Climb Every Mountain, Ford Every Stream

Today was our first lay in of the trip so far. The three kids are crammed into a small room of the cabin the size of our walk in robe. They’re snuggled up and warm as the rain quietly falls on the roof. We were keeping an eye on the weather as we have two mountains to go up and are waiting for a window in the weather. The weather is so interesting as each tiny pocket in the alps is experiencing a different weather pattern depending on the sun and where the shadows of the mountains fall.

The first location we were venturing to meant we needed to ride a gondola, a tram and then another gondola. The boys chose to sit in the carriage with the driver. Little things like this show us they’re beginning to relax as little travellers in a foreign country. As our little tram climbed, we were literally passing through clouds. Our “ little engine that could” went higher and higher to a village called Murren. Our train was packed with hikers and a group were even carrying helmets. Goodness knows what for.

There was a family travelling with a young child. They were Indian and we couldn’t figure out if the child was a girl or a boy. Kayden being a new age kid explained to ancient Mike and I that you cannot decide gender on clothing alone. Touché! Anyway this family were clearly unwell. The Dad was coughing straight into his hand. Have we learnt nothing over the last few years!?? The child was sneezing directly into their Mums face! Her eyes and nose were leaking. Mike and I gave one look to each other and told the kids to stand at the other side of the station. We got out the antibacterial wipes and passed them around. We are touching so many surfaces each day, we need to try our best to stay well for as long as possible. Max- the little kid whisperer entertained the sick child from across the platform by blowing bubble gum bubbles. It appears his cheeky charm transcends cultures and continents.

We decided to spend time at an alpine playground where the kids took off immediately playing with each other, on their own and even interacting with children from other countries. Mike and I had our first real coffee of the trip while watching the kids play and admiring the view around us.

We packed a picnic of local treats and sat together for morning tea on a bench of top of a grassy hill with wildflowers surrounding us. Max our foodie’s eyes rolled back as he tasted dried meats and scoffed apricot tarts. He planned to spend his own holiday money on more meat that evening. His mother’s son!

We made our way back down the mountain and spotted a couple with a puppy. They graciously allowed us all to cuddle the oodle pup. We miss our

boy Hugo and little Albie so much. This was a treat. And a non shedding dog for my allergy men! Bonus. Turns out they had been to Perth so we chatted to them for a while before we moved on and boarded a train to go up the other side of the mountain across the valley. We went to a village called Wengen where I chose a cow bell and Christmas decoration as my souvenir. Mike and I have to work really hard to convince the kids that they don’t need fidget spinners and fidget puzzles or any more stuffed toys. I eye off the most beautiful music boxes playing Edelweiss and feel myself welling up. What can I say? Music appears to move me on this trip. I quickly shut the box and follow my family out the door, 150 Francs ($300aud) is not something I can part with today or any day on a music box.

In order to get to the peak of the next mountain call Manlichen, we had to use a gondola. Except this time I paid 5 francs each to go on a “royal ride” which is in a cage on top of the gondola in the open air. We ride up with an American man travelling for work. His chatter distracts us from the height. It’s

great for our kids to meet so many people who seem to travel to Switzerland for work. The world is your oyster my babies!

Once at the top of the mountain, we discovered another large alpine playground. Well the family discovered it and I acted surprised. I planned this holiday over a year. I know the ins and outs of most of the places we are going. Some will say you shouldn’t plan out days on holidays with kids. For me it’s my favourite part and it means we are not missing cool things or walking in circles. This trip is a once off. We can’t afford to repeat it next summer or the summer after. So I want to get it right.

Anyway! Gosh they do things so well here! The kids played on this incredible playground while Mike and I searched for a cow pat free patch of grass to set up our lunch picnic. We soaked up the quiet time and warm sun alone while the kids played. It’s so peaceful in Switzerland. Except for the Rossi kids playing.

After lunch we began a hike. The entire time we’ve been here we have seen elderly people hiking up and down mountains with their walking sticks. Surely we can do it too? We chose a trail that was all downhill and kid friendly. It had 12 stations to stop at and learn about something and at each station you stamp your map. The 1.5 hour hike was beautiful but often painful on the knees for Mike and I. Isla slipped on snow in the first 30 seconds. Her caring brothers giggled with laughter and Isla spat the dummy. So we spat the dummy at the boys and told Isla she was ok. Great start. After a few minutes Max fell back and walked with Isla. Telling her she didn’t look like she pooped herself or “did a moodie”- Isla’s weird words again. He offered her some Hubba Bubba and a lesson in blowing bubbles and all was well with the world. So we saw was patches of snow as we walked and spotted a little animal called a Marmot which looks like an extra wide quokka. We stopped by a river to eat the last of our picnic food then found ourselves at the traditional long musical instruments called alphorns. Isla was a pro at blowing into the long horn. Mike couldn’t do it very well. We’ll blame his delicate asthmatic lungs.

At the end of the hike we caught the gondola down to Grindewald and purchased one last microwave dinner each. Bring on Italy baby!

The train station was packed. Not great for shorties like Isla and Max. Kayden powered through the crowd and yells back to us “high school prepared me for this, you have to just charge through. Don’t stop for anyone. You gotta show them who’s boss”. What kind of high school have we sent our kid too?!

Isla is always in a rush to get home. She says she has lots to do! She writes a diary which I’ll share soon and also stories. She makes mini books or activity packs for Mike to complete on the train rides. Lucky Mike!

Tonight is our last night here in Switzerland. The place is just amazing for kids. Yet we hardly saw any. Most likely because it’s so bloody expensive. We had a wonderful time and think the kids were the perfect age to get the most out of it all.

It’s funny when you leave a place and know you’ll never be back. There is just too much of the world to see, we don’t think we’ll go back for a third time. I wonder if the kids will?