In the bleak midwinter....

It turns out Walter has a childhood family friend living in Zurich, so we invited her (Kim), her husband Christian and their a-blinkin-dorable son of 5 months, Loic, over for a Thanksgiving meal. Walter picked them up from the Neuchatel train station last Saturday morning. It was a lovely, Sunny, snowy day, so they saw Saint Blaise at it's best :) Kim's a journalist who's been covering the pharma. industry for the last few years. I think she only intended to stay for a couple of years.... sounds familiar ;) Christian is French Swiss, and us poofs didn't practice our French with him. After walks were taken, we tucked into a real Thanksgiving meal. Well, the turkey was from France and I haven't seen a sweet potato in months, but Kim supplied some real stuffing and cranberry sauce, and some really really tasty homemade pumpkin pie. We spent a lovely day with them, and Allie and Toby were in their element. They ended the evening running around the living room with pillows stuffed up their fronts , bumping into each other. This is what Kim and Christian have to look forward to hehehe.... We're looking forward to descending on them in Zurich :)

Christian and Loic take a breather between courses.


Kim is amused by the witty dinner conversation.


Not a shabby affair



So it snowed from last Thursday night till Monday. Here are some pics. of the Cali. Stockwells getting down with the season. Allie is a total snow fiend, but Toby's not so keen on the large amount of dressing up or the cold. He's a Southern creature.

Our living room view, the first day it snowed. Purdy!


Walter took some snow froom the window sill and A n T had their first ever taste. They kept asking for more.... it must taste good!


The boys went out to investgate. Walter showed Allie how to make snow angels.


Ain't they cute in the snow?


We went for a walk and the water wheel was frozen to a stop.


The weather has calmed somewhat now, although as I look out the window, it's sleating and a couple of degrees below zero outside. That can't bode well for tomorow- they're not big on ploughing or gritting! The farmer's market in Neuchatel is still going on under a lot of sheeting. There are lots of Marrons stalls (hot chestnuts) and I'm just waiting for the gluweine (sp?) (mulled wine). That should make shopping rather easy. When we get ready to go out, i need to give us at least 10 mins: catch boys, lose one, catch again, get one to the loo, put woolly socks on one while commanding the other (now deaf) to put his socks and shoes on, put shoes on the one that hates wearing anything while he screams no, tell Mr. Deaf to put his shoes on NOW, wrestle one into his gloves(he really hates those) then wrestle him into his coat, tell Mr. Deaf to put his shoes on, let Mr. Screamy ouside, help Mr. Deaf with his gloves and coat as he cries bitterly that he should go outside first. I then have to find my stuff, put it on and find suitable shopping bags (it costs to have your stuff bagged here). When the cold started, I went to Migros and bought leggings and tights(boys and girls wear them here) for the boys, leggings for Walter, more socks and a snow shovel. My mum has also sent a couple of packages with vests (the British for undershirts) for me and the poor boys. I had utterly forgotten how cold the cold can be and how much one needs to deal with it..... I'm glad we don't have to pay the heating bills....

It's Coooold en Suisse on Thanksgiving.

When we left for Rome it was cool- a few layers were needed in the early morning, maybe gloves for the boys. When we came back things were considerably different. It's been below zero every night and there's a baltic wind blowing through all the nukes and crannies. Our routine has turned into stepping out in the afternoon for a brief run down to the lake or up to the 'up park' then home to revive cold extremities. That Toby won't wear his gloves outside and then complains bitterly about 'hurt hands'.... When we return the boys run around giddy behaving like they've survived a trek through the Tundra.
It's supposed to start snowing tomorow. Every morning Allie asks if it's snowed yet, followed by 'Has Father Christmas come yet?'

I hope our American family are enjoying Thanksgiving. We wish we were there.

On a walk last weekend in the wilderness at the top of St-B


All the fountains that have water left in them are starting to ice over. Also taken on our walk last weekend.

