Too much to do...

Return to Basel... view from the train

2006-12-18T16:27:00.000+01:00

Kleine Scheidegg

2006-12-18T16:21:00.000+01:00

catching the bouquet

2006-12-18T15:47:00.000+01:00

On our way to Wengen

2006-12-18T14:59:00.000+01:00

A Perth digest

2005-10-23T04:18:00.000+02:00

Thought I'd post a few photos of the last few days. It's wonderful here, and I seem to average about 40 snaps per day. So here are the highlights:

Paper bark trees in Star Swamp by Watermans Bay

....tbc

First dip in the Indian Ocean

2005-10-19T03:43:00.000+02:00

After my first good nights sleep, I was ready for a dip in the ocean. My Aunt and Uncles place is wedged, 2 minutes walk, between the ocean and the bush. So when leaving their driveway, you need to decide LEFT to the ocean or RIGHT for the bush.

First steps into the ocean

Off for a snorkel

The bush, RIGHT, is in full spring bloom at the moment. The sound of birds (which all seem to look like parrots out of the Kinderzoo) fly overhead. Its lovely!

not so sunny Singapore

2005-10-18T10:47:00.000+02:00

Singapore was just as I remembered it - a quasi-English tropical paradise. Then came the rain. We were having a relaxing swim in the hotel pool when it started. It can really rain in Singapore!

But with the British die-hard weather attitude at the forefront of our minds, we set off into Singapore to try and keep ourselves awake for the rest of the day.

We needed an energy boost - sowe stopped for Chilli crab. Fantastic. As we are creatures of habit, we ended up at the same resturant as previously with Stefan.

Foggy day in Zürich

2005-10-15T11:45:00.000+02:00

I picked the right day to depart - it's a foggy day around Zürich airport, with a distinct chill in the air. I'm sure that the weather will be a shock when I return. Since waking this morning, I have been more excited than a 35 year old probably should be about jumping on a plane!

So, turned the oven off. Left a spare key with the poor husband of Cruella (don't even want to think about her snooping whilst I'm not there!)... and in great Pountney/Sturgess tradition, put some bleach down the loo. Got to keep the tradition alive I suppose!

Sunny Glarnerland pics

2005-10-13T20:45:00.000+02:00

I am like a kid with a new toy. Couldn't resist snapping away again at work today. At the moment the array of browns and greens of the mountains forests are spectacular. Even after 18 months of working in this valley, I never forget to look and admire the scenery.
I really should do some preparation and packing for Perth!!

Glarnerland test photos

2005-10-12T12:05:00.000+02:00

My camera is excellent...

...some of the lovely autumnal views outside my office window (too smug I know, sorry)

Preparing for Perth

2005-10-10T21:24:00.000+02:00

The countdown began for real today - my last Monday morning at work for a good six weeks! This time next week, I shall be on the other side of the world, and discovering what it is actually like to be called Steve in England or Klaus in Germany i.e. turning my head every 30 seconds in a crowd when somebody calls out my name. We'll see!

Too much going on at the moment to have time to blog it all. I think everybody I spoke to at work to day had a good weekend, with two days of lovely "Indan summer" 20oC temperatures. We had another classic weekend, managing to fit in canoeing, playing on the beach, out on our bikes, and even a last visit this season to the Kinderzoo (with a kiss from Beny!), concluded by a lovely evening (with homemade Singaporean curry) with friends in Zurich.

Today I was given the confirmation that my iBook would be repaired by Apple. This restored most of the faith I have in this excellent firm. To celebrate, I purchased a digital camera tonight (as I now don't have the looming cost of a new computer to think about).

After some discussion along with some very constructive advice from both friends and family (a special thanks to Pat!). I decided on the Konica Minolta X60. While the battery is charging, here is a photo of the camera itself! The woman in the shop described it as (very rough translation) "a small thing with a big punch" ...

...I can't wait to give it a good field test!

Glarnerland snow

2005-10-03T11:16:00.000+02:00

It was noticeably colder today as I was walking from the station to work. After the light dusting of snow late last week on the Glarnerland mountains, the snow is now here to stay.

