog, the kids had gone upstairs, thrown off their clothes and took Cian to the pool. Then back up to the room, change and play soccer in the indoor gym hall here at the hotel. By the time we had dinner, it was 8pm.

I always start my mornings here with a nice latte macchiato. The hotel still very quiet, my darling family still fast asleep, I quietly slip downstairs, push the button of the coffee machine and presto: delicious. One of the things I am going to miss when I am home next week. Although, come to think of it, no need to do it at home also.

This week I am also enjoying some delicious after-lunch-desserts-that-you-don't-really-need-and should-not-really-eat. But they are so scrumptious: caramel mousse, or passionfruit&chocolate mousse with fresh peaches. Irresistible!

Kids had some technical ski training today. We saw Erin and her group skiing down without their sticks, doing balancing exercises. Something I could do with, really. Pierce and his class practiced for tomorrow's race: their teacher put out a little circuit and timed all kids on their runs. Pretty serious stuff, but both of them absolutely love their ski classes this week.

Last night's wine tasting was very enjoyable. The hotel's wine cellar is quite something, and is located downstairs from the wine lounge. It is all within the hotel's complex, very conveniently located: no need for coats, or worse, to use to car to get there. Plus, we can easily leave the kids asleep in the room.

The wines we tried were from different countries: Austria, Hungary (!), Italy, Spain, France. and one other one, but I forgot. A couple of smaragd wines were on offer, which I thought stood out. My favorite though was a red wine called '1780', from Spain. The whole Austrian wine culture has come a long way since the 1985 wine scandal, where some Austrian wine growers had put anti-freeze in their bottles! To date, the Austrian wine laws are among the strictest in the world: anything not covered by the current law, it is outright forbidden. We love the Austrian wines, their white wines are from the highest quality, and we always leave this hotel with plenty of bottles for our own little wine cellar at home!

We usually finish our afternoon ski-session shortly before 4pm, and make our way to the hotel to wait for the kids who are taken back from ski school by the hotel bus. This is the time to have the daily 'jause', or four-o-clock-snack. We don't bother with getting changed, or washed, no, we drop our gear on a chair somewhere and dive into the cakes and teas and coffees and sandwiches and ice creams. Just what the doctor ordered after a long day of skiing. It certainly ties us over until dinner, and gives the kids an energy boost for a serious swimming marathon. Yes, they are in the pool again, due to get back to the room any minute, ready for dinner!

Jause Time!

More Sun & Fun

2011-02-08T18:16:00.005+01:00

As I write this, Cian is on a conference call in our room and the kids are playing in the kids club. They had planned to go for a swim but I doubt that'll happen tonight. My guess is that in the next half hour everyone will be too hungry.

Another fabulous sunny ski day today. Despite the warm temperatures, the snow is holding up well, and the slopes still are in good nick. The area needs a new drop of snow though, as the season is long but over, but small chance we'll get that this week. No need for us, we'll be fine until the end of the week.

Another high light in my day today was my 20 minute nap on our little balcony. Very small indeed, it just fits two small loungers but has the greatest of views over the Zugspitze.

The world championships alpine skiing in Garmisch Partenkirchen started yesterday, that is less than 40 kilometers away from here. Austria had its first gold medal in the Women's Super G! The Austrians know how to ski, we saw that today here in Lermoos, where a local school class had a day out on the slopes. These kids are born in skis I think!

Tonight after the kids are gone to bed, Cian and I will attend a wine tasting in the hotel's wine cellar. Looking forward to that, but first there's Wiener Schnitzel on the menu tonight, with an ice cream buffet as dessert!

Erin and her friend Evi, who is in her ski-class and who looks after Erin like a big sister! Very sweet!

Loads Of Skiing

2011-02-07T22:13:00.004+01:00

Another helicopter landed on the slopes today. We seem to experience this every year, luckily it is not coming here to pick up one of us. This time a lady got lost in the woods, she fell and broke an arm. A huge bit of entertainment for the kids of course, the heli landed just next to one of the stations towards to end of the afternoon lesson. That timing could not have been more perfect!

Cian and I also were reminded again today that we are quite a nice set of parents. I mean, compared to other #$%^ moms and dads that are out there, we are pretty cool. We met quite the arrogant bunch today, Oh My Dear God. Too long a story to tell here but believe me when I say that this lot was quite the limit. And it does not promise much for their children, the poor lot: sad really, horrible children that are attention seeking all round because they don't get it from mom and dad.

Yesterday for example, a kid in Pierce's ski class fell on his head. His family is also staying in our hotel and when Cian and I came back from skiing in the afternoon, the boy was waiting in the hotel lobby. The hotel could not reach the parents on the phone, which in itself is incredible: parents are to leave their contact phone numbers behind so the hotel can call them in case of an emergency. Well, now the kid needs his parents and they are not answering their phone! Anyway, this boy is waiting in the lobby and we feel kind of sorry for him and take him to the ski storage area to help him take off his helmet, ski boots and ski pants. By the time we take him back to the lobby, his parents still haven't replied to messages! Cian then takes the boy to the hotel's kids club, for him to wait there for his parents. Apparently, this morning he still had a headache but the parents insisted he'd go skiing: they put him in Group 7 (Erin's group), where the ski teacher then said at lunchtime that the boy be better off not skiing at all. So the parents put them in the kids club again in the afternoon!