Roma

We got back from Rome last Weds and I've been procrastinating and faffing with photo stuff.....
Anyhoo, the four of us set out a week ago on Sunday, up to the train station at the top of St-B, rather early in the morning. The following trains and airplane went very nicely. We flew from Zurich with SwissAir. All the crew were nice, we had extra seating next to us to spread out on and the chocolate kept on coming! We did have get bused out to the plane, though. When we landed in Rome things started to look a bit different. Apart from warmer weather, there was less "order" (I swear this is how we're thinking now). Ticket machines, the train station, trains were all older and in very 'used' condition. We navigated a ticket machine and got on the right train to Rome Termini (in the middle of Rome). As the train moved along Walter and I independantly of each other sat there thinking how all the stations we passed through were in a state of delapidation (Walter's comment was- you can't tell if they're being built or are in the middle of being abandonned-). The apartment buildings were awash with hanging laundry, plants, plants growing on roofs. We were shocked at feeling so shocked by the change in scenery. It's really not surprising that the Swiss don't go anywhere....
When we got to Termini, we had to hump our stuff a bizzilion miles along the huge station to the taxis. As soon as we were in a taxi I remembered Italian driving methodology- blinkin' fast and ridiculously close, interspersed with gesticulating and verbage. Very exciting! I heard on Car Talk the other day that the Itaians don't get road rage. I think they're having too much fun living close to the edge. We got to see a little of Rome in the car- lovely, busy, smelly, noisy, mishmosh. The hotel was right in the old part- http://www.romeby.com/hotelgenio/ I would recommend it- nice rooms, great location, cool terrace and a killer breakfast. I suspect you couldn't get a no smoking room for the love of money, though. We had spent the whole day travelling, so Walter took Allie out to find some warm, street vendor samichis...very yummy.
The next day Walter had to work, so the boys and I took a leisurly stroll arouond the environs. We made it across the Tiber heading towards the Castel Sant'Angelo. http://www.romeguide.it/MONUM/STORICI/castel/castel_eng.htm

On our way to the Castela.


Standing on a bridge, looking at the Castela.

Since it was Monday, it wasn't open :( but we took a stroll around the grounds outside it and whadaya know- we found a playground! Very nice too. Allie and Toby perked up considerably and we hung out there for a good while. When snack time rolled around we bought some yummy pastries from a vendor and watched all the people. There were also a lot of people selling designer knock-offs. My Prada bag is still there, calling out my name :(
While Toby napped, Allie and I took in the terrace on the top floor of the hotel. You can see a lot of Rome landmarks, and an unbelievable amount of TV antennas.... totally unbelievable- everywhere there's roof. The hotel is very near the Piazza Navona: http://www.romainteractive.com/pznavona.htm
What a perfect place for the boys (visited after Tobe's nap). Plenty of fountain action, lots of running around space and birds to chase. There were lots of cafes, gelaterias (btw there was one right beside the hotel...mmmm) and buskers.

Piazza Navona


Some Stockwells at Navona.

We got a pizza for dinner, then some gelato. This brings me to ice cream and Italy. I'm not a big ice cream fiend (unlike dear Walter), but Rome turned me. The gelato there is out of this world. It's soooooo smooth and creamy. The flavours are'nt too intense and taste like they should. The thing that really got me was the lack of plain ole vanilla. They had all kinds of 'basic' white ice cream that blew me away. Anything that I've tried in the US claiming to be Gelato is sadly mistaken.....
After the boys were bedded, Walter returned from 'work' and described the lovely food he had during his lunch and breaks ;)

Walter had day 2 off, so we headed out to take in more scenery. Starting at the Piazza Navona we walked through alleyway type streets to the Pantheon.

WK in front of the Pantheon, and ofcourse a fountain!


From the outside it's quite unassuming- it's in a small piazza with a fountain and cafes. The inside.... actually I can't really remember the inside now. It's been a while and I couldn't realy take it all in with wee boys trying to go into places they shouldn't and lick various saint's statues. It was beautiful, though. It's big feature is a large domed roof that's open to the outside. The floor has lots of little holes in it for the rain.

