Long Weekend Away

Matt had a couple of days holiday to take before the end of the year.  That's all very well but he is away most of December and then we go to England. So that left November.  November is not a great time to go away.  Weather, nothing open due to a "non" season, so I decided that we needed a total package deal and a Kinderhotel was the way to go.  Most are shut due to waiting for the ski season but I found one which was open and proved to be a great place.

Perched on a wooded hill overlooking Salzburg we found the Neubichler Alm.  A Perfect place for a 4 day relax.

We started on Friday lunchtime when the kinders and I took the s-bahn and then the BOB train down to Shaflach for Thomas's birthday party. Well the whole going on the train was excitement in itself and then the party and then Matt picked us up to travel down.

Going for a stroll the day after we arrived

We had such a relaxing time.  The children were so excited when we arrived and slept in bunk beds.  From 10 in the morning the children did something in the kids club.  Well as it is totally off peak season there were not a lot of kids - two to be precise!  But they went and fed the animals and then played in the super kids club in the basement and did arty things and played with the great toys.

Matt and I did a lot of reading.  We went for a couple of strolls but it was perfect weather for lounging about.

One of the best things was that Katie had three half hour swimming lessons which was great as her only fear has been swimming out of her depth.  Well the pool was all out of her depth so that was good and the instructor was great and she can now do really good breast stroke with an aid and can swim with a noodle like a horse too.  She was great.

One morning they also did pony riding as the hotel had stables.  They loved it even though Alex fell off due to being practically asleep!

Showing us the tree face painting they did

Pony Riding

Alex falling asleep

Feeding the animals

Feeding the sheep

Playing

The climbing wall

Alex being a good spotter

Drinking gluhwein at Salzburg Christmas Market

And watching the train

So all in all a very restful time and the children had great fun and were looked after too.

Successful Clothes Shopping

I had a wonderful shopping experience today!  I am so excited by this that I felt I should write about it.

Last weekend was our twelfth wedding anniversary but we were too tired and grumpy to properly celebrate and we didn't have a babysitter so we decided to go out tonight instead.  It was only yesterday morning that I woke up with the realisation that I had NOTHING to wear!  Well nothing that I could wear out to a posh place for dinner in the autumn, ( I have nice-ish summer stuff).

I hate clothes shopping for myself and my wardrobe is really rather dull and small (the contents that it not the actual wardrobe which is quite big), so I got my shopping head on and headed off to the PEP shopping centre in search of an outfit.

It was quite amazing! I was there at 9.30 on the dot (opening time) and I went into Street One first, only as it was the first shop I came to other than C&A.  So I'm there looking about and I'm the only one in there. It's quite a small shop and the sales woman came up to me and asked if she could help.  Well indeed she could!   After telling her my mission and the only piece of attire I had was long black boots, she searched through and found stuff and um -ed and ah-ed and all I was thinking was, shouldn't I just try some things on? Eventually I did and she was great and it felt such a Trinny and Susannah time in there. In fact it felt very boutique-y as I was the only one in there as it was early.  I don't think Street One is boutique-y though, is it?

So in the end I got a tunic-y thing to go over "legging-hose" (Which are thick legging things basically - my first ever pair!)  Anyway they are a SIZE 8 (34!)  I have NEVER had a size 8!!! I said they may be a bit tight but she wouldn't let me try on the bigger size!  OK, then under the tunic-y thing, red t-shirt, and then a flappy black cardi for on top which I can be a bat or a witch in!  I was quite impressed by it all and was very excited that the first shop I went into I came out with an outfit!

But in my enthusiasm for more clothes I continued a bit and went into Cecil which I quite like and bought 2 more tops, at 20% off for today only. Then I went into Whörl and the Street One section there had another nice top so had to buy that and someone had left a cardi in the changing rooms and that was cool too!

So I have two floaty cardi's, 3 tops, a tunic and legging hose!  Unbelievable.  And the customer service my the lovely lady sales people was great. Still overwhelmed by my new clothes. (And the customer service!)