Images of science

2005-09-28T22:05:00.000+02:00

I just found these amazing images from the "Visions of Science Photographic Awards" (sponsored by Novartis)

A grain of salt and a pepper corn

The surface tension of water supports a metal paperclip. By photographing it using a grille in front of the light source, the deformation of the water caused by the clip's weight can be seen

Katy's Birthday (1st) weekend

2005-09-28T18:42:00.000+02:00

I should qualify the title - not Katy's first Birthday (although she did get one special candle on her cake), but the first weekend over which we will be celebrating her birthday!

What a difference a day makes... I took Monday off work to help Katy celebrate her Birthday. We managed to fit so much into these three days, that I am only just recalling all that we did. Thankfully Katy's Mummy (as she is known to Alina), was on hand to capture most of the special moments, and as a picture is meant to speak a thousand words....

Delivering presents

The anticipation is almost too much

One of our meals on the balcony

Letting the meal do down

Paddling over to the beach in Schmerikon

Here we are...!

A few sandcastles later, there is a discussion on what to do next.

The men go off exploring...

...more photos to follow

I had a great weekend - I shall remember this one (amongst all the other classic ones) for a long time :-)

Learning a language

2005-09-23T12:37:00.000+02:00

Who said learning a foreign language wasn't fun?!
Unfortunately you need a spattering of both English and German to appreciate it fully (or of course a good dictionary and plenty of time :-) )

_________________________________________________________

Für alle Englisch Spezies: schön laut und pronounziert vortragen !
Englisch für Anfänger: (for beginners)

... Drei Hexen schauen sich drei Swatch Uhren an. Welche Hexe schaut welche Swatch Uhr an?

Und nun das Ganze in englischer Sprache !

... Three witches watch three swatch watches. Which witch watch which swatch watch? ...und bitte alles ohne "feuchte" Aussprache;-) (without wet
pronounciation)

Englisch für Fortgeschrittene: (advanced english)

... Drei geschlechtsumgewandelte Hexen schauen sich drei Swatch
Uhrenknöpfe an. Welche geschlechtsumgewandelte Hexe schaut sich welchen Swatch Uhrenknopf an?

...das Ganze wieder in englischer Sprache !

... Three switched witches watch three Swatch watch switches. Which switched witch watch which Swatch watch switch?

Englisch im Endstadium at the end)

Drei Schweizer Hexen-Schlampen, die sich wünschen geschlechtsumgewandelt zu sein, schauen sich schweizer Swatch Uhrenknöpfe an. Welche schweizer Hexen-Schlampe, die sich wünscht geschlechtsumgewandelt zu sein, schaut sich welche schweizer Swatch Uhrenknöpfe an?

...das ganze in Englisch:

... Three swiss witch-bitches, which wished to be switched swiss witch-bitches, wish to watch three swiss Swatch watch switches. Which swiss witch-bitch which wishes to be a switched swiss witch-bitch, wishes to watch which swiss Swatch watch switch?

The full Thomas Hood poem

2005-09-22T12:26:00.000+02:00

...by request :-)

Autumn
By Thomas Hood
1798-1845
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I SAW old Autumn in the misty morn
Stand shadowless like Silence, listening
To silence, for no lonely bird would sing
Into his hollow ear from woods forlorn,
Nor lowly hedge nor solitary thorn;--
Shaking his languid locks all dewy bright
With tangled gossamer that fell by night,
Pearling his coronet of golden corn.

Where are the songs of Summer?--With the sun,
Oping the dusky eyelids of the south,
Till shade and silence waken up as one,
And Morning sings with a warm odorous mouth.
Where are the merry birds?--Away, away,
On panting wings through the inclement skies,
Lest owls should prey
Undazzled at noonday,
And tear with horny beak their lustrous eyes.

Where are the blooms of Summer?--In the west,
Blushing their last to the last sunny hours,
When the mild Eve by sudden Night is prest
Like tearful Proserpine, snatch'd from her flow'rs
To a most gloomy breast.
Where is the pride of Summer,--the green prime,--
The many, many leaves all twinkling?--Three
On the moss'd elm; three on the naked lime
Trembling,--and one upon the old oak-tree!
Where is the Dryad's immortality?--
Gone into mournful cypress and dark yew,
Or wearing the long gloomy Winter through
In the smooth holly's green eternity.

