Winter warmers
I've spent the day reminiscing about another wonderful weekend. We ended up doing loads, despite (or possibly because of) the weather. So here is a rundown:
Saturday
I'd watched the weekend weather forecast like a hawk during the week, so I knew what to expect: north-east Switzerland was losing the Foehn wind (which brings lovely warm dry winds, but many of the locals have a different opinion: see Foehn Winds, below), which would make way for overcast skies on Saturday and Sunday.
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Foehn Winds
Foehn winds in the lowlands of northern Switzerland seem to have many effects (1). It is a dry, relatively warm wind that promotes forest fires. It is said to affect animals and people as well. Cattle are turned off their feed, and people are more likely to suffer tension, migraine and even coronary attacks. Suicides and traffic accidents increase in number, perhaps because of a rise of certain hormones during foehn winds. However, solid scientific evidence of the alleged effects is missing.
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Escaping for a last camping trip to Locarno was out of the question as we had tickets for Cirque de Soleil in the evening (sorry if that sounded smug) - so we decided to use our GA's and get out and see a bit more of north-east Switzerland. We ended up in Chur (pronouned koor). Realising just how chill it was when we got off the train, we did a quick tour of the town, which included my favourite Koor shop, and decided to get back on a warm train and check out the ski restort of Arosa.
I had read that the train journey up to Arosa was spectacular, but the start was a little surreal. We climbed aboard the Arosa Express OUTSIDE the station. This narrow gauge railway crawls tram-like through the roads of Chur, before spending a hour snaking up to Arosa, which is an impressive 1200m higher up than Chur. The Rough Guide was right again, the journey was spectacular - chocolate box Switzerland without tourists. Unfortunately, just as we arrived in Arosa, we entered cloud. Getting off the train, the first thing we did was check when the next train back down to Chur departed! We had a quicker scoot around Arosa than we had done in Chur - had the traditional Kebab and beer :-) - and got off the mountain. The journey down was just as spectacular and we both promised to return (with a camera!)
We'd left enough time to get back to Rappi for baked butternut squash - so now we were left in no doubt that autumn had now arrived.
Later on we headed into Zuerich for Dralion. I had high expectations about this show - but even then, I vastly underestimated the skill of these performers. It goes without saying that for me the juggler stole the show. I am convinced I saw (amongst other tear rendering tricks) a 5 ball multiplex start (into a 5 ball cascade) --> incredible :-) But, the trampolines, acrobats, gymnasts and even the clowns were excellent. This is a show not to be missed!
Sunday
We kinda guessed from the weather that most non-English people would be less than enthusiastic about a 15km Sunday ridge walk. This didn't stop us - so with full waterproofs we set off to walk from Dielsdorf along the Laegern ridge to Baden. I had done this walk before some 18 months ago (in the winter!). I was looking forward to it two-fold. Firstly, it's a lovely ridge with glimpses of impressive views. Secondly, it was good to reflect on my changes in circumstances since I did the walk last. To remember the uncertainty that I had about my situation in Switzerland back then, to the riches which I appreciate daily today. Oh yes...and we remembered to take the camera with us!
The route is the start of the 200km Jura Hoehenweg, and if the first stretch is anything to go by, we should plan to do the rest of the trail soon. The first village we came to was Regensberg, a lovely 13 Century castle walled village, with a cobbled square.
After our "cold in Chur" experiences from the day before, we had been more careful about our winter warmers - but I guess the first chill in autumn always takes you by surprise - and we walked quickly to keep warm, hence the action shot:
We stopped for lunch by this impressive golf ball, and used up a fraction of it's bandwidth to prematurely gloat to our fairweather friends what a clear day it was (not wanting to rub it in too much, just in case they withdrew their offer of home cooked Sunday roast).
Unfortunately, we were not so quick off the mark with the camera a bit further down the ridge (the narrower rocky bit of it). We were amazed (stifled laughter) to see a family scrambling towards us pulling their Grandmother along by a rope. It seemed to serve absolutely no purpose, other than for the other members of the family to trip over. Having said that, I am quite sure that the person tugging at the other end was the son-in-law. So he was probably getting quite a lot of satisfaction from pulling her along (at this point, the Buddhist principles to which I aspire to, prevent me from drawing any personal comparisons).
We arrived in Baden in good time without a spot of rain and walked through to the old town. I ended up being crowned for my endeavours on the tricky ridge (and perhaps for not mentioning that the White Rose should also have been teathered on the ridge!)
We rightly rejected a pint in Mr Pickwicks, prefering a beer from the kiosk and more time in Zuerich with our friends. Good company and great food were the perfect conclusion to the weekend.
