Hello bloggers, isn't that spring sun wonderful?  I see from my stats that I now have many new Russian readers! So, WELCOME!!

Finally, at last, it has come. Giving it's warmth and greening everything by degrees. How wonderful it is to see that snow finally being melted on the lower levels. One one night temperatures were recorded in Neuchatel, Switzerland, at -38!! Wow! Thanks goodness we don't live in Neuchatel anymore! Actually, no, I always will love Neuchatel and those enchanting old woods. I wonder how those poor little animals fared in those temperatures, not very well I think.......

It was only this Tuesday last,that the snow was relentless; in fact we had a thick blizzard over another foot of snow! And what did we decide to do you ask? We decided to visit the thermal baths again  

Those thermal baths are wonderful (apart from the nakedness in the upstairs saunas) Anyway, wonderful warm bubbly water does wonders for chilly bones. I LOVE BUBBLES! Anyway, I'll paint you a little picture: we are swimming in the outside pools, with snow around the walkways and our heads in a blizzard.

I have to say this is one of the most bizzarely enjoyable experiences I've ever had. When your body is lovely and toasty (that's warm to you americans) and your head and shoulders are being spattered by icy snowflakes! And of course because the temperature of the water is about 34 degrees and the outside is below freezing, you are enveloped in swathes of steam, making it quite difficult to see much around you - but snow  We didn't think it would be open in all honesty, but those hardy swiss were there, toughing it out! At one point between pools I had to get out, walk over some steps to a different pool. What a strange experience it was to see a new sign there saying: careful, slippy ICE!! And yes, wearing a swimsuit, that air was a little chilly.......

Sadly, on the subject of cats, our garden is full of prowling, scenting cats now. I told you how the situation quickly changed after the loss of our lovely dog, didn't I? And is it me, or is everyone getting new puppies  But, those cats are everywhere. I'm very careful about feeding our birds now. So, I moved our bird-seeder closer to the house and away from the hidey-hedge-full-of-cats. I put out some bread, since it has been such a long cold winter. And guess what? All I can see now is cats eating the bread instead!! Munching away with delight. In that funny little hunched position of concentration they take. I certainly didn't know cats enjoyed bread?

I'm getting to know the knew gang of cats here now too. We have two toms, who look quite menacing, even to me. One is a ginger (they always are aren't they?) and the other is of grey pin-stripe. Then, we have one real 'lady' cat, who wonders around sniffing with what only can be described as elegance, since she seems to have grace in everything she does. She's such a sweety. She sits by my back door, hoping I'll let her in, even though I've chased her away twice. I'm sure she was quite affronted and confused by my unfriendly behaviour. She loves bread too, and looks a bit confused as to the real purpose of birds! She's growing on me rapidly. Even though, I am allergic to cats and rabbits, they seem to give me asthma.

It still amazes me how they knew so quickly that our dog was gone. Their sense of smell must be very acute, in that they must be able to recognize a 'stale turd'. Should I have put that more delicately??

I wish I could give you a photo of myself and my husband floating around at the thermal baths, like two Minke Wales. But, maybe that's picture enough............

Happy Springing  www.moorethanart.com

View me Jazz Singing and playing my Saxophone at my Tedx performance this April in Abu Dhabi. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az_YF_Qocfw  

My Art at www.moorethanart.com

For your Art enquires questions@moorethanart.com (All art sent with tracking and insurance via TNT in a postal tube).

Hey, I've missed you all.......Long time no see............and Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, I've been there and back to England for a long family hospital visit. Which went really well!! Thanks to Bristol hospital and all their great staff

Can't say hospitals are favourite places though. And my God, England was FREEZING! Well, we went from -9 in Switzerland to about zero, but it was MUCH colder in England - because of the dampness, which I didn't really realize until now. It really does creep into your clothes and skin and bones. Mind you, it has been one of the coldest years in Britain. But how pretty it all looked! All those antique cottages, great oaks and quaint villages covered in snow..........

I did have to buy a warmer coat for England though

We were then stuck at Luton airport for two days (not very scenic). Actually, we stayed in a business hotel.  A very nice business hotel - full of suits and laptops and long dinners. Love those buffet breakfasts! Don't they set you up for the day! It's amazing how much longer it takes you, to prepare all that for yourself, when you return home  I MISS ENGLISH FOOD. But my God the portions in England are HUGE. We get about half that amount here in Switzerland! Those plates are huge!

Anyway, we've returned home to good old Switzerland and guess what? SNOW and lots of it!! So, all in all, we've now had about 5/6 weeks of consistent snow. I never thought the day would come that I got tired of SNOW. But, I think mostly it reminds me of our lost doggy and his final difficult months, trying to navigate his failing body in the snow and ice. Not very helpful for a dog who has difficulty walking  So, I guess I'm a bit off snow at the moment. I'm sure I'll mellow in time.........

Hubby paid for 'speedy boarder' on easyjet. Doesn't that just make you laugh: that phrase 'speedy boarder'!! I don't see the difference anyway, everyone just bundles on anyway, elbowing their way to a seat. And watch those old ladies......with very dangerous elbows.

I can't find you a picture of England. I was a little preoccupied with hospital visits etc - walking up and down Bristol highstreet in the freezing cold to think of photos. I can describe the children's hospital, if you like: it was new and had this huge kind of sculpture outside. Are they giant teething rings?? Anyone??

Well, I'm far too arty not to find one small photo for my blog. It feels all wrong......so let's have a look......

Spring Hope Primroses.

This is our lovely old neighbour Margaret's garden in spring. Who very sadly passed away last year. She will always be remembered by us. Always chatting over the fence, putting up with my terrible french so patiently, and always giving us the fruit from her garden ( by the bucket load). Anyway, every spring these natural primroses would appear all over her garden, in all conceivable shades of pink, purple and yellow..........so beautiful, bobbing their heads in the trickling sunshine. 

It was always one of the first signs of spring to me. RIP Margaret and Axle.

View me Jazz Singing and playing my Saxophone at my Tedx performance this April in Abu Dhabi. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az_YF_Qocfw  

My Art at www.moorethanart.com

For your Art enquires questions@moorethanart.com (All art sent with tracking and insurance via TNT in a postal tube).