Amanda on Tour

The following are a few images from my travels today.

 Fabulous Mexican food found everywhere

 Land of the free, not so sure this sign represents that!

 Love some of the shops

 Loved this caravan

 This man stayed in the same spot for at least 8 hours

California (think pretty clear I am here) Mountains

This morning I went to the Californian 'mountains'. I did not realise that since moving to Switzerland I had become such a mountain snob, but these were no mountains, big pretty rolling hills yes, mountains no (I am now totally spoilt!). However, what was extremely impressive was the size of the amazing redwood trees. They were fabulous, absolutely massive, and so full of history as some of the groves date back to before the Battle of Hastings (1066). After my tree experience, I headed to a very American institution to get the full cultural experience, the mall. Six hours later, a little lighter in the pocket, I am now sitting in a Star Bucks planning my next adventure tomorrow..

Day Two

Considering my surfing career is on hold (until I stop being such a wimp), I decided to go back to the career I know best, teaching.  So I went to an after school program at a local school that a friend (Bajan) of mine runs.  It is a middle (ages 11 to 13) school in a Hispanic community and I thought I could be of some use but had forgotten just how shy I can be (honestly, not just with the adults but the kids too).  It was good to see, as you may imagine a state school in a Hispanic part of America, is more than a bit different than the school I currently teach in...

But as I was not really any help there and my surfing needs about a 20 degree water temp increase, I think I will try the next best thing tomorrow...

You can barely see them, but these are the brave ones...

Part of a classroom, very warm feeling full of character

View of the school

Where in the World?

After almost not making it out of Zurich airport (will complain at end of trip, trying to stay positive!), I enjoyed the first day of my holiday, touring around the beaches (where are these beaches is the question...). I had a lovely day, great people, sights and food. However, my idea of improving/learning to surf may be short lived on this trip considering I could not even get past my toes going in the water...

School's Out for Fasnacht

After what seemed like a very long seven weeks, probably due to the wintry conditions, school is out for Fasnacht break.  For the next week, it is carnival time in Basel.  It is meant to be a spectacular event, one that I will try not to miss next year as this year I am embarking on my own adventure...

But before leaving tomorrow morning I have to say goodbye to the friends I will not see for the next ten days, so holiday celebrations commencing in about 15 minutes, mine's a white wine!



So this is what I am missing, which is kinda okay
as think clowns are particularily scary



I love my job, but must admit need a break!

Second Thought

Having thought about it and receiving quite accurate comment, I decided to re-write some of my previous post but inadvertently deleted it. So instead just re-posting picture from recent walk with Lola.

Yorkshire Puddings

Yesterday, I successfully (well people ate it anyways) cooked a Sunday Roast in honour of Dawn and Bob (although should probably do Sunday fondue for people from the UK...). It was a great afternoon, full of food, laughter, chit chat, and games.  And not to tut my own horn but I must say that the big event of the day (for me anyways) was the success of my Yorkshire puddings.   Honestly, they are just going from strength to strength.  I am not giving up teaching just yet but think I could give Aunt Bessie (famous brand of Yorkshire puddings in UK) a run for her money.  

Anyways, I had a wonderful weekend, it was great to have Dawn and Bob here.  Back in the UK me and Dawn use to meet on a Friday for a glass of wine and a gossip.  I have missed these Fridays terribly but can safely say that we made up for every single Friday we have missed since August in this one short weekend...

Your Wish is my Command

Here at A&L we aim to provide the holiday of your dreams, so when Dawn said her and Bob really just wanted to have some good food, wine and walks, I knew exactly where to take them.. We travelled to Egushiem yesterday, in the heart of the Alsace, where we had a lot of food (picture below was only starter, two more courses after..) some wine and a bit of a stroll. It is such a beautiful village, we saw some lovely buildings (they do make you feel like you are in a cartoon), tasted some great wine and even saw a shot gun wedding. I must say that these are the sort of visitors I can cater for best, winos and foodies, museum junkies would definitely suffer staying with me!