So when I get dressed up I'll take a picture and put it on.

Better organise children now before I do me and we GO OUT!!!

And looking at these photos I realise I look EXACTLY LIKE MY MOTHER!

REALLY . . . .


OK so I actually think the clothes mum wears are quite nice but I'm well on that rocky road - but her trousers - sorry leggings-hose would be a few sizers larger!

Anyway we just got back from a lovely meal out and now am going to bed.

Just to add - we went into TOWN to the posh French restuarant where I had scallops followed by monkfish and then we shared a mixed pudding platter as we couldn't decide what to have.  It was fab, but so many of the people eating in the posh restaurant were wearing jeans!  Not too much dressing up by some people at all!

Normal Life Resumes

Our visitors continued with a very easy and low maintenance visit from Nikki, Rik and Finlay a couple of weeks ago.  I would post some photos but have none as the big camera is in for some costly repair to the lens . . . .   On the plus side I splashed out and bought myself another small camera - shock and waterproof.  Hope it survives.

Anyhow, we had a lovely four days with the Buckley's and even though the forecast was glorious sunshine, the pesky fog wouldn't lift.  We had to go all the way up a mountain to find the sun again.  Went to Playmobil Funpark too which was a huge hit even though Fin fell in the water.

In the sun at Ellmau

Going back into the gloom

We have also had some snow. Quite wet snow but quite a lot of it.  And the weight of it broke the flimsy branches off the tree int he garden and all the bamboo which needed cutting back anyway.  It was fun for the couple of days it lasted but was way too early as the leaves hadn't yet been cleared from the roads!  In fact it is probably German law that all the leaves must have fallen and been swept before the snow comes!

Fun in the snow

So, since all our guests have left we have had a couple of quietish weekends catching up with stuff.  We have done a few strolls - this is across the road from where we live - Alex is making his silly face!

We also cycled to the beer garden last weekend with Magda and Nigel.  It was glorious in the sun but the beer garden was shut and so we had to get food from the main restaurant.  Eventually they opened up the beer kiosk as there were too many people queueing for beer inside!

Katie has started staying for lunch at Kindergarten as she thinks it will help her German.  So forward thinking!  She's really enjoying it and so I pick her up at 2pm instead of 12.15.  She is also not so tired as she has had lunch and had some quiet time so is raring to go again which makes getting home easier.  

This was today after pickup with William and Freya and Alex on the lion outside Kindergarten before we went to eh playground.

Alex fell asleep in the Chariot on the way home at 4.30.  It's now 9.30 and he hasn't really woken up except to put his pyjamas on. Wonder if he'll stay asleep all night? Hmmm . . . . .

Oh and the cat still hasn't used her cat house.

Busy busy

It has been a very busy few weeks.  We got back into the swing of normal life with kindergarten and Little Ducklings for Alex and then Oktoberfest starts.  Katie had been going on about Oktoberfest since September the first.  The girl knows how to live!  We haven't had many visitors over the years for Oktoberfest.  Well not as many as we could have but this year we were full and the funny thing was, was that none of them came specifically for Oktoberfest! 

First of all we had Jon and Rachel for a week. We went to family day at Oktoberfest on Tuesday and met up with Catherine and so Katie had Millie to get excited with and Alex loves Thomas.  The weather was great but it was so busy,  busier than usual I'm sure. A fun day was had by all but usual getting home took forever as for some reason there were three cancelled s-bahns in a row.  Always a nightmare travelling when the Oktoberfest is on. 

We also went down to Scheffau and took the Gondola up to the top where there is a fun play area.  Had lunch up there and then went up the funicular train at Ellmau.  A fun day was had by all.

On the fun swing thing

And the go-karts

On a ride with Millie at Oktoberfest

How excited?

fun

Katie on the Rund um Tegernsee - a very fast ride for a small lion

A heart is a must

And this was quickly scoffed when the rascal woke up!

