Gruezi Mitenand

2007 was a year which changed our lives. When Mr B got himself an amazing job nr Zurich we had many plans. We'd rent out our house in Milton Keynes (we like to call it Buckinghamshire) and I'd be able to finally give up work for a while.

I didn't particularly fancy Switzerland to be honest, my German was always at the ''My name is Betty and I am 14 years old'' kind of level, not too useful as you approach 40, but the idea was I'd have loads of freedom to fanny around Europe and nip back to the UK when I got homesick. Then I found out I was pregnant. And that fucked those plans.

We emigrated, rented our home, I gave up my job and gave birth. All in the space of 3 months. And I was stuck in the new apartment, largely unable to speak the lingo, with a newborn who looked not unlike Gollum and a pair of huge, leaky, stabby tits for company. It wasn't the move I'd imagined.

We've come a long way in two and a half years. We're still here, I have made some lovely friends and can argue the toss in German now. The folks are as mad as their cheese (which is why I've chosen to blog - you've GOT to hear this stuff) but there are a core who are delightful. Best bit? We're getting to travel and see the beauty of the place. It's truly gorgeous, in a WOWZA way. Here's a view from our kitchen window...

This will do for now.