Inside the Pantheon.

Here's a better description than mine:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome

Snack time at the Pantheon.

Walter found some old route between the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain- through more cool, little streets. The Trevi is a spectacular fountain 'system'- it even had waves! The boys dipped their hands, clambered on the side (where they were whistled at by a police man...oops) and ran around. I'm not going to try to describe it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevi_Fountain

Stockwell men clamber on the Trevi.

After Toby's nap, we went to the Castel Sant'Angelo for poor Walter who wanted to see it. Unfortunately, the boys denied him again. They were moody to say the least, so we went to the park!

Tobe loves Rome.


Allie loves being photographed.

We did manage to drag them around some back streets some more and stop at a tratoria for dinner. We ate really good pasta outside, watching the beautiful people, then meandered some more. It's easy to get lost there and not see the same thing twice.... very fun.

Piazza Navona fountain by night.


I noticed that nearly every piazza we saw had it's own Madonna looking over it:

There would be different embellishments, type of inscription, size....

Weds. was home day. We all flew together and had to say goodbye to Walter at the gate as he was orf to Frankfurt to train eager people in the Crossbow way of doing things. The boys and I managed to get a train back to Neuchatel, but since the plane got in later than I thought, we got a different train with no connection to Saint-B... The upshot is on weds. we flew, took a train, a bus and a funicular to get home.

So that's Rome in a nutshell.... I wrote about it too late and now the memories are all fuzzy. For all the upheaval, it was a good trip. I like Rome, and I'll like it lots more when the boyts are 10(ish).... or staying with relatives...hehehe.

What's This?????

On our foray through the fields of Pierre a bot, we saw a bunch of these:

I thought it might have to do with feeding cows their hay in the winter. Allie thought it was a toy.... There's the prize of a bunch of chocolate for the person who enlightens us :)


Also, most of you probably know what this is:

My mum and I used these public loos at Pierre a bot... they're still going strong in Suisse! The splash marks around it are from the strong flushing water.....

We're off on a wee jaunt to Rome tomorow. I love saying that! Any suggestions of what to see when we're there? Remember there will be 2 active, sleep deprived wee boys with us. We'll be staying right in the old part, near the Tiber :) Very exciting!

Gma departs, New Car, Odds and Ends

We had a busy week of showing Gma how the Swiss shop, going to the parks and seeing Neuchatel. She wants to live here now :)
Here's a pic of her and the boys at the famous water wheel.


While we were visiting the park at the top of the town, Allie and Toby took to playing this game:

No-one's been jumped on yet!

It was lovely seeing Gma Cake. The boys had some serious withdrawal on the day between her leaving and Walter coming home. She's bringing Gpa back for New Year. Walter and I get to sample our first Swiss Hogmanay!

NEW CAR!!!
Walter came home from London on Friday and promptly went to pick up the car. We are now the proud drivers of a VOLVO......hehehehe..... I need to find a Starbucks for my latte...hehehe... It's a really nice car. Plenty of room for 'stuff' like ....mmm...skis.... hehehe.

Helios!

So last Monday we saw Walter off to London for a few days of mingling with BP and other companies in the run up to the "Helios Awards". It's a way of recognising BP's best people and projects. Crossbow was up for the Innovation and Partnership awards (Partnership is more prestigious than the other categories). Walter got to shake hands and talk to Lord Brown himself (the man at the top of the richest company in the world). He was very chuffed! Mr Chufftie had a very nice (and tiring time) in London too :) Here's a description of the awards:
http://www.bp.com/subsection.do?categoryId=9002633&contentId=2002401
Unfortunately, they don't have the 2005 results up yet.
When there's a pic. of Walter and the other Crossbow extaordinaires at the 'do' I'll certainly post it :)

Huzzaah for Xbow!

Grandma Cake's Visit

Well, what a busy week, and it's only getting busier!

