And we're off!

Day 1 - Success!

Distance: 12.5 km ( and then a few more in the afternoon)

Start: Vienna centre

End: Lobau (bused back to Vienna to sleep)

Playgrounds played in: 2

We were all excited to head out this morning and Sophia literally ran the first kilometre. It was a beautiful walk through town, through a big park, and then right along the Danube. The scooter was a big hit: it definitely made things more exciting for the kids and also meant we kept up a good pace, finishing our walking in about three and a half hours including a few play and rest stops. The bicyclists made us a little nervous but we found out later it was a public holiday today so hopefully it was higher bicycle traffic than usual. 

Treats are a big part of our strategy (they're not bribes in the same way Smarts are not homework). Tamar has been stockpiling various goodies and today the girls eagerly received a dry-erase slateboard, which they filled and refilled with doodles and games. We searched for spruce trees (Aurora wants to try spruce gum), scooted down a long spiral ramp, and looked for fish in the Danube. Tova was a great strollermate and put Zadie to sleep. Even the weather cooperated, with only one small shower midday. 

We thought we would be slower so we had the afternoon to walk around in Vienna - it was nice to get an unexpected encore. We found a playground with the best zip line any of us had seen; happened across OPEC headquarters on the very day of their annual summit; and wandered aimlessly in the city's lovely architecture. What a perfect city to start our walk in!

Five adventurers

Zadie's millionth kiss

Swing time ;)