Sailing

2023-06-25T17:48:32+02:00

Switzerland is a very small country with 208 mountains over 3000m and 24 mountains over 4000 meters. 70% of the country is hilly. Many rivers have their source in these mountain areas. That is why Switzerland also has over 1500 lakes (small and big).

In Switzerland sailing is a hobby that quite a few people are enjoying.

The biggest sailing school is on lake Thun, in Hilterfingen.  It offers a basic course over 4 days. From day one people are paired up and go out in a sailing school boat to try out sailing fully hands on. Instructors are nearby on motorboats and keep an eye on the newbies.

Sailing2023-06-25T17:48:32+02:00

Winter Wonderland

2022-01-22T21:58:17+01:00

Even though omicron is raging through the country it seems hardly anyone is dying from it. And there are no restrictions on going outside.

In the lowland there is not much snow left. So recently we decided to go higher up back into the winter season and enjoy the snow and sun.

A safe bet is the Niederhorn (above lake Thun) that is open all year round. Going up from the bottom to the top (at 1950m) takes only about 30’ by cable car.

We strolled along a safe path and looked down into the valley below. Then taking the sledge it is fun to glide down to the middle station in the village of Beatenberg.

Winter Wonderland2022-01-22T21:58:17+01:00

Euro Soccer Cup 2021

2021-07-05T17:17:12+02:00

This summer Europe was glued to the screen due to exciting euro soccer matches. This year the Swiss team, which has been rather unspectacular turned out to be a big surprise.

On June 28 in Bucharest the Swiss had to play against France, the winner of the previous euro cup! The game almost ended with 3 goals for France and only 2 for Switzerland. But then in the very last minute of the game the Swiss scored another goal. Suddenly there was a tie: 3:3. What a cliffhanger game! In the ensuing 11m shoot out the Swiss scored a 5:4 victory  over France. The Swiss rose to incredible quarter-finals.

On July 2 in Petersburg (Russia) the Swiss team then had to face famous Spanish team. After the virtually impossible victory against the French the Swiss had high hopes that we might even be able defeat Spain as well. With a 1:1 the Swiss indeed were able to achieve another tie with Spain! In the 11m shootout the Swiss team lost 3-1. But the Swiss team had achieved the almost impossible and has been proudly celebrated upon their return home.

Euro Soccer Cup 20212021-07-05T17:17:12+02:00

Corona and Winter Sports

2020-12-23T18:25:46+01:00

Over the Christmas season many people love to go up into the mountains for a day of skying. This year however, due the the corona pandemic some cantons have closed their sky resorts. The bigger cantons such as Bern, Valais and Graubünden are still open!

Due to the corona epidemic the intensive care units in the Swiss hospitals have reached up to 80% of their capacity. Winter sports accidents add to the strain that hospitals are already experiencing due to corona.

Up till now (Christmas season) Switzerland has reported a total of 410’000 infected people and about 6900 deaths. The second wave has hit Europa badly and affected Switzerland very much as well. Our country is again back into a semi-lockdown. Shops are open, but restaurants are closed. Masks are mandatory in all public areas. People are encouraged to stay at home. The Christmas celebrations within the wider families should be limited.

The hope is that spring with warmer weather (and less indoor activities) as well as vaccinations will help to slow down and finally defeat the virus. 

Corona and Winter Sports2020-12-23T18:25:46+01:00

The Niesen

2020-07-25T16:16:50+02:00

With an altitude of 2362m this mountain towers above lake Thun which is only at 558m. The shape of the mountain looks like a pyramid and is really very prominent. To get to the top there are several options!

The easiest one is to take the cable train. The ride takes only 20’. A return trip costs CHF 59.- / adult.

Another great option is to go up to the middle station and then hike up to the top. The scenic hike takes a good 3 hours and is really spectacular. But it’s only recommendable for people who are rather sporty and not afraid of heights.

On top there is a nice restaurant serving reasonably priced Swiss food and a great area for kids to play.