And it this father who was making a huge sung and dance at the ski meeting point about his child having 'to wait' for the teacher! Arghhhh!

Anyway. Our kiddies are going well in their respective ski class. Pierce is going strong as expected, getting slalom technique training but they are also taught self judgement: can I take this bend and can I jump this hilll. Pretty cool stuff really. Erin our little Super G-girl, has made huge steps in the two days she's had ski class now. We briefly spoke to the teacher today and he said she really is putting in the effort, and at times she really has 'to work hard', but as long as she enjoys it, she can stay in his class. Well, she certainly enjoys ski class now: she has made friends with Evie, a 12-year old Dutch girl. Very sweet indeed!

Cian and I had two full sessions today, before and after lunch. The weather is absolutely stunning at the moment, with quite high temperatures. Shorts and t-shirts weather (well, almost). Despite the high temperatures, they manage to keep the snow in good shape. The forecast is for another sunny day tomorrow, and some fresh snow on Wednesday. We'll see what happens, whatever the weather, we'll have plenty of skiing planned!

The hotel organised a cosmetic evening in their wine lounge this evening. I went there at 6pm and was offered a glass of champagne, nice company and a free make up. A very nice 'pre dinner happy hour'!

I'll try and get some more pictures taken tomorrow!

Sunshine In Tyrol

2011-02-06T18:42:00.001+01:00

What a day!

It starts with everyone getting out of bed without complaining how early it is! That is a first, not for me, but for the rest of this family that considers having sleep ins should be everyone's hobby.

After breakfast we all get ready and Cian joins the kids in the hotel bus to the ski school. Here all children have to show their skiing abilities and they get allocated the teacher for the week based on how they do. Because in previous years Erin has used this opportunity to show as little as possible, in order to be put in a beginners group (because that would give her an easy week ;-) Cian goes with her to make sure she pulls out all stops. And it works. She gets allocated in Group 7 (out of 8 groups) and this way jumps two groups in one year. Well done Erin! Pierce is in Group 8 and has the same ski teacher as last year: Rainer.

Spot the boy in red: Pierce going off piste with his ski group. It doesn't look like much maybe, but the paths are narrow and full of bends. Crazy.

After lunch Cian and I only had an hour of skiing: the old legs couldn't hold anymore lol. Kids came back at 4pm, both enthusiastic and very happy with their respective ski teacher, the kids in their group and the fun they had.

They are off in the pool now, hopefully they'll be back shortly as I am very hungry and look forward to dinner this evening!

Zug - Tyrol

2011-02-05T21:11:00.004+01:00

We put the ski box on the roof last night already, so this morning we only need to load the suitcases in the car. We allow ourselves a 'lie-in' until twenty past seven, and at exactly 8am we drive off. First stop: the bakery. Naturally. Now we are really ready to go.

We have zero traffic until the final 25 kilometers. All the cars have come to a standstill. The last twenty minutes take just over an hour. Ouch.

Arrival time is close to 12:30, and as our room is not ready yet, we have a bite of lunch and read the papers, while the kids go downstairs to the kids area.

After getting our luggage out of the car and into the room, Cian takes the kids for a swim, while I enjoy a bit of sunshine on the terrace, until she disappears behind the mountain. But no worries, I move to the central lobby area of the hotel, and find myself a first class seat, with lap top at hand. From here, I can watch everything and everyone, am fiddling on the web and have a drink at the same time. Top class! Oh, and I also organise our ski-passes and sign up the kids for ski-class, starting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Erin has made a friend in the pool, her name is Gretchen (well, as it turns out her name is Rachel, but Erin calls her Gretchen) and Pierce has found the brothers Lukas and Nicholas, his friends from the past two years.

Dinner this evening is an Italian Buffet. Delicious. We have Vitello Tonnato, small Pizzas, Minestrone, Lamm, Veal, Risotto, Shrimp, Mussels, Red Bass, more fish, Tiramisu, Icecream and plenty of wine. We are officially stuffed and ignore the fact that the waiter continues to call Cian a 'young man'. Oh well.

*Note to self for 2012: to avoid any traffic jams in Imst-Nassenreith we should leave the house at 7am*

Countdown!

2011-02-03T09:22:00.002+01:00

Not much to report from the Maynards other than we are counting the (school) days until our ski trip. I will post regularly from Tyrol, Austria, promise. Back to organising life & stuff first.

Bad Combination

2011-01-18T21:56:00.005+01:00

White jeans + Red wine = Bad choice.

That party on Saturday night? It is after midnight when my white jeans collide with a full glass of red wine. And I am the designated driver tonight, and only had two glasses of prosecco earlier in the evening. And I manage to get into a red wine incident? Not a happy bunny, me. After a couple of minutes of silent swearing and throwing tons of salt and mineral water on my legs (I was told it helps) I decided to not let it ruin my night.

On Sunday morning, before getting on my bike, I decided to check out the online store of my favorite clothing shop. And presto! Not only did I find my jeans, in my size, but I manage to get it on sale, and delivered to me by mail, for free. Said item arrived in the post today!

Who says you can't get good deals in this country?