Full Again

A&L is full again as Dawn and Bob flew in from Bruton yesterday. Dawn has been a tremendous friend to me over the years, a wall of support and I am very grateful to have her in my life (Bob is her wonderful husband). After a rocky start (the 15 min drive to the airport took almost two hours, I ended up in the lorry bit of customs in France, and honestly thought I may end up in jail as had forgotten passport and work permit) we had a lovely night.  We went for some steak in Germany (all equipped with passports), had a good gossip and finished off the night with a tiny bit of weiße Wein...

I Really do Work

So I had a conversation with a friend today (an advent reader of my blog) who commented that it appears that I do little work here and only entertain based on my entries.  So I wanted to assure everyone (especially the staff who may read this) that I work very hard, in fact I love my job, I love my kids, and even the staff ain't half bad ;).  I honestly do not spend my entire time here entertaining and spend loads of time preparing lessons and marking (in saying that I must admit that I do have two friends flying in from the UK in about two hours for the weekend.._)
PS- I just saw that Ecuador is on my map, so excited, finally got South America! Thanks whoever it is :)

See I do WORK VE!!

Summer's Here

You know I am acclimatising when for the last two days it has been +4 and I cannot get over how warm it is!  Even Lola who has flat out refused to walk any morning for the last two weeks, let me take her on a walk for the past two mornings (albeit still a much shorter one).  Even the students have commented on how much happier I have been since this heat wave began!  I hope and pray that this is the last of the deep freeze and this tropical weather continues!
PS- Lola and I would like to wish very big birthday wishes to two very special girls, Happy Birthday Martina and Elishka :)

Seven Dates

So last night I was lucky enough to have sushi with seven lovely ladies.  We were out celebrating being strong, independent, fabulous women.  We exchanged some pressies, had some food, and drank some wine.  It was lovely night that reminded me of some things I had forgotten...

...mainly that I need to celebrate these qualities a little more often! 

Vatican City

So I said I would go to two new countries this year, and went to one on Sunday, albeit for about 10 minutes, so possibly a bit of a cheat.  Before leaving Rome we went down to see if we could have a quick cup of tea with the Pope (there are certain things I would be very interested in discussing), but think he was all tied up being the Holy day and everything.   So instead we had a quick look around, got ripped off on post cards and then headed back to catch the train to the plane to take us home :)  

Rugby and Rome

One of the great things about living here is the proximity to the airport and that Basel is an easy jet hub (cheap airline). This made it easy for me, Ellie and Patrick to jet over to Rome to watch Rome vs England six nations rugby, take on the sights, to eat all Italian and have a few Vinos along the way. The game was brilliant, atmosphere electric, fantastic fans and I think England even won (not sure I fully understand rugby yet!). The food was yummy, drinks flowing and the sights amazing (oh and company was pretty fab too ;)). I am not the biggest city person, but loved Rome, even though it was fairly cold which is amazing for me!

Happy Happy Birthday

I would like to wish a very happy happy birthday to Robert, Henry, Gus, and  Bob who are all the same person, and also my father.  He is 71 today, although quite honestly could pass for someone at least a decade younger (I am sure he would like me to say two) and is quite simply the best father anyone could ask for.   I often think about how lucky I am to have him.  He has honestly and truly been the best father anyone could ask for, supportive, caring, intelligent, thoughtful, funny, insightful and always always there, even if an ocean and several countries away. 
And Dad I am  pretty sure you will read this, I love you very much, thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for me, have a wonderful day and come visit me soon!  I shall raise a toast in your honour tonight :).

Dancing with all the ladies last month in Barbados

Did I also mention he was a cow boy?

Maria Prosecco

Last night was wine night at Maria's (proseccos house).  Eight brave ladies braved the cold and we had a great night.  Maria (although instructed to only have cheese and crackers) put on a lovely Valentine's themed spread and her Romanian wine was the winner of the night.  And the girls did well, even though Miss. Prosecco catered for twelve and we were only eight we still made sure we left the place dry...