And a very expensive bit of helium

Then after Jon, Rachel and Jake left we had a couple of days to clean the house for Helen, Emily and Rosie to visit.  They were here for a week and we had a lovely time.  We got it all sorted so we could all go out on bikes.  Rosie and Emily in the Chariot, Alex on a bike seat and Katie on her bike but with the trail gator for the way home!  (on an aside, now Katie is on a bigger bike, it fit better on the trail gator with the brake still in place.  I made Matt put the brake back on her small bike as she was losing confidence.  Well you would wouldn't you with only a back pedal brake . . . ) 

I digressed . . . .

We also went to Oktoberfest and had another fun time but also a long time getting home - this time on the u-bahn but he s-bahn was fine! Very exhausting. We cycled to the beer garden to several playgrounds and also went swimming on a wet Sunday morning.  We had a good time.  Since they went home on Tuesday we have been having a relaxing time.  Katie has been shattered with all the visitors and so we have have had a quiet rest of the week and Alex has caught the cough from Helen and Rosie. Oh well. 

On the return from cycling to the Pirate Ship playground.  Two out of four asleep.

At the end of a fun day. Katie has a corn on the cob in case anyone was wondering!

And now autumn has truly set in and we have had a lovely housey weekend doing outside clearing up jobs.  It was nice weather and this morning we went for a nice stroll across the fields over the road to the woods.  A small cat followed us the whole way.  Nicer than our cats . . .

Playing in the leaves today with neighbours Anna and Max

Talking of cats . . . . .

This is the new cat house for outside.  It's massive!  As the weather is getting colder I was thinking that we ought to get a house for Jess as the basket is not going to be warm enough soon. I was prepared to buy one but once Matt saw the one I fancied, he was horrified enough to make one himself.  I think he was getting Lack of DIY Syndrome, so for an awful of more money in the end and a lot of time, he made this house.  Oh and a Jigsaw and new electric screwdriver too.  I think we could have made it 10cm small each way as it could house a huge family of cats but it is insulated and the door doesn't just go straight in, there is a corridor and another door at the end to get into the main house.  I put some hay in it and stripped the heads of all the screws trying to unscrew the lid . . .  And does she go in it?  No! Well not yet anyway. Tomorrow the forecast is wet and cold so maybe.  I have put her in it and she ran out through the door which is better than jumping over the top. I put her food in it today too.  Hope she does use it if she won't come inside.  Would make a nice hedgehog house if not!

Prague

A couple of weekends ago we popped up to Prague to visit Lolov and Basia and baby Olivia.  Well we didn't just pop, we took a long roundabout way as in avoiding one major lot of traffic we stumbled into another and then had to do a major diversion due to other roadworks.  Took a bit longer than we imagined but not too bad.

Lolov has worked with Matt since we came to Munich in September 2000 (that was 12 years ago! Heck!) and since then he married the lovely Basia who is Polish but not as mad as Magda who is also Polish.  Magda and Nigel were planning on a big cycle trip to Prague and meet us there.  Unfortunately Magda had a huge accident on her bike the week before and was knocked out receiving 14 stitches in her head.  That's what sunglasses do to you.

Anyway, I digress.   The last time Matt and I were in Prague was for our first wedding anniversary and in November it is much quieter than the beginning of September.  This time we took the metro to the centre and fairly marched through the square avoiding all the tourists and the set up for the Prague Marathon.  Actually the whole of the main city was busy.  Not really a great thing with children, or me really.  We had a bite of lunch by the river and took a boat trip which is quite nice.  Then we pushed through the masses on the Charles Bridge and dropped Matt and the children off at the playground while Nigel, Magda and I climbed up to the castle.  A bit of a mad day but very nice and the children were great.

Sunday we went to a quieter nice park area for a stroll and lunch with some former work colleagues of Matt's who I knew.  It was all very pleasant and then we came home.  A quick trip!

Lolov and Basia's

Walking by the river. Alex loves Nigel!

Boat trip

Waving to the boats that have already gone passed!