The Niesen2020-07-25T16:16:50+02:00

FIFA Soccer World Cup

2018-07-03T21:53:36+02:00

The Soccer World Cup is a huge event taking place from mid June to mid July at different locations in Russia. There are 32 countries represented through their teams, each fighting to win the cup. There are many public viewing areas where all the games can be watched.

From a Swiss perspective the cup is over by today (July 3). The Swiss soccer team just lost against the Swedes 0:1. Now they are out of the games and will fly home.

On June 17 the Swiss team fought and ended with a tie against Brazil (1:1) and won against the Serbs on June 22 with a 2:1. On June 27 the Swiss team again finished with a tie of 2:2 vs Costa Rica. There were high hopes that the Swiss would actually make it past the Swedes into the quarter finals. But alas, today their hopes were bitterly dashed.

The Swiss have a very international team with most players coming from a migrational background but raised in this country. This also led to a hot controversy when earlier on the Swiss fought the Serbs who especially taunted the Swiss players with a Kosovar family background. At the end of the game two exasperated Kosovo Swiss player used their hands to make the Kosovar double eagle symbol thus taunting the Serbs celebrating their victory. Many Swiss disliked this gestured from the two Kosovar Swiss team members which led to a huge contraversy whether those players were true Swiss or not. However reality is that Switzerland isn’t a homogenous country anymore and as such probably has never been one.

FIFA Soccer World Cup2018-07-03T21:53:36+02:00

Olympic Winter Games 2018

2018-02-27T18:15:17+01:00

The Olympic winter games took place from February 9-25 in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The tensions between North and South Korea were high leading up to the games. During the games both countries took part under the name of Korea! The North Korean cheerleaders really impressed the world with their powerful performances.

The games were truly international: 92 nations took part in 102 events. The games featured 15 different sports such as snowboarding, alpine skiing, curling, speed skating etc

The absolute winner was Norway with a total number of 38 medals (gold, silver or bronze), followed by Germany 28, Canada 29, USA 23, Holland 20, Sweden 12, and Switzerland along with Korea 15 each.

Switzerland has a new crew of excellent young sports athletes. The goal had been 11+ medals. Our young athletes brought home 15 medals: 5 gold (see picture), 6 silver and 4 bronze medals.

The next Olympic winter games will take place in Beijing in 2022. Watch out for the Swiss!

Olympic Winter Games 20182018-02-27T18:15:17+01:00

The Verzasca Valley

2017-11-25T16:55:50+01:00

The river Verzasca flows through a beautiful valley down into the lake Maggiore on the Ticino side (Italian speaking part) of Switzerland. Huge boulders are sitting in the middle of the river and many deep natural pools invite for a bath. During the warmer season it is wonderful to enjoy the pleasure of exploring the river. We suggest that you find a quiet spot for a couple of hours of „dolce fa niente“ (translation of the Italian: enjoying the sweetness of doing nothing).

Further down the Verzasca valley is one of the higher water dams of our country. The dam stows the lake Vogorno. The water that rushes through pipelines into 4 turbines at the bottom creates about 230 GWh per year. The dam was finished in 1965. It became famous through a scene of the James Bond movie „Goldeneye“ (1995) where Bond bungee jumped 220m down the wall of the dam. Even now visitors can follow in Bond’s tracks and bungee jump 220m down the same wall.

The Verzasca Valley2017-11-25T16:55:50+01:00

Roger Federer

2017-08-09T17:31:40+02:00

The famous Swiss tennis star Roger Federer just won his historic 8th championship in Wimbledon. With this victory he officially becomes one the best sports stars of the world.

1981 Roger Federer was born in the city of Basel. Federer speaks Swiss German with an accent of Basel. His father is a Swiss while his mother is from South Africa. He holds both the Swiss and the South African citizenship. He grew up in the area of Basel, close to the French and German borders and speaks German, English and French fluently, while Swiss German is his native language.

Federer is married to Mirka, also a former tennis pro who had to retire from her sports career due to a foot injury. The Federers have two sets of identical twins: in 2009 two girls and in 2014 two boys.

Federer has quite some philanthropic side. The Roger Federer Foundation supports disadvantaged children to promote their access to education and sports.

