Switzerland in the sun

The weekend before last I took a trip to Switzerland for a few days to spend some time with my mum who lives there in the week for work, to relax in the flat and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Zug, where she is based. I used to be a regular figure skater but since my scoliosis spine operation in June 2011, I haven't been back on the ice. Until we found a cute little rink round the corner from the flat that is. I couldn't believe it but as soon as I stepped on the ice I was off gliding like I used to and it showed me just how much I used to enjoy it and the talent I still have a little of. By the end of the session I was knackered and I still have cuts in my ankles from the strain of my boots now, but I was going backwards and trying jumps I hadn't done in three years! The picture shows me helping my sister Sophie, manoeuvre around the ice; a move which leads to a great sense of superiority but I think she managed to cope with the patronisation. I don't ski unlike my sister and dad but my mum and I walked up the hill we live on and took the train into Zurich to revisit the art gallery Kunsthaus which has some classics like Monets, Van Goghs and a huge collection of Giacometti alongside modern sculptures. I owe these amazing landscape photographs to my dad, whose photography skills I will always admire.
I am wearing my black coat from Zara, furry Christmas jumper and leggings from River Island, my classic 90's shoes from Office and new Urban Outfitters sunglasses, which are a twist from my usual big Tom Ford's but for £13 I wanted to try a new shape, which I am still undecided on.

Switzerland Weekend - Zurich and Zug

A couple of weeks ago I went back to Switzerland to see my mum and with all this snow it looks incredible at the moment! My mum works in Zug (not far from Zurich) where these photos are taken, living in a flat half way up the Zugerburg which is such a handy spot for walking up to get these amazing views. I don't ski, a fact which makes me feel very inadequate when you have three year olds all set up with their massive puffa jackets superior to me but my mum and I went into Zurich and we came across this crowd of children getting ready for Christmas, carolling in a pyramid as a whole audience gathered round with mulled wine. This was all very cute until we came back four hours later and they were still out which we thought was definitely classed under, 'Swiss Extremist Carolling.' We also found this lovely open courtyard which had a spectacular view of St.Peter's clocktower though we came to the conclusion that it was so very European, purely because you couldn't have that kind of serenity in a public place in London. This was also felt upon seeing fully decked Christmas trees along the main street in Zurich, with pristine baubles; is it too cynical of me to assume that within three days of something like that being arranged in London they would be smashed?
My outfit is Topshop black leggings, fur Zara coat and I don't even know how to describe my shoes? I love them and have worn them pretty much consistently for the past two months. They're black patent and lace up but I don't know how to categorise them because they have a heel and are certifiably to my mind down as 'clompy boots.' Decide for yourself the correct shoe terminology.

The Overcast Streets of Switzerland

      Happy Easter! I hope you're having or had a good break and celebrated with some treats of the chocolatey kind. I arrived in Switzerland on Thursday to meet my mum who works and resides in the week in the town of Zug. I love the Swiss charm and traditional architecture of the main town, with historic and mythical paintings on the faces of the buildings, though the outer houses are much harsher and more modern, which I really don't like as I think the grey cement doesn't fit with the beauty of the hills and the lake.

     So I hit the town to get some photos to capture the town and its pretty houses; there is something about the triangular rooves which I think would look so abnormal and unpractical anywhere other than rural areas surrounded by mountains, but fit so perfectly here. It was pretty cloudy to start with and when I came out of the restaurant it was snowing! Not unexpected but a happy shock anyway.