Zermatt and the Matterhorn

We got our act together, booked a hotel (Hotel Couronne), packed and were on the train that left here just after 10am yesterday. Took us three trains and nearly three and a half hours but just before 1.30pm we arrived in Zermatt. Glorious, mild, clear day...perfect view of the Matterhorn. Checked into our hotel (we had a Junior Suite and Mum and Dad had a double, both with a fantastic view of the Matterhorn and balcony) then went to lunch. Long lunch at the Sports Club (chosen because of the playground right next door) sitting outside. Afterwards we wandered round Zermatt (not big) till it got chilly and we returned to the hotel. After a while (and a bottle of red MK bought along) we ordered some takeaway from the restaurant attached to the hotel for the girls, and Dad and MK went and got pizza and salad for us. After we bathed the girls in Mum and Dad's room, we returned to our room where the girls fell quickly asleep (especially CPK) and MK and I enjoyed our pizza in peace.

This morning was clear enough but the clouds shifted in mid afternoon. We had a lovely breakfast in the hotel conservatory with stunning surround views. Once we could drag ourselves away (it took a ca-ca nappy from CPK) we caught a cable car then a gondola to Trockener Steg. This was nearly 3000 metres and we were told not to go any higher than this because of Charlotte (being under three years old). This was still high enough and had a good view of the Matterhorn although there was high cloud that hung around. We spent some time outside on the terrace then went in for lunch. We spent ages here eventually leaving just after 1.30pm. Charlotte had a sleep in my arms on the way down.

When we got back to Zermatt we returned to the hotel, re-packed our coats, scarves and gloves and the porter drove us to the train station. We stored our bags and had one last look round Zermatt. Caught the 3.30pm train out of there and after three trains we were home by 7pm.

The kids did well over the two days although Charlotte had a melt-down on one of the trains (the first one from Zermatt to Visp) and an older woman asked me (pleasantly enough) to take her out somewhere else. Well, she copped a mouthful from three of us! Dad said why don't you leave? MK said something to her (like we didn't have far to go) and I asked her if she was a a parent! Well, her and her friend (female) did leave but I don't think they were impressed at all. I wondered afterwards what was the right thing to do. I was doing my best to calm CPK but was having no luck and she was screaming very loud. Maybe another more proactive parent would have gone into to the in-between carriages section. If nothing else to change the scenery in hope of a change of behaviour. So maybe she had a point. But it struck a nerve (and not just with me) and we stayed. And CPK eventually settled and resumed being happy and cute. I really don't like being told what to do, no one does. Maybe that was the point. And someone has told me there is a police officer in every Swiss.

Home now, kids in bed and getting ready for making an early morning batch of Mixed Berry Buttermilk Muffins (an order that came through while we were on the train in Zermatt waiting to leave this afternoon) and thinking about which cookies to take into David tomorrow...there was a request for peanut butter so I'll check my spreadsheet to see what I've made in the past.