kramgasse trough mit blumen

a florist on kramgasse had decorated the trough with flowers.

G checked on the bear cubs, berna & urs, at barenpark.

La Neuveville, Bern, Switzerland

we docked at La Neuveville on Lac de Bienne, and stopped for dinner.
The town is another charming surprise for me; we never would have stumbled on it without Urs & Pascale.

G's new BFF!

Anna was so sweet with G.

boating: lac de bienne & lac de neuchatel

Urs, Pascale, & Anna took us boating on Lac de Bienne & Lac de Neuchatel. G adores the family.

After bonding over chippies and chasing pigeons in Neuchatel, G is especially enchanted with Anna.
But the chippies are a rare treat!

Summer Break

Mallorca - our extra guest "John"

we found John at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve summer 2008.

G has now rejected John in favor of the i-pad....

Palma - Mallorca - Spain

Mallorca - Balearic Islands - Spain

Erlebnishof Hatti farm/ Aeschi bei Spiez (British School field trip)

G's class visit to a local farm was sweet. I actually really enjoyed it.

G was a bit scared by the animals - even the bunnies. great play areas and none of the uptight feel of places in the US. (for example no e coli lecture or safety instructions...although not even a suggestion the kids should wash hands after the petting/"caressing" of the animals.)

why "caress" animals when you can SWING!
Bonito was a patient pony.
G almost smiled by the end of her "ride".

oh and and it sounds silly, but I'm so glad we both had boots. we basically walked through bunny areas, horse stalls, and an area housing sheep, goats, pigs and chickens and their waste. (that was the area where G continued to say "Ughh!, UGGHH!, ughh!" as we walked around.) one kid, Felix I think, was wearing sandals with socks. Ughh!, UGGHH!, ughh!

just starting to explore the bike paths.....

I'm very happy to have the velo-kindersitze, but it's surprisingly heavy uphill. and Berne has a lot of hills.

Rosegarten - Berne

the Rosegarten has a lovely view of the Aare and old Berne.

Marzili pools & Marzilibahn funicular

gigi was deep in the mode of listing things she enjoys, coloring, playing with toys, riding my scooter, not doing whatever you're dragging me to do today....but the sight of the of the cute little funicular rail car perked her up.
we had a quick ride down to the Aare & the swimming area.
saw many scantily clad Bernese families enjoying the sun. there is a nude sunbathing area that we missed, but apparently all swimwear is optional for tots.
and back up to the Bundeshaus for another go at the fountains. she knows the pattern now, so it's all less amazing.

The British School Spring Concert 2010

Gigi was very excited about the performance. we even had a special guest, Will, visiting from the US.

Mrs. Brunner's class performed On The Farm. Gigi's role was pig #1. I'm sure this event qualifies as off the beaten track for a tourist in Switzerland.

excellent job by all!

(and to compensate the captive guest audience, Stacey bought dinner afterward.)

gigi's trek to the British School of Berne : part 3

the grounds have a nice play area - and obligatory Swiss rope course!
lots of books and familiar activities in the class room.....
and - perhaps because of the rainy weather - kids change into slippers for indoor activities.

gigi's trek to the British School of Berne : part 2

Gigi checks for her school snack on the tram....
once in Gümligen we pass a nursery on the way to school. and lots of snails.
the clock tower lets us loudly know if we're on-time...school starts at 9:00. promtly.
the facade looks imposing, but it's a very small school on a very nice estate.

gigi's trek to the British School of Berne : part 1

kissing mom goodbye - usually this would be Daddy.
elevator ride to the street....
and catch the next tram to school!

(S put this together for G's former classmates at KBH.

I thought it was very sweet....)

part 1