The squirrel gloats on his accomplish'd hoard,
The ants have brimm'd their garners with ripe grain,
And honey bees have stored
The sweets of Summer in their luscious cells;
The swallows all have wing'd across the main;
But here the Autumn melancholy dwells,
And sighs her tearful spells
Amongst the sunless shadows of the plain.
Alone, alone,
Upon a mossy stone,
She sits and reckons up the dead and gone
With the last leaves for a love-rosary,
Whilst all the wither'd world looks drearily,
Like a dim picture of the drowned past
In the hush'd mind's mysterious far away,
Doubtful what ghostly thing will steal the last
Into that distance, gray upon the gray.

O go and sit with her, and be o'ershaded
Under the languid downfall of her hair:
She wears a coronal of flowers faded
Upon her forehead, and a face of care;--
There is enough of wither'd everywhere
To make her bower,--and enough of gloom;
There is enough of sadness to invite,
If only for the rose that died, whose doom
Is Beauty's,--she that with the living bloom
Of conscious cheeks most beautifies the light:
There is enough of sorrowing, and quite
Enough of bitter fruits the earth doth bear,--
Enough of chilly droppings for her bowl;
Enough of fear and shadowy despair,
To frame her cloudy prison for the soul!

Groundhog autumnal commute

2005-09-21T22:05:00.000+02:00

I saw old Autumn in the misty morn
Stand shadowless like silence, listening
To silence.

—Thomas Hood (1799–1845) "Ode: Autumn" (1827)
___________________________________________

I had a groundhog day experience on the train to work this morning. I can remember exactly the same time in autumn last year, and the autumnal feelings that it stirred up. The journey between Ueznach and Zeigelbrueke is across a flat bottomed valley. The air was still chilled, and a band of morning fog, formed from the night's still air, blanketed most of the grassed fields across the valley. There was no direct sun in the valley yet, as the sun had not reached the top of the other side of the ridge above me. This set the autumn scene perfectly by back lighting the sky with an pale orange glow, almost silhouetting the ridge underneath.

The change in the season was very evident in a dramatic yet silent way.

Little old lady wars

2005-09-21T19:40:00.000+02:00

Living in a Swiss "Hochhaus", there is never a dull moment.

Apart from a few noteworthy exceptions, the Swiss have got a pretty good grasp on communal living. There are a defined set of rules, which you learn slowly at your peril (more about the rules another time).

Even with these rules, you cannot escape the fact that there are 32 family sized flats in my building, which funnel through one front door and share 3 washing machine rooms in the cellar.

I am lucky with my neighbours. From the outset, my nearest neighbour, a widowed Austrian pensioner in her late 70's, told me that she likes to be neighbourly but didn't want to live on the doorstep (well I think that was what she was trying to say, maybe it all got lost in my bad translation). Over the last 18 months, she has been true to her word - she has been around to meet my parents, friends and family about half a dozen times, and I have been invited around about the same, and on several occasions, tried to convince her to not open a second bottle on my account! Apart from these visits, she has presented me with fresh fruit from her farming friends on a regular basis over two summers, and I have reciprocated with a bottle of Malt at Christmas.

Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed the daily bombardment from Little old lady wars. I thought I had the two sides clear - along with who is allied to who. But obviously not. Last week, Katy witnessed my Austrian neighbour entertaining Cruella de Ville (aptly Christened by Al) for practically the whole day, only leaving to walk my neighbour's dog. Were these the same people that have been very visibly (very un-Swiss) at each others throats for the preceding fortnight?

Tonight is my wash-night. This is my one opportunity for using one of the communal washing machines. I am therefore popping down to the cellar on a half hourly basis for the best part of the evening. Yes, I have got caught in the cross fire twice tonight. The truce is obviously not holding. I must admit that at the moment, the greatest incentive I have to understanding more Swiss-German is to enable me to get a handle on what is going on.

It goes without saying that I am allied to my neighbour - despite my lack of understanding of the background to it all. Alina for one wouldn't let me side with Cruella (Cruella spends half her life by the main entrance talking to the children). Everytime she sees Alina, Cruella tells me "I think she is warming to me". Everything is relative I suppose and I applaud Alina's good judge of character.