Saturday
I'd watched the weekend weather forecast like a hawk during the week, so I knew what to expect: north-east Switzerland was losing the Foehn wind (which brings lovely warm dry winds, but many of the locals have a different opinion: see Foehn Winds, below), which would make way for overcast skies on Saturday and Sunday.
______________________________________________
Foehn Winds
Foehn winds in the lowlands of northern Switzerland seem to have many effects (1). It is a dry, relatively warm wind that promotes forest fires. It is said to affect animals and people as well. Cattle are turned off their feed, and people are more likely to suffer tension, migraine and even coronary attacks. Suicides and traffic accidents increase in number, perhaps because of a rise of certain hormones during foehn winds. However, solid scientific evidence of the alleged effects is missing.
_____________________________________________
Escaping for a last camping trip to Locarno was out of the question as we had tickets for Cirque de Soleil in the evening (sorry if that sounded smug) - so we decided to use our GA's and get out and see a bit more of north-east Switzerland. We ended up in Chur (pronouned koor). Realising just how chill it was when we got off the train, we did a quick tour of the town, which included my favourite Koor shop, and decided to get back on a warm train and check out the ski restort of Arosa.
I had read that the train journey up to Arosa was spectacular, but the start was a little surreal. We climbed aboard the Arosa Express OUTSIDE the station. This narrow gauge railway crawls tram-like through the roads of Chur, before spending a hour snaking up to Arosa, which is an impressive 1200m higher up than Chur. The Rough Guide was right again, the journey was spectacular - chocolate box Switzerland without tourists. Unfortunately, just as we arrived in Arosa, we entered cloud. Getting off the train, the first thing we did was check when the next train back down to Chur departed! We had a quicker scoot around Arosa than we had done in Chur - had the traditional Kebab and beer :-) - and got off the mountain. The journey down was just as spectacular and we both promised to return (with a camera!)
We'd left enough time to get back to Rappi for baked butternut squash - so now we were left in no doubt that autumn had now arrived.
Later on we headed into Zuerich for Dralion. I had high expectations about this show - but even then, I vastly underestimated the skill of these performers. It goes without saying that for me the juggler stole the show. I am convinced I saw (amongst other tear rendering tricks) a 5 ball multiplex start (into a 5 ball cascade) --> incredible :-) But, the trampolines, acrobats, gymnasts and even the clowns were excellent. This is a show not to be missed!
Sunday
We kinda guessed from the weather that most non-English people would be less than enthusiastic about a 15km Sunday ridge walk. This didn't stop us - so with full waterproofs we set off to walk from Dielsdorf along the Laegern ridge to Baden. I had done this walk before some 18 months ago (in the winter!). I was looking forward to it two-fold. Firstly, it's a lovely ridge with glimpses of impressive views. Secondly, it was good to reflect on my changes in circumstances since I did the walk last. To remember the uncertainty that I had about my situation in Switzerland back then, to the riches which I appreciate daily today. Oh yes...and we remembered to take the camera with us!
The route is the start of the 200km Jura Hoehenweg, and if the first stretch is anything to go by, we should plan to do the rest of the trail soon. The first village we came to was Regensberg, a lovely 13 Century castle walled village, with a cobbled square.
After our "cold in Chur" experiences from the day before, we had been more careful about our winter warmers - but I guess the first chill in autumn always takes you by surprise - and we walked quickly to keep warm, hence the action shot:
We stopped for lunch by this impressive golf ball, and used up a fraction of it's bandwidth to prematurely gloat to our fairweather friends what a clear day it was (not wanting to rub it in too much, just in case they withdrew their offer of home cooked Sunday roast).
Unfortunately, we were not so quick off the mark with the camera a bit further down the ridge (the narrower rocky bit of it). We were amazed (stifled laughter) to see a family scrambling towards us pulling their Grandmother along by a rope. It seemed to serve absolutely no purpose, other than for the other members of the family to trip over. Having said that, I am quite sure that the person tugging at the other end was the son-in-law. So he was probably getting quite a lot of satisfaction from pulling her along (at this point, the Buddhist principles to which I aspire to, prevent me from drawing any personal comparisons).
We arrived in Baden in good time without a spot of rain and walked through to the old town. I ended up being crowned for my endeavours on the tricky ridge (and perhaps for not mentioning that the White Rose should also have been teathered on the ridge!)
We rightly rejected a pint in Mr Pickwicks, prefering a beer from the kiosk and more time in Zuerich with our friends. Good company and great food were the perfect conclusion to the weekend.
posted by Bruce at
5:50 pm
