The Swiss Family….

Dropped to the Malta airport by the Sammy express taxi on Saturday, I said my last goodbyes (for now) to my Maltese family and winged my way to Zurich to visit my Swiss Family, Florian (who was our homestay student 25 years ago) Verena, his wife and now 9 year old Benjamin.

Saturday evening catching up with a fabulous spread (and refreshments) prepared by Verena…

Being very spoiled, trying to quietly nurse my 2nd summer cold (so as not to share) and back issues! Nothing that can stop the adventures!

Sunday day off for all, we took a late morning bus and transferred to a train….which took us along the length of lake Zurich

To Rapperswil, a medieval town at the northern end of the lake, and the home of Roger Federer who is building a mansion lakeside! Also known as the town of Roses!

A lakeside village, castle, flowers, boats, cafes and blue blue water….

A wander around, up and down, the village partaking in a delicious ice cream from a vending cart and lining up to take the 2 hour boat cruise back to Zurich city….

A perfect 30 degree day, no wind and a cool beer on board…the boat stopping several times at pick up and drop off the length of the lake…

Getting the best vista of all the lakeside homes and towns and Tina Turners abode, where she lived for many years until her recent passing ….

The White House with the black boat sheds either side. Arriving back in Zurich city around 4.00pm for a late lunch early dinner pizza!

And a beer! Still a balmy 30 something degrees…Zurich city bustling with trams and strollers (people) enjoying the afternoon sunshine and colours of the early autumn..,

With full tummies and sore feet (in my case back) we caught train and bus back to my hosts apartment…a quiet time, and for me actually a little Nanna Nap, and as the sun went down…..

We enjoyed the cool(er) evening on the terrace watching the airplane trails in the orange sky! Florian and I grabbed some today the Fiji-Wales World Cup rugby game, which he found much more enjoyable than the All Blacks-France effort of Friday.

This morning it was work for all the adults, a half day for the Swiss contingent and no school for the youngest member of the team as it is a sort of half day public holiday, and they have plans for this afternoon which includes Pumpkins! Watch this space!