February 25, 2010

On the way home in the afternoon we have to wait in Bex (the little town down the valley from us) for 20 minutes. Luckily, our little train is there already, so we wait on board where it's warm. This is the little train that takes us up the mountain to Gryon.

February 24, 2010

My dafoldils all came out today! They were a very pretty sight when I got back from school. Pitty about the sudden lack of snow in the village, nothing like a few days of rain to wash it all away. But they are promising more snow next week, so fingers crossed!

February 23, 2010

Taking our usual walk to school from the train station today, Elizabeth and I noticed a strange little shop for the first time. Now that's a serious cuckoo clock collection! Check out the creepy ceiling, and the random St Bernard toy in the centre!

February 22, 2010

After class today, Elizabeth and I went to Vevey for a spot of 'inspiration' (otherwise known as shopping). We stumbled apon this exhibit at the photo museum and couldn't resist!

February 21, 2010

I spent the day trying to catch up on the french lessons I missed this week while I was sick. The view outside was pretty great though, and I had a hard time focusing! This is the view up the couloir to the Petit Meuveron. It was windy up there though, check out the snow blowing off the peaks!

February 20, 2010

Feeling a little better, I decided to brave the cold and head down the mountain for supplies. Probably not the best idea I ever had, as my ears wouldn't equalise, and I spent the morning almost completely deaf. Regardless, this is one of my favourite buildings on the road down the hill. I tripped getting out of the car (hey, icy roads are not good for uncoordinated people!) and threw my camera across the road, so I'm pretty happy it's still taking pictures for me!

February 19, 2010

I spent the day inside today, suffering with the flu! This was as close as I came to the world, watching through my kitchen window. Those are my french verbs on pink post-it notes, so I can practice while I wash my dishes!

February 18, 2010

I had to leave school early today, as I was feeling the effects of of bad cold. It was a chilly wait at the station in Montreux, but here is my train.

February 17, 2010

One of my favourite buildings in Montreux. Ignoring the ugly brick addition on the top (I mean seriously???) the detail is fantastic! What I wouldn't do for an apartment with those beautiful art nouveau windows.

February 16, 2010

My favourite part of the ride back up the mountain is seeing the Donkeys. They're so awkward looking they are adorable!

February 15, 2010

I started my french course down in Montreux today. Elizabeth has been going for a week already, so I was very lucky to have someone to guide me on the trains. Coming back up the mountain on the cograil train is slow but has views to die for.

February 14, 2010

Forgot to take a picture while I was out and about today (we had Valentine's lunch with Jodie, then went to see her and Yannic's new apartment, both were awsome!!). This is my favourite appliance ever, our Nespresso! It makes perfect coffee each time, and, being red, goes brilliantly with my Mixmaster which made it safely all the way from Australia.

February 13, 2010

Time for some skiing! Karl, Lauren and I went up on the hill for a quick few runs. The weather was perfect, and we had fun exploring some new runs (new for us at least!). Check out my birthday goggles from Karl, and my new helmet from McBoard, love it!

February 12, 2010

A night of cheese, wine and the girls! Jodie was visiting from Valais, so we took the opportunity to have some girl time.

February 11, 2010

Gryon welcomed me back to winter with a beautiful morning of fresh snow. It was a tad on the chilly side though, after a few weeks in the high 30s. Sorry for the bad picture, that says -9!

February 10, 2010

I missed most of this day in flying, but this was the sunrise as we came into Singapore.

February 9, 2010

On my last morning in Australia, one last picture from home. This one was taken by my step-dad Peter, of my beautiful and much missed cat, Mimi in the tree out front of the house.

I left Australia today and started the long trip back to Gryon. I was very sad to leave all of my family and friends, but I was missing my hubbie, and all my new friends in Gryon too.

February 8, 2010

The single funniest ad I've ever seen. Still laughing!

February 7, 2010

Mum and Peter's summer fruit bowl. One of the very few things I miss about summer is the fantastic fruit, and fresh flowers from the farmer's market.

February 6, 2010

Little Thomas Michael Olijnyk gets Christened. Two very proud God Parents, and even prouder parents. Poor Tommy wasn't quite so keen on the whole thing, especially after the Priest accidentally got oil in his eye!
Later, three ladies went to the outdoor cinema to watch Dirty Dancing. It was a sensational end to a sensational day.

February 5, 2010

Dinner out with the ladies at the Lantern Rooms in Campbell. The food was fantastic, and the company even better!

February 4, 2010

I came home to Australia this time to attend my new Godson's Christening. These are the Christening candles I made for his big day on saturday.

February 3, 2010

My Mum cooking up a storm, wearing the apron Karl and I gave her for her birthday.

February 2, 2010

Dinner out on the farm with Em, Dave, Jack and Chris, and Sharney, Sam and the Bump. It made me miss living at home very much.

February 1, 2010

Very early this morning I was woken by my cat Mimi's cries outside, where the neighbour's cat was beating her up, again! He comes into our yard, and attacks her. We rescued Mimi and now she refuses to go back outside. This afternoon she decided to help me out with my colour samples by taking a little nap on my sample folder.

January 31, 2010

This afternoon I got to meet the newest member of the Honeys, Ruby. She is beautiful, and definitely had both the smiles and the volume to prove she is one of us!

The Honeys (aka Raw Honey) are the accapella group I sing with in Canberra. They are a great bunch of people, who I miss back in Gryon.

January 30, 2010

Baby Zara enjoyed a ride on the 'In the night garden' ride after Rozie, Nick and I had coffee.

Earlier, I got to go and see Sarah and Brad's new house. It's so exciting to see something that I modelled on the computer come to life!

January 29, 2010

I drove up to Sydney today for a quick visit with some very special friends and some family. I had a lovely afternoon with my very good friend Liesl and her beautiful kids Sarah and Tristian. Then in the evening I caught up with the 'girls' from Uni (Binny, Cindy and the honourary girl Marty). Much fun was had and I realised just how much I miss getting to see them everyday.

Today is my hubby's 31st birthday, and I was very sorry not to get to celebrate with him in Gryon.

January 28, 2010

When we moved to Switzerland we had to leave our beloved "puppy" Spencer here in Australia. He is with some very good friends who love him just as much as we do. I went to see him to get some puppy-time in, and he was very happy in his new home.