OK, next load of washing should be ready for the tumble dryer - better get out there: head down and "Guete Arrbigs" at the ready. Wish me luck :-)

Normal commuting

2005-09-19T21:57:00.000+02:00

I now no longer need to take 3 different trains to work. Well done SBB!

The track between Ueznach and Zeigelbrueke has been closed since the floods at the end of August. All the points seem to have been replaced at Zeigelbrueke (not bad going as it has got 10 platforms), and it reopened today. The picture below is not actually from my commute, but it gives you a good idea what they have had to tackle.

Over the last few weeks, I have missed my connection twice due to delays - which I think is pretty good going. Even on the day of the floods when there was complete chaos, SBB managed to lay on emergency buses, which meant it only took me 20 minutes longer than normal. I guess the downside to all this efficiency is the potential for "duvet days" due to inclement weather are practically non-existent!

Winter warmers

2005-09-19T17:50:00.000+02:00

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.
_____________________________________________

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.

Making the most of the hospitality

2005-09-16T14:00:00.000+02:00

It was more comfortable than my living room...

Beerable Stealth

2005-09-15T23:48:00.000+02:00

OK, just got back in after seeing perhaps the naffist film of my time in Switzerland --> Stealth.
I was however forewarned of this film's potential when I read this morning that 20 Minuten had given it a 1 star rating (which for 20 Minuten is a dire-dire warning).

I sat though a film which tried in vain to copy Stanley Kubrick's 2001, combined with a lethal mixture of Hollywood studio special effects with a storyline that George W. could follow (and perhaps even worse, would approve of). It ended up as comic entertainment in a very unintentional way.

Having said all this I had a super evening. Firstly the company (you know who you are), but secondly, the style in which I watched the movie (a picture will hopefully be posted tomorrow): electric reclining chair, waiter service for as much ice cream, crisps and popcorn (if you are that way inclined) that you can eat - but also FREE BEER (yes, FREE BEER). Can you imagine a deal like that in the UK?

Freiburg last Christmas

2005-09-14T22:05:00.000+02:00

I just noticed this pic from our trip to Freiburg last Christmas. Michael and I climbed the tower of the Munster, and were rewarded with the view and this impressive stone masonary...

Dralion - so that's what it means

2005-09-14T20:43:00.000+02:00

We're off to see Dralion this weekend - which I hope will live up to my expectations (I've been wanting to see Cirque du Soleil for about a decade!). Swissinfo gave me the answer as to where the name of the show comes from...

"Dralion:
From September 8 until October 16 in Wallisellen, Zurich, the famous Cirque du Soleil presents "Dralion", a fusion of ancient Chinese circus tradition and the avant-garde Cirque du Soleil. The show’s name is taken from its two main symbols: the dragon representing the East and the lion representing the West. www.dralion.com"

I must remember to take the sun-bleached tickets off the fridge door before we go. They were ordered so long ago now that they are almost a component part of the kitchen :-)

A few geometric illusions to trick your brain

2005-09-14T20:03:00.000+02:00

Here are some geometric illusions from an excellent (free) online database. The database is the Visual Perception Library, http://viperlib.york.ac.uk which was co-created by a great guy I used to Juggle with in York.

Enjoy! :-)

(and as I haven't contacted you yet - thanks Rob, very cool work).

In the Zollner illusion, these long lines are really parallel

Do the blue lines twist up and down like a water flow? This illusion is mainly due to lateral inhibition. (Apparent motion.)

The image appears to be moving before your eyes due to the fact your lens is not perfectly round so not all of the image can be seen sharp. The result of this is that the eye constantly makes small movements

How fast can you get to our German office?

2005-09-14T12:11:00.000+02:00

Glad to hear that he has a good pair of brakes. Shameless behaviour, not to mention the cost in petrol :-)

There has to be a beginning....

2005-09-13T21:08:00.000+02:00

Do lots of people start a blog with big intentions that lots of people will read it, and hopefully continue to read it with interest? Yes, probably I guess. For one I hope that this is the start of a regular broadcast, i.e. it's a one way blog, but hopefully it does not get to the stage where my daughter reads this in 10 years time and thinks it is all sooo embarassing. Only time will tell!