Twofold

The purpose of this blog is twofold.

First reason) You know when you are trying to get people on their mobiles and get no response for ages so you begin to get paranoid that they are not okay or you have done something to upset them, especially if they are a person that always has their phone, well this has become my blog. Last week my father was worried due to lack of blogs and last night Suzanna emailed me from one of her latest adventures, Vegas, to ensure I had not returned to boring hibernation and I want to ensure her I have not (although who could blame me as heard today that this has been the darkest winter ever on record in Basel), and also I cannot wait for her return on the weekend, albeit a short one.

Second Reason) The Swiss are known, very accurately, for their precision and quality. You probably know that their public transport runs like clock work, they have the most delicious chocolate, yummiest cheese, highest quality watches but what you probably do not know is about their helium.

Suzanna gave me this two weeks ago and it has not deflated one bit.  Amazing really, the Swiss even have this sorted no wonder they do not emigrate, how frustrated would they be anywhere else?!

Sticky Toffee

Lunch at Aunty Em's is always a special treat, she always goes over the top, spoiling everyone rotten, and you leave feeling like you may never eat again. This lunch was extra special, with some toasting and catching up to be done.
Homemade sticky toffee pudding. Amazing.

Great day and a big thanks to Emily and Dave!

My Favourite Day

I am so in love with the six nations, a reason for me to have a pub day every Saturday, which is my favourite day, pub day. I love all the English chat, beer (not that I have had one, but like that I can), sport (not that I watch as much as I chat), just love it. So yeah, been here a year and a half and my favourite thing is not skiing in the alps but sitting in the British pub, a bit sad really ;)

The Lanterns

4am Monday the bands carry these Lanterns around and then they are displayed for the rest of the carnival for all to see. I also learnt that Faschnat, besides being a religious festival, also is to chase winter away (based on last few days maybe working). My kinda festival.

Confetti and Candy

After a day of rest yesterday (managed to move from the sofa twice), I met Asa in town to watch the Faschnat festivities. I really did not know what to expect, but loved it, loads and loads of bands all dressed up walking around playing instruments. Confetti and sweets being all thrown around and everyone seems happy and smiling.

36 hours to go :)

Faschnat Fun

The Basler Fasnacht starts on the Monday after Ash Wednesday at precisely 4:00 am with the so-called Morgestraich. The carnival lasts for exactly 72 hours and, therefore, ends on Thursday morning at 4:00 am. During this time the Fasnächtler (the participants) dominate the old town of central Basel, running free in the streets and restaurants. Basler Fasnacht is often referred to as die drey scheenschte Dääg ("the three most beautiful days").

Last night began my first Faschnat here in Basel, a long night of checking out all the different places celebrating (we now know places to head to on a weekend and others to avoid), dancing and having a few festive drinks.  It was a great night, especially lovely to see the city so full of life, everyone happy and getting in the spirit, thousands of people pouring in just before 4am to mark the official start (usually most of the city is sound a sleep at a sensible 11pm;)).

Only 66 hours left...

Break Time

Today is the first day of our week-long break (carnival in Basel), a break that I definitely need. I know many think I am just being a whining over holidayed teacher, and maybe I am but either way I need a break! Anyways, I started the holiday catching up with people I do not see nearly enough over a lovely meal in France.

Lovely meal and lovely to catch up before the upcoming week's adventures.

V Day Dates

Last night, I turned down the hundreds of dinner date requests I had (possibly a slight exaggeration) and instead decided to go to a comedy show with a big group from school. It was the first time I had been and I must say it was very funny.

Amanda's Mastepiece

Amanda's masterpiece tuna and veggie dish (Dad, this is for you).

Step 1:

Slice Aubergine or eggplant (depending on nationality)

Step 2:

Slice one courgette or zucchini (again based on nationality) and grate long strips of another and dice a cup of mushrooms.

Put eggplant, courgettes, mushrooms, can of tomatoes, capers and some balsamic vinegar in a pot.

Place tuna steaks in pan (sear for two minutes later), stir veggies till cooked and blanch strips of courgettes.

Step 3:

Plate it all up and enjoy healthy yummy (well if you get it right, which not sure I did this time) dinner

This blog is Inspired by my fathers extremely entertaining blog where recently he shared his veggie recipe for his 'Gus's veggie masterpiece' with step by step photos (by the way his name is not Gus, so obviously my father)

Cold, Crisp but Beautiful

It has been a cold but beautiful weekend in Basel, the sun has been shining and the sky is blue. Lola and me have enjoyed several lovely walks along the river. And today is not only a beautiful day but a very important one. It is my fabulous fathers 72nd birthday (although most would never believe this). A big happy birthday and loads of love Dad from your eldest and grand daughter. xxx

Wine O'Clock

The first wine club meeting of 2013 took place last night at Fernanda Brazil ( I have given her this name as not to confuse her with Fernanda Mexico/America), as usual it was a lovely evening spent tasting good wine and catching up on the past couple months.

Loved this

The hostess with one of her many South American wines

Some of the Ladies :)

 

Back in Love

As I sat in most of January recovering from a very busy and tiring pre-Christmas and Christmas season, I had kinda forgotten just how great Basel is.  But luckily I have spent the week rediscovering this fact, a day in the pub, a dinner at friends and last night at what I can see turning into a regular venue in town.  Looking forward to tonight and the upcoming weekend adventures as I fall back in love with Basel :)

 

Thanks to Pia and Christine for taking me to a fab new spot and increasing my diet coke intake severely...

Power of a Blog

Yesterday morning when I was walking Lola, I dropped my phone, after several frustrating hours searching for it (in the rain), I gave up and sulked back home.  Now I was fairly peeved off and may have cursed a few times on the way back but actually I learnt  a few things from this experience.  One is that I am far too phone dependent (could not set my alarm clock, could not check my bank balance, trying to find something on my calendar, and then of course just getting hold of people), and two that a blog really is the most amazing thing (and this bit makes losing my phone all worth while).  If you look at the post below, the Swiss police have gotten through to me to return my turned in phone by finding and messaging me on my blog.  How fabulous, I get my phone back and prove that it really is not a waste of time!

Finally Feb

The first weekend of February, finally, the worst month is now done and dusted, I managed to survive it once again and Spring is just around the corner. To celebrate this fact, a day in the pub was definitely the ticket.

The girls, and Patrick who was determined to be one of us.

Finally snuck one without him (check out Becky's amazing arm span).

The men (Patrick should take note that none of the girls are tackling their way in the photo).

Mark and the part timer (Mari, could not help escaping every few minutes to the near by shops).

Patrick and Ellie actually watching the rugby, which I kept forgetting was the whole point. 'Watched' two games and quite frankly have no idea who won either one!