Uncia, up close
Tag: zoo
Zurich trip in a nutshell
We took our first family vacation that didn’t involve going to see family in over 4 years, and our first Swiss vacation ever, and spent 4 days/3 nights in Zurich. At first, we weren’t sure if we were going to cancel at the last minute. Not because of covid-19, but because Ben came back from scout camp super tired and grumpy and we didn’t want to spend an inordinate amount of money going somewhere else to have the same arguments we could have for free, at home. In the end, we decided to go and at least Katy and I would try and have a good time – which we mostly did.
We drove up from Morges. Initially, we were going to take the train but it worked out pretty much the same price and take the same amount of time to drive/park or take the train – and we’d be able to listen to music and wouldn’t need to keep masks on for the whole time. We made decent time, and only got turned around a bit before getting to the hotel and their well-hidden parking. The hotel was super nice, and super conveniently located, but also super expensive. Well, ok for Switzerland, and we did have two adjoining rooms separated by a door so we could shut the child in his own room. This turned out to be a mixed blessing, because of course he binged on the always-on internet, didn’t go to sleep until stupidly late and was therefore tired and grumpy all the time, woohoo!
On Monday, we did a quick reconnoiter of the general area, walked around the chinese garden, picked up information for a lake cruise and went to dinner at the hotel’s teppanyaki restaurant.
On Tuesday, we went to the zoo, which is one place Katy has been wanting to see ever since we moved to Switzerland, and even more so since one of the tigers ate a keeper. The zoo was really nice, but the visit was kinda sorta marred by the small one, who kept whining about being tired and wanting to go back to the hotel, and then having a complete meltdown when we didn’t buy him all the stuff he wanted us to get him from the gift shop.
After the zoo, we went on an evening dinner cruise on the lake. That was brilliant. Good food, good wine, gorgeous weather, and Ben wasn’t a shithead.
On Wednesday, we went to the Bahnhofstrasse and the old city to have a proper exploration. Again, the child was uber tired, uber cranky and uber wanty, so … we don’t speak of that day anymore. It was also a bit annoying that the main train station is under serious renovation, so we couldn’t really see it.
Saving grace for that day however was meeting Mira in Zug for dinner at a really great little tapas restaurant. Zug is also very cute.
On the last day, we discovered a nice little shopping center where Ben desperately wanted to go to a game shop (that also has branches in Lausanne), but there was minimal drama and then we headed home.
So, in the end, Zurich is very nice, very expensive, I had a great time with Katy and I could have done without the child’s shitty moods. But we kind of expected that.
All pictures here: https://www.flubu.com/blog/pictures/zurich_aug_2020
Kitties! Birdies! Doggies!
Lions, tigers, bears, lynx, pheasants, leopards, serval, wolves, emus…. oh my.
Lions, tigers and bears
Ben wanted to go to the zoo today.
Also, Donald Trump bird!
Twycross in the rain
As my first organized fun activity while I’m in the UK, we went to Twycross Zoo. It was pissing it down with rain, but I don’t mind, because it kept the crowds and the bugs away. Unfortunately, a lot of the animals decided they were better off inside. Still, managed to get some cracking good pics :)
All pictures, and more, here: https://www.flubu.com/blog/pictures/twycross_aug_2014/
Weekend started badly but ended fairly well
The oldies-in-law came down for the weekend. It was a bit of a rocky start on Friday afternoon, when less-than-complimentary things were said to a woman who had slept less than a dozen hours in the last 3 days (Katy) and then relayed to somebody who had had a really crappy week at work (me). Drama ensued, but we were able to work past it and have an overall good weekend.
Bean had really been looking forward to going to Colchester zoo, which is what we did on Saturday. A bit of rain meant that the crowds and the bugs were kept away, which really suited me just fine.
That evening, Katy and I had tickets to go see Stomp at the corn exchange. Even though we left early, Cambridge traffic almost bit us in the ass and we barely made it into the theater with seconds to spare before they refused admission. I was expecting a good show, but this was even better than expected. They used brooms, matchboxes, bins, paint tins, zippo lighters, newspapers, giant inner tubes and even the kitchen sink! I expected the rhythm and the choreography. I didn’t expect the humour of the show. It was good. I really, really recommend it.
On Sunday, Mel and I cleared out the back sheds in preparation for getting the freezer delivered and then we had a really nice meal for mother’s day. I made another over-baked pulled pork shoulder and it turned out just as nice – if not nicer – than the one I made at new years. As good as Bean was at the zoo on Saturday, he turned into demon child on Sunday and we were glad to throw him to bed that night.
Bean’s birthday
It was Bean’s birthday this weekend and we were in Leicester. We went to Twycross Zoo for the day on Saturday, where Bean saw Santa and lots of animals.
When we got back to the old fogeys’ home, uncle Stu, uncle Michael, auntie Minal, Jeminie and Sonal came over for dinner and fireworks. Was a good evening :) The train cake was well received. We were up until the wee hours of Saturday decorating the thing, but it was worth it.
All pictures here:
http://www.flubu.com/various_pics/ben_birthday_2011/