Federer has won numerous titles be it in the US, UK, Davis Cup, Australia Open , Spain, China and many other countries. He has a great fan audience and is really liked for his excellence in sports and has a wonderful character.

Roger Federer2017-08-09T17:31:40+02:00

Sommer Days

2017-06-22T14:49:39+02:00

End of June suddenly the summer has arrived in full strength. Temperatures during the day are up 32-33°C. In some areas there were even warnings issued for elderly people to be careful and not get too exposed to the heat. At the same time many people just enjoy the sun, the warmth and the cool water.

The lake of Thun is usually a cold lake. Meanwhile it has reached 21°C! What a thrill to swim in a cool like and look around at the beautiful mountains.

The Aare river flows also through Thun, Bern and many cities and villages later on joins the Rhein and crosses through Basel into Germany. All along this magnificent river people jump into the water and float along for a while. The second picture is a scene from Basel….

However swimming in a river takes quite some confidence in your swimming skills. It is dangerous because the river flows at quite a high speed and entering it as well as leaving it takes some skill. Every year some people drown since they underestimate the power of the river.

Many villages and cities run their public swimming pools. So young and old flock into these areas and enjoy a time out in the water or the green surroundings.

Yesterday we went to a local, small natural lake (Moossee). The water temperature was at 27°C! What a thrill at 8pm to swim towards the sunset and then back again. Also such places have a safe area for kids or people who are not safe swimmers.

Sommer Days2017-06-22T14:49:39+02:00

Minigolf

2017-08-03T12:14:27+02:00

Miniature golf, or mini golf is quite popular in Switzerland. It has been around since about the 60ies and is is a great  group activity.  Often the mini golf course is also set in a nice area, such as here! And there are lot’s of mini golf courses all over the country.

In comparison with regular golf the mini golf course is packed unto a very small surface. In Switzerland the courses are usually made of concrete. It also has a series of holes (18) but it’s length is only about 10 meters each. The mini golf courses up and down the country are usually the same. So if you are able to perform well on one you should be doing well on all others too.

As a rule each person just uses one club and one ball. For each hole six attempts are allowed. The goal is reached when the ball drops into the hole hopefully with less than 6 strokes. The player who at the end has the least points wins!

This inexpensive activity is just wonderful on a day off together with your friends. Some families also appreciate to take their kids out and away from all the electronic temptations. In the end it is not so much the score that counts but rather the fun of all playing together happily teasing each other!

Minigolf2017-08-03T12:14:27+02:00

Stockhorn

2017-01-25T11:45:48+01:00

These days there is a lot of fog hanging over the Swiss Midlands. However the sun is easily accessible. There are many peaks that stick out of the fog. One that is easily accessible with a great view is the Stockhorn. You make it to the top with a cable railway departing from Erlenbach, down below.

The Stockhorn reaches only 2190m. But it is the peak that stands high above the the Swiss Midlands. From the Stockhorn you can look across to the Niesen and further on to the famous three: Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Down below is lake Thun, the city of Thun and in the other direction Berne is clearly seen too. On the horizon when the view is clear the Jura and even the Schwarzwald in Germany can be seen.

The Stockhorn is a great outing in summer and winter. It is not an international famous tourist destination. The Jungfrau and the Schilthorn are much more famous. However the Stockhorn, the Niesen and the Niederhorn are all wonderful kind of 2nd class outings, that can easily become first class experiences too.

What I really like about the Stockhorn is the new platform that is accessible through a tunnel from station at the top. The platform hangs over the abyss and gives and incredible view into the Midlands.

At the middle station (Chrindi, at 1642m) it is worth to interrupt your journey and stroll down to the mountain lake in the valley just below. During warmer times you are a little more sporty hike up to the top station. There are numerous paths leading up, some of them quite thrilling and all of them really rewarding!

Right now that mountain lake is frozen. An activity that is offered is ice fishing. You can rent the needed equipment, drill a hole and try to catch the largest fish.

Stockhorn2017-01-25T11:45:48+01:00
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