AUNTY MARGARET COMES TO VISIT

Well my lovely Aunty Margaret flew in on Tuesday and it is so nice to have company.  Just for a week but we are packing it in.  When she arrived it was snowing but the weather has quickly changed with warmer weather. 

 Walking along the piste

 Playing in the park

 Look the eggs hatched on the football field but I think all the water has dried up now - poor tadpoles

On Thursday night we had a fondue.  It turned out to be a bit stringy but great fun and delicious too.

On Friday we went to stroll around the Megeve market and then my Aunty treated us both to a day at the spa.  We have hot thermes in St Gervais which is about 30 minutes away.  It was two and half hours of pure indulgance.  We opted for the course which is a serious of steam rooms, jacuzzi's, relaxation areas, saunas and then an outdoor pool which you work your way around with different jets for different areas, or in my case different flabby areas.  Great fun thank you Aunty Margaret or should I say actually thank you Michael Sedgely. RIP xx.

 The market in Megeve

 Parc Thermal in La Fayet

 They have beautiful gardens and views

Picnic lunch after a very stressful morning in the pools.

This is the course you follow.

Yesterday we went for a picnic, nearly got blown away a couple of times but the wind was warm and it made a change from all the rain and snow we've been having.

 Too funny

 Samuel trying to get in a spot of fishing

WINTER IN APRIL

Well the kids are back to school and I am gratefull because we've had the worst weather for two weeks.   Today is beautiful sunshine for the first time.  Yesterday it snowed all day.  I seem to be obsessed with the weather, I think that's a European thing. 

The kids playing in the field next to the house on Sunday.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

We are still on holiday and the worse thing is it hasn't stopped raining.  Apparently typical at this time of year but I don't remember it being this bad last year.  So single parenting with two bored kids in the rain is seriously no fun.  We've done the library, pool, cinema so next stop.  A museum.  So off to Geneva.  It was a revolting day as you can see above.  And yes I need a new umbrella.  In fact Manu bought me this one for Christmas and I need to really throw it away.  The watch he bought me for Christmas has never worked either but I haven't had the heart to tell him.  Anyway, the trip was easy 50 minutes and we were there.

The displays are fantastic, not much to read so perfect for the kids.  Samuel liked the planets the best and Benjamin like the dinosaurs.  There was a very interesting exhibit about poo, also bees.  I liked the turtles in the Barren Islands.  They are all diseased.  It was fascinating.  It was four floors so we braked for lunch, and when I saw a plate of chips was 6CHF = R 51, we went back to the car park for our baguette and cheese.  Ate in the rain but it was yummy anyway.

Nothing like french baguette and cheese.  It really is so delicious and I really believe no other country has perfected the baguette or the cheese as the French have.

After finishing the museum we went for a walk along the lake.

Enough to put you off?  It was as cold as it looks actually.

So I nice day and I'm glad I did it, next time will choose some sunshine to walk around the lake.

Pretty flowers outside the museum.

FIRST DAY OF FISHING

Easter Monday and we decided to do a spot of fishing.  I haven't a clue when it comes to fishing but Samuel loves it and so down the river we went.  Here he is just below our house with his new rod from Grandpere.  It was Grandpere's first ever rod so very special.  We fished with hamburger as bate but eventually found a worm.  Not that it helped no fish.  Have to go buy the fishing licence today.  5 Euros for kids for the season.  A good deal I think. Now I just need a few lessons.

EASTER

So finally the boys broke up on Good Friday but being the good Catholic country that Fance is it doesn't close down like the rest of the world.  So boys went to school, everyone ate fish and that was that.  They were happy to finish though I think with Manu being away this school term feels very long.

 I finally got a date for Manu's return and that is on the 6 May.  It was a bit of shock as the other staff are going on the 23 April and we'd already been counting down the day, so I was more than a little disappointed.  But the usual words of encouragement followed from everyone.  Thanks guys, would have preferred 'ahhh that sucks'  but I'll take your kind words and they must have worked because I am feeling better.  Although he leaves again two weeks later for another three months apparently that will be it then till next year.  Lets hope this year is an exception because 6 months all in all away from the family and I'm thinking this is no longer the perfect job.  But c'est la vie as they say. 

 Boys taking over the garden with Pierrick, since no one is here why not.

Rainbows, rain, snow - that's what we've had for the weekend.

THE HUNT - started very early Sunday morning as you can expect.  We awoke to snow, yip on Easter Sunday can you believe.  Boys had fun and then we went for a fresh walk to the river, yip in the rain/sleet.  Breakfast on the go as well.

 Sneaky that bunny

 The find, the little egg cosies were made for me and Guy one Easter when we were about 10 by mom, I love them but I don't remember getting a kinder egg underneath.  Spoilt boys.

 The river

Samuel's breakfast, at least the bakery is open on Easter Sunday.

 Chausson au Framboise and it was delicious - a puff pastry filled with raspberry coulis

 Eggs of a different kind on the football field no less

Frogs eggs with tadpoles moving inside.

LUNCH - We were invited last minute to Seb's where we had delicious burgers and another egg hunt ensued.  Fun for everyone.

 The second hunt

 Eggs kindly supplied by Grandmere and Tante Fifi

 Ben and Tonton Juju

 Samuel flexing his muscles

Table fun.

And that was Easter.