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Happy Halloween!
I know, Jude - it's last year's costume and photograph but I didn't take one this year ;o(

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Jude's German homework. I love the word Frosch!

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I woke up this morning to discover that the weight of the snow has broken branches from the trees around my home. I did wonder what the noise was about 6 this morning - probably people dragging the branches out of the road so cars could pass!

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Hello snow! Despite being a bit concerned about my knee that has been playing up all week, I had a great run this morning in the woods. The snow was falling and it was so pretty - and my knee was fine!

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My crown came off in a toffee today so I'm very glad that this dentist is open tomorrow! I had an important appointment this afternoon with some special little ladies so couldn't go today.

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Today was Spirit Day at ISW and I have to say, the PA did a great job once more in making sure that the pupils had a great party after school! This is only a small part of the decorations - there's a haunted house, a haunted maze, a spooky corridor and a crafty entrance hall too!

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I was in Basel today speaking for Apple about iPads at a conference and at the end of my workshop I was given these as a gift. Lecker!

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I never cease to marvel at the beautiful colours of autumn!

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A belated birthday celebration today saw cake and biscuit eating, tea and coffee drinking, and much chatting. The ISW mums are a great fun bunch of people!

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Love these clocks and I know I'm not the only one!

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I was preparing for a workshop today so came across these images of Wales. We might be lacking in seaside in Switzerland but we do still have beautiful sunsets, lovely hills and mountains and inspiring water!

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Back in Switzerland and back in Lugano. Beautiful view from the station but some beautiful views from by the lake too!

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A view across Lago Como from Bellagio - like this one as it has flowers, a fisherman in a small boat, lake and mountains!

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Another piece of art in Como, on the approach to Stazione Como San Giovanni. Very striking, and great detail.

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TipTopSwiss is 'on tour' for the next few days in Italy. Here's a piece of art I found in Como today. An interesting use for old shopping trolleys...

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Gorgeous glorious trees on a beautifully sunny day :o)

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Autumn is here, and that means baskets of squash and pumpkins all over the place. Love the variety of colours. sizes and textures you see!

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Today I have lived in Switzerland for a year. In that year, I have run my first two half marathons; ridden a chair lift for the first time (a huge achievement); tobogganed down a mountain; sledged in snow; learned to speak German (I can communicate) and started to understand some Swiss German (an ongoing process!); eaten Heisse Marroni (delicious);  learned to love running uphill and found out that running downhill is actually worse; got a Swiss driving license but not actually used it; been admitted to hospital for the first time in my life (apart from having the boys); set my hair on fire (swiftly put out!); travelled all over the place on trains, trams, buses and other public transport - plus the very odd Mobility car; learned to decide which way to run based on wind direction and which farmer has manured his fields that day; experienced Swiss running races - sometimes elbows fly, sometimes you're offered hot soup as you run and often there are people 'donging' large bells or blowing Alpine horns to encourage you; attended the wedding of our neighbours and been a constant cause of concern for some of the other inhabitants of the block who worry about me running so much. And much more.
And I have been calm and climbed mountains too ;o)

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Today is my birthday so prior to running a half marathon, we went to Freitag to get my birthday present. There are a few things that I have vowed I must do / have whilst I live here, and having a Freitag bag is one of them. Made from lorry tarpaulin, and with a seatbelt for a strap, it's recycled, cool and very practical. I love it! Thank you boys xx

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I managed to take lots of pictures of scenery and animals whilst Mum was visiting but failed to take pictures of people. Thankfully Ray took some and sent me a few today. Here's Mum outside Park Hotel where they stayed after a 'mix up' at Bagels. Very quiet now they've gone home!

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Olma in St Gallen starts today. It's a fair celebrating Swiss agriculture and food. We're off on holiday next week but we'll have to see if we can pay a visit. Love the poster!

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Our beautiful brook has become a raging torrent with all this rain!! Steps covered, trees surrounded and grass flooded.

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Mum and Ray liked this bench. And so do I! Beats BCC benches any day!

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The Kapellbrücke and Wasserturm in Luzern today. Beautiful flowers, especially considering it's October!

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Loving the climbing cow at Zürich Hauptbahnhof :o)

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A visit to Rapperswil and Knie Kinderzoo today. A lovely little zoo that houses the animals from Knie Circus. Highlights included elephant bath time and an elephant ride for the boys. Jude was certain he was going to fall off so Isaac is holding onto him for dear life!

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Visit to the Rheinfall with Mum and Ray. A beautiful place. I love the powerful water and the landscape.

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When I was running yesterday, all that was in the ground. Speedy harvesting!

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I was reminded of something someone said to us when we were considering schools for the boys when we moved here.
"ISW may look uninspiring from the outside but wait until you see what goes on inside." They were right. It's what goes on inside the walls of that white building that matters. And if you look around, there are plenty of things to see too - like streams and fields, and ducks and cows, and trees and hills. It's not just a 'block'.

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Thank you to Miranda and Agnes for a lovely morning of Dutch coffee and pancakes. The poffertjes were delicious :o) Not sure what I can do to live up to that at my birthday coffee morning after autumn break!

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We've grown rather fond of the ducks in Eulachpark that we see every morning on the way to school, and have enjoyed watching the ducklings grow up. Here are two of them swimming upstream.