Snow, Sausages and Blue Tractors

Back again.

Yesterday we went into Zurich to get me a proper (warm and ideally smart as well) winter coat and boots (smart, ideally warm) and had lunch at a very traditional Swiss restaurant: 

http://www.zeughauskeller.ch. 

Paul had been there with work earlier this week and had very excitedly told me about the decor (artillery throughout the times; on a sign in the entrance hall it said: 'No smoking, live artillery' above something that, to me, looked like grenades) and the large selection of sausages with potatoes in all shapes and forms. One of their specialities is a meter long sausage served on a wooden plank. We didn't go for that but chose a platter with a mix of six different sausages on a spit, potato salad, rösti and sauerkraut. We also had beer. This was the perfect meal on a day which started out a little bit chilly and ended up covering Zurich in snow including my uncovered head and hands. Must buy a hat next and start wearing my gloves. But mission coat and boots was succesful.

It's still snowing and absolutely gorgeous as evidenced below! 

A double-decker train, probably from the airport going to Zurich HB (central station). To the left of the 'rounded' building on the right in the back, there's an outdoor ice rink which we're going to try out soon. It won't be pretty but hopefully it'll be lots of fun. 

I'd also like to share a picture of my hiking boots:

We seem to spend a lot of time purchasing items of clothing and footwear for the outdoors and I'm now becoming rather (too?) familiar with the insides of Swiss sport shops. Of which there are many! They're actually quite fascinating and usually pretty busy. The selection of products span from snowboards, harness for climbing (must get one of those), helmets for: skiing, cycling, water-sports; sticks and pucks for icehockey; thermal underwear; tents; camping tools; gloves for all occasions etc. Work has arranged a two day skiing trip to Flims next year, so I'll need to get a skiing jacket; appropriate trousers; as well as warm underwear and socks as a minimum. I've had to dedicate a shelf (a small one, but still) to the sports clothes and shoes I've bought so far. 

Peculiarity of the week:

Add in Oerlikon train station. 

It's time to wrap up warm and go for a walk in this year's first snow! (Not sure what happened to autumn...)

Lots of love,

Karen