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Shooting in Switzerland

2025-04-03T20:03:13+02:00

In our country military service is compulsory for all healthy males up to their mid thirties. If they don’t want to serve in the army, they can choose civil service thats last longer.

Every year in spring those who are still active in the army have go and shoot their army weapon to keep up a basic skill level. They are also to join the ranks for a three week repetition course. And all keep their weapons at home.

In almost every village there is a shooting range (run by an association) that often dates back about a 150 years. The one in our area was founded in 1866. In 1921 they then built a new shooting range with a restaurant that is part of it.

From spring until autumn every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning the people who shoot pistols can practice on a 25m range. Those who shoot the army gun use it on 300m, but only on Saturday. Their range is across a small valley with a road that leads right underneath it. These folks really just enjoy sport shooting and have some freedom in the choice of guns.

Wednesday evening is really nice, because after shooting quite a few people like to hang out together have some food and drink in the restaurant that is just open then. It’s a friendly and welcoming bunch.

Shooting in Switzerland2025-04-03T20:03:13+02:00

The Bütschelegg

2025-03-25T18:40:06+01:00

The Bütschelegg is a restaurant that is quite well known in the area. It is run by a team of Tamils and Swiss. It offers a wide range of foods (local and more Asian) for a reasonable price. Adjacent to the restaurant is a big play ground. So during the warmer season families sit outside and their kids are playing safely nearby. Often a bigger number of horses are grazing nearby.

The restaurant by car is about 30’ away from the city of Berne in a very rural area with an incredible view towards the Aare valley, and beyond with lake Thun and the whole mountain scenery in the South, and the rolling hills of the Jura the North West.

It is advisable to make a reservation before planing to eat there.

The Bütschelegg2025-03-25T18:40:06+01:00

The Wierihorn

2025-02-19T15:28:35+01:00

Only 40’ away from Berne is a small low-budget ski resort called Wierihorn at an altitude of 1000m. It is an ideal place for beginners with a gentle slope and a ski school for people wanting to take lessons.

Those who are a little more aspiring can go up to 1700m where the snow quality is better and the tracks a bit more demanding.

At an altitude of about 1000m at present (mid February) there isn’t that much snow left. The tracks are artificially reinforced with snow produced by snow cannons.

The Wierihorn2025-02-19T15:28:35+01:00

45 – 47

2025-01-21T21:12:03+01:00

On January 20, 2025 Mr Trump was again installed as the new president of the US. President Trump, in his inaugural speech made many promises. Even if only half of those are fulfilled it will be a radical turnaround for the US.

He promised, that the US would again enter a golden age. He would deal with the hordes of aliens crossing the borders, he would impose stiff tariffs on other nations’ imports and he would cut government expenses by firing many of the employees. President Trump vowed to leave the WHO and proclaimed, that from today there would only be two sexes recognized and that he would get ride of any woke agenda.

It was amazing to see the wealthiest tech people of the US such as Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook and Elon Musk in his close orbit during the ceremony.

The influence of a now much stronger President Trump will reverberate all across the globe and will also have an impact on Switzerland. How big the impact will be and what exactly it will impact is still hard to predict – but things will also be affected here – hopefully some for the better and probably some for worse.

45 – 472025-01-21T21:12:03+01:00

Christmas Concert

2024-12-11T12:08:45+01:00

During the time of Advent (the four Sundays leading up to Christmas) the whole country gets into a Christmas mood: shops sell Christmas gifts, decorations, chocolates and small fur trees.

This is also the season for beautiful concerts.

I attended a concert at the „Peace“ church in Bern. The church choir was performing, enhanced with a chamber orchestra and 4 soloists.

Marc-Antoine Charpentier „Messe de Minuit“ (Midnight Mass) and other baroque Christmas music was played. It was a delightful and powerful performance.

There was no entrance fee required, but people could give a free will offering.

Christmas Concert2024-12-11T12:08:45+01:00

President Trump again

2024-11-06T15:39:47+01:00

The race between Harris and Trump seemed to be very tight. And now Trump not only wins the presidency but the Republicans also take the Senate. This will give Trump enormous power to push through his agenda.

As the 47th president he plans to include his newest billionaire friend Elon Musk and others that supported him in his new cabinet.

Trump promised to stop the war in the Ukraine on day one.

He also promised to deport millions of illegal immigrants, cut federal funding to schools that teach “critical race theory” and “transgender” matters, no taxes on social security income and a few other things.

In Switzerland we expect geopolitical changes. The Nato will be weakened. Russia, China, India and others will be able act more aggressively since the US will withdraw more from the international scene.

The next four years in America will probably have a great impact not only for the US but also for the rest of the world.

President Trump again2024-11-06T15:39:47+01:00

Falling Leaves

2024-10-14T17:42:11+02:00

October is a month of beauty with a tinge of sadness. The exhilarating colours of the leaves of different kinds of trees are a feast for the eye and the soul. Each leave is unique and beautifully crafted.

In this season the leaves turn from green into all shades of yellow, red and brown. And then they fall to the ground, having left the branch for ever. People rake them together and throw them unto a heap. The leaves on the ground naturally slowly decompose and become nourishment for the soil.

Fall is also a season where it is good to think about our own end. Each one of us is unique and beautiful, made in the image of God. As we were taken from the earth to the earth we shall return.

Fall is a gentle reminder to consider our own end and to ask important questions such as: what will happened when I die? Am I just going to decompose like a leaf or is there more to my life?

As a Christian I have a hope in Christ who not only died but rose from the dead and has been ever present with me in this life. He will be with me at the point of death and will kindly receive me into a new life together with Him that will exceed all love and all beauty we can ever imagine.

Falling Leaves2024-10-14T17:42:11+02:00

Circus Knie

2024-09-10T11:29:14+02:00

The national Swiss Circus Knie was founded over 200 years ago (in 1803) by Friedrich Knie and is one of the oldest circus in Europe. The Knie family is still running the the show!

The long history of the company reflects a lot about the ups and downs of each epoch. It survived two world wars!

Early last century the circus presented not only exotic animals but also exotic peoples (like peoples from Ceylon and other Indian provinces with dance shows etc). Locals couldn’t travel and were intrigued by such different cultures that could be seen close up.

Since the 60ies, during the winter months, when the circus is not on tour, the artists and their families and a number of animals have residence in Rapperswil, near Zurich.