Playing

Back to Civilized Sleeping Arrangments

myWe had made an arrangement to visit Kate, Andre, Thomas and Max van Schuijlenburg in Ljubljana from Thursday afternoon until the Sunday.  Actually Kate was the reason we went to Slovenia in the first place.  We met them in St Petersburg and then they went to Romania and now they are in Slovenia.  I immediately thought that that was a good opportunity to visit so proceeded with holiday plans.

Anyhow, we had one night to kill and wanted to move on but didn't want to camp for one night as it is too much faff with children. Too much faff anyway really.  Kate had suggested going to Velika Planina which is an alpine pasture with traditional herdsmens settlement.  We arrived in Kamnik, the nearest town and very pretty and as it was so hot we decided to head straight up the mountain that afternoon to escape the heat.   A steep cable car ride and then a chair lift took us to the top and it was absolutely lovely. Of course we didn't actually get to walk to the settlement itself as it was a 15 minute waslk which could have been a long time with smallies and we were just appreciating the slightly cooler air.  Katie was particularly enjoying climbing on the rocks and exploring.  We didn't have a lot of energy and just played at the top but it looked a great place for exploring on foot or bike.

On the chairlift

Looking out at the view

Playing with rocks.

Velika Plania herdmans huts.

Eventually we came down and went to find somewhere to stay which was a jolly nice hotel in Kamnik.  We had a set meal and then went to bed nice and early - no change from camping then!  But very comfy alhtough the a/c was stuggling.


Good job we weren't camping as we would have had to race to get packed up before a big storm came over the next morning.  The teperature dropped a little which was pleasent and we were pleased we had gone up the mountian the previous day.  So my idea of a stroll round Kamnik and coffee in the mornign before heading down to the van Schuijlenburg's was not to be due to pants weather so we went to Atlantis Water Park.  As we were in the land of dragins we didn't really know where we were going and only had the address from Lonely Planet and our 1:300,000 map.  Amazingly we did find it without too much problem and paid for a 4 hour stint in the kids Adventure World part which was absolutely fab.  We had lunch there too but on the last whizz down the big slide with Alex I went and slipped sideways tight at the bottom and I blimmin clouted my head on the side and felt my brains shake somewhat.  Felt awful all afternoon like I'd been drinking at lunchtime. . .


Anyhow, when we came out, the wether had cleared and it was hot as hoot again. Found Kate and Andre's house and Katie had a lovely time playing with Thomas and Max the big boys while I had a lie down.

Next day we did Ljubljana.  We are not city people but Ljubljana is great as it is so small it can be donw in a day if you want!  Perfect in 36°C. We hit it early, strolled about,went up the funicular to the castle,  went on a boat, saw two otters and then had lunch by which time I was beginning to melt so we then escped to the city forest and the playground under the trees.

First thing inthe city

the lock bridge

My two new favourite people

otter spotting

Add caption funny hanging shoes

Next day, the zoo. What a cute little zoo inthe trees so lots of shade.  Big cats and chimps not in nice areas but the rest was ok and the playground was fab.  Ncie elephant. In the afternoon we went to a gorge and had a lovely play in the water. The drive there was nice too and we saw more countryside just south of the city.  Then went for dinner afterwards at a lovely gostilna where Kate and I shared a very expensive but freshly caught by diving John Dory fish. We misunderstood the price but it was worth it!

focus went on manual which is a shame as this was fun

The elephant

swimming at the gorge

gorge

A good end to a great a holiday

Click HERE for more photos.

So, in a nutshell:

Slovenia is great and I'd like to go again and see more.  It's such a small country that there are no great travelling distances.  We only touched it though and there is a lot more to see. There is some good Slovenian wine that needs tasting.  We only had a sample at Kate and Andre's.  I'd love to hike and bike there.

Rough Guide is better than Lonely Planet.

Tourist info is great wherever you go.

Very friendly people who mostly speak English too!

So go adn enjoy!  Thanks Kate for moving there!