Going to Sicily and London were lovely additions to this year’s fitfor15in15 escapades, but it’s taken me a few days to get back into the swing of blogging every day. I don’t think I needed a break, but it was lovely to just enjoy the time for what it was.
At home, the grass has turned green again and the weather is cooler but still nice.
Leo outside our house. Look at all that green grass!
Not sure if we’ll use the pool again this season – the water is now just 17 degrees. Too cold for most and definitely too cold for me!
A beautiful sunset on my way home on Wednesday night
I went to work on Wednesday then went back again in the evening to celebrate Maru Dojo’s 10th anniversary. Congratulations to Marko and his team for a great event, and 10 years of success. Here’s to the next 10, 20 …
Thursday, I spoke with a friend in Australia about some writing work he’d like me to do and Leo’s friend Dani came over for dinner. I made a baked chicken pasta dish which was mostly made up, and thankfully it worked!
Leo and Dani
Friday I sent in further documents for a job application that’s currently on the go, and helped Rene in the garden pulling weeds, using the electric trimmer and finishing off the mowing. It’s been a while since the lawn’s been mowed, because it was burnt to a crisp over summer. Leo was feeling poorly with the flu on Friday night and didn’t come to Fritz’s birthday party. I was only supposed to go for an hour, but Rene ended up staying much longer than he intended, so I got home about 10.30pm instead of 7.30pm. Thankfully, Leo didn’t mind!
Freshly mowed. Friday was a lovely sunny day
Dinner with Lotti, Fritz (hidden), Rene and Paul
Ueli and Anna-Marie celebrating Fritz’s 78th birthday
Eve, Liliane and Hani, laughing at the boys because …
They sculled a shot of whisky! Rene said it burnt his nose and throat
Saturday, I cleaned the pool and enjoyed some warmth, then The Usual Suspects came over for a barbecue and we played cards for most of the afternoon and evening. Poor Eve, who is normally very good, lost six times. She was devastated! I managed to only have to pay once (two Francs, which goes into a kitty to be used on holidays in November) so felt pretty chuffed. Leo joined us only for the meal as he was still feeling rubbish with the flu.
Sleeping beauty, where he spent most of Saturday afternoon
Sunday, Liliane, Leo (who was feeling much better) and I walked the lovely path behind our house (which I only ‘discovered’ this year) to our favourite restaurant in Wohlen, Restaurant Kreuz. They were having an outdoor lunch celebration with a traditional brass band, so The Usual Suspects met once again for another afternoon of laughs. For some reason, this one turned into a riot. The restaurant owner decided we should all have shots, and because we oohed and ahhed about how nice they were (a warm caramel/amaretto and cream concoction), we bought another round, and then another, and then he gave us something different to try, and then we had Red Bull and Jägermeister drinks and and and … Phew. I’m glad it wasn’t necessary for me to go into the Dojo today. I feel fine but riding in the rain with a slightly foggy head wouldn’t have been the smartest plan.
10am in Wohlen bei Bern, looking at the Alps
Liliane and Rene’s dog Boy joined us on the walk to Restaurant Kreuz
Luckily when we walk to the restaurant, there’s lots of downhill
Liliane said this red berry clump was quite rare to see in the wild. The leaves of the plant were long thin strips, but I can’t find any references on the internet
What an amazing, massive hibiscus in the garden with all the decorations, which I’ve mentioned a few times
Liliane in the elaborate garden
This was one of the smaller blooms
Boy with ball = happy Boy
The band played in slight drizzle but it cleared up after lunch
We moved our table under the tree so we wouldn’t get wet. Cheeky!
All the other tables
The gang. This is the first time I’ve sat outside at Restaurant Kreuz
Leo killing any lingering germs with a Jägerbomb
They call this drink a ‘Flying Deer’ here, because Red Bull apparently gives you wings
Lotti enjoying the warm shot with cream. I can’t remember the Bern-Deutsch name for it, but it means Marmot Fart. Charming!
Eve isn’t normally a dairy fan, but she thought this was pretty tasty!
Rene pretending to be our waiter
I had a shot at being the waitress, but the first friend of Rene’s I spoke to said, “Can’t understand a word” because I spoke to him in German and not Bern-Deutsch. Ahh, the daily challenges!
Restaurant owner Peter handing out more drinks … really? Really? I’m well over them by this stage!
Overall, it was a great social weekend, but I’m looking forward to some quiet days ahead!
Wishing you a wonderful day.
fitfor15in15 ... and further 
Oh Bestest – the difficulty of shoe horning life in to the space in which our life is lived! What a vast canvas you have and the colours you paint are splendid. Old friends of lives past in London are wonderful to revisit – and the joy of current spirits in Berne (including spluttering ones like Leo). Enjoy your blessed and laughter filled space.
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Wonderful times! Those berries are probably arum italicum (I have it in the garden..)
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You’re a wealth of knowledge Freda, thank you!
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