Sunday 30 September 2012

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Whilst I was running this morning, John's been off on his bicycle again. We never have any idea where he's gone until he tweets us a photo and approximate location. Today it was Gutighausen by the River Thur.

Saturday 29 September 2012

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Today was 'football tournament' day - from 9 until 4, in three mini leagues. And it poured.
This picture does not do justice to how completely soaking wet everyone became, nor to the muddy and slippery conditions that were increasingly faced.
However, the ISW MYP football team were amazing: in triumph and defeat, with rain dripping down their faces and their kits plastered to their shivering bodies, they worked as a team, supporting one another and showing great sportsmanship. Well done ISW Eagles!

Friday 28 September 2012

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Today's 'new Swiss experience' was visiting TopCC, the cash and carry, in search of provisions for the snack stand at the ISW football tournament tomorrow. Thanks Krislyn - that was fun!

Thursday 27 September 2012

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This amused me today. Student food? When I was a student we ate baked beans...

Wednesday 26 September 2012

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Today is traffic light polishing day in Oberwinterthur. Two men on step ladders with pink dusters are currently making the lights outside Bahnhof Oberwinterthur all shiny and clean.
Sometimes life in Switzerland makes me smile :0)

Tuesday 25 September 2012

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Part 2 of the 'Boys' adventures without Mummy' took place at the FliegerFlab where there was an open day. Having seen the Tante Ju when I ran the Dübendorflauf, this time they got to look more closely and see inside the museum.
Great photograph by John!

Monday 24 September 2012

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Whilst I was in the UK last week, the boys and John had great fun. Friday night was Late Night Winti when all the shops stayed open until 11pm and there were various attractions - fire eaters, competitions and these alpaca. Jude was rather taken with them.

Sunday 23 September 2012

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I've just taken a look at my updated-to-iOS6-iPad and it's perfectly true - Apple do seem to have 'stolen' the SBB clock! Imitation is the highest form of flattery, but as the Swiss have said, we don't mind you copying it but you'll have to pay!

Saturday 22 September 2012

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Not many places you get to play - and watch - football surrounded by an airstrip (for light aircraft), fields of corn on the cob, and sheep.

Friday 21 September 2012

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Congratulations and Herzlichen Glückwunsch to my neighbours who got married today. Not often you've had your first glass of Prosecco by 10.15am!

Thursday 20 September 2012

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It's 8:11 and this is the scene in Eulachpark. Heaven only knows what time they started as the whole riverbank is freshly mown. That's Swiss efficiency for you!!

Wednesday 19 September 2012

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Having lived here nearly a year, I've finally got myself organized and got my Swiss driving license. Not that I have a car or even intend to drive but it needed doing. The 'year' thing is key as within the first year you can swap your existing license for a Swiss one by simply having an eye test, filling in a form and parting with 40CHF. Leave it longer than a year though, and you need to do the driving test. Yikes!
Anyway, mine arrives today - after a minor hiccup the other day when I got a letter asking me to undergo a medical so I could drive HGV vehicles. A kind person had decided to apply for ALL the categories on the license not just the car that I'd ticked.
Wonder if I will actually use it??

Tuesday 18 September 2012

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It's autumn! Conkers and acorns are falling. Soon be Marroni time :0)

Monday 17 September 2012

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Happy Jewish New Year to the Frenkels and thank you for the delicious food at Worldfest yesterday!

Sunday 16 September 2012

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I experienced my first ISW Worldfest today - it was great! Celebrating all the nations represented by the ISW families, we are food from all over the world and enjoyed the sunshine. I spent the afternoon speaking Spanish and handing out sweets so I was happy and very popular!

Saturday 15 September 2012

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Last day in the UK and my nephew's birthday party. Lots of singing Row row the boat and eating chocolate :0)

Friday 14 September 2012

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I love rivers. This one's in Wetherby, Yorkshire but there are plenty in Switzerland too.

Thursday 13 September 2012

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TipTopSwiss is 'on tour' for the next three days! I'm off to Harrogate to lead a workshop on iPads in Language learning and I'll be taking the opportunity to pop 'home' to see my family on the way home.
I flew via Amsterdam and was delighted to see Miffy or Nijntje as she is called in the Netherlands.
I was so tempted by those fluffy clogs....

Wednesday 12 September 2012

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Thank you to John for today's picture. His caption -
"The train leaving Gleis 8 is very old!'

Tuesday 11 September 2012

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My kind next door neighbours Hope has passed on her copy of Swiss News to me. Looking forward to reading it later, especially the articles about Marcel Hug (paralympian) and the Swiss Olympic triathlon team.

Monday 10 September 2012

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There was a panpipes convention in Winterthur this weekend and this is the local Bäckerei's homage to it. Very inventive!

Sunday 9 September 2012

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Sunday morning run towards Seen and then into the woods via Eschenberg, Bruderhaus and Stadt.

Saturday 8 September 2012

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Stein am Rhein is soo beautiful! There are so many photographs I could have chosen for today but I chose this one as it features my boys and the lovely painted buildings and a fountain.

Friday 7 September 2012

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Out of the loggia window, a horse and carriage. I haven't seen this one before.

Thursday 6 September 2012

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A sunflower today. It's a beautiful day and I was listening to an interview with one of the WI Calendar Girls on the radio this morning so it's doubly appropriate!

Wednesday 5 September 2012

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At the station. This afternoon's meeting was cancelled and I am 'childless' with the boys on camp so off to Glatt I go!

Tuesday 4 September 2012

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One of my favourite runs is here to Wülfflingen and back. The only problem (apart from the steep hill and the smell of manure!) is that I always seem to arrive at the level crossing as it's closing. A welcome rest but it breaks my stride, the train always takes ages to arrive and stopping and starting is a pain!

Monday 3 September 2012

Sunday 2 September 2012

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Sunday morning and a trip to Rapperswil to sample some micro brewed beer at Schloss Rapperswil.
Very pleasant - lovely scenery and tasty beer as well as sunshine!

Saturday 1 September 2012

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Out running today - great to be getting back into the swing of it after being ill.