July trips

July trips Fort l'ecluse, Murten, Ch�teaux d'Allinges.

Peter with our babysitter Malika		A day trip to the Fort l'ecluse, in Leaz, France. It's a neat little fort that has been destroyed and rebuild multiple times over the centuries, this one is from the 1800's.


The roller gates were still functional		They had a special kids day when we were there - free admission, plus the kids got to make sundials, do a treasure hunt using radio transmitters, see solar flares on telescopes, AND learn how to do morse code. It wasn't very well advertised, so there were few other kids. The volunteers helping out were very friendly.


Kenny with the radio reciever		He finds his first transmitter


Windows were tunneled through about 2 meters of rock. It must have been mainly for air, because not much light could have gotten through.		This is where the ammunition was kept.


There were also some art installations, with things like these - cardboard chairs, artsy maps


Trying to find the solar flare		Kenny, transmitting morse code


The road now goes through a tunnel right next to the fort, but it used to go straight through the fort until the 1930's		We undertook the long, ardous climb up almost 1000 steps to the upper fort. And it's mostly locked off! There's this little area where you get a tiny view, but overall it was rather disappointing


There's still quite a few areas to explore - check out this well		Day trip to Murten. It's a cute old walled village, and the tourist office offered a fun kids treasure hunt that occupied most of our time there. Here Kenny is showing off his treasure hunt booklet


Walking on the tower walls





We brought a picnic lunch and ate at this fountain		Kenny figuring out another clue





The final destination of the treasure hunt - this tower that had lots of cannonball damage		Murten from the lake


On the way home, we stopped at a World War I fort. Basically all that's left are some tunnels in the sandstone that kids love running through


		Kenny had fun making this lego car with his dad


Massive crowds of people to see a singer in Parc La Grange. Only about one tenth of these people were even able to see the performers at all		Visiting Ch�teaux d'Allinges in France, and Thonon. The castle was pretty much in ruins, but very picturesque





		We also had a view from the ruins of this very stagnant looking pool


		The kids had the most fun trying unsuccessfully to catch lizards











This little chapel had the remnants of a fresco from the 11th century