I picked up my mum from the Neuchatel station last Saturday evening. On Sunday she got thrown straight into some Neuchatel culture, as our old landlords (now friends) Sylvain and Rachel invited us to a picnic in the park. Poor Walter stayed with poor Toby, who had a nice big temperature :( So my mum (called Grandma Cake -for Kate- by Tobe), Allie and I took a couple of buses to the area above Neuchatel called Pierre-a-bot. There's a farm, a lot of space(I was told the park used to be a golf course) and a nice restaurant called Pinte de Pierre-a bot, which is famous for fondue:
http://www.pintedepierreabot.com/

While we waited, Allie played in a nice playground with Gma.


We met Sylvain, Rachel and Timotei, who all had huge back packs. It turns out they had come prepared for a full Raclette meal. We all hunted in the surrounding woods for some good firewood and Sylvain made a perfect camp fire.



We wrapped potatoes individually in aluminium foil and he put them in the fire (he also boiled some in a pot).. When they were ready, he took out a 1.25 ft diameter, half wheel of Raclette cheese and put it on a flat piece of rock, right next to the fire.


In a couple of minutes,it would be bubbling and he would take it off and deftly scrape the whole face of it onto some lucky person's plate.



The tradition is to eat the potato out of its skin with the melted cheese, but I'm rather partial to scorched, baked potato. While you're waiting for the pots and cheese you all tuck into pickled products. Gerkins, onions, corn, mushrooms etc. They're really good with the cheese and potato too.

After stuffing our faces, my mum and I talked to some of Sylvain and Rachel's friends while Allie played with a bunch of kids. It really brought home that he's a big boy now. After food, we didn't see him at all as he was having too much fun with his pals....

So long, Grace and Ruth

So this was the first complete weekend for a while, of having Walter at home. Grace and Ruth were off in Leistal visiting their friend Urs. Needless to say, we did diddly squat. I had my weekly stint at the farmers' market. Mushroom season is in full swing, so i got a selection of 'caps' I had never seen before. You can supposedly collect them in the woods round here, and there's even a special section in the "Bulletin des Communes" (we receive it every week fo' free) for the Mushroom Controller. You can take your finds to him and he'll tell you whether they'll kill you painfully, get you high or make your stew taste like mud. I tried my hand at a crepe filling with some that were described as 'fort' (strong) by the seller. I guess fort meant mud! Walter looked at some cars, and he chose one that we should have by next week :) I ain't saying what it is till there's a pic to go with it. Most of you probably know our car 'ethic'- used, reliable, good gas mileage, don't care about the look.......teehee.. Allie and I went to the Halloween Party (put on by the Neuchatel International Club, for fluent English speakers) for kids at a place called "Pierre-a-Bot" Farm. We only just found out about it, so the poor boy didn't get a costume. He got to eat chocolate, make crafts and play a British game called 'What's the Time, Mr Wolf (mr. ghost in this case) where he got to run around screaming with other children. Then he went on a bat hunt, with the prize of lollipops. Not bad.
The only other notable event of the weekend was afternoon tea. Here are some pics of the boys enjoying.
Tobe enjoys a nice cup of tea
Sun drenched Allie
Tobe enjoys Nutella. His parents don't enjoy cleaning him up

We went to the train station on Monday evening, to say 'Abientot' to Walter's cousins Grace annd Ruth. There are lots of ways to get to Gare Neuchatel- train, bus, funicular- cool :) Before they left, we had dinner at a wee cafe beside the station. All it had on the menu were rice bowls. They were reallyreally tasty- flavours of Thai.... sigh.... I miss good, cheap Thai food... Anyhoo, we waved themm off on the TGV- still exciting! So these are the only photies:
La TGV est tres belle!


Ruth is turning to wave, poor Grace is carrying that huge, blue backback. She got stuck a couple of times and had to be helped ;)

My mum's here next week, then the week after that we go to Rome- woohoo on both counts! Walter's big concern for the trip is: Am I adequately prepared? Mine is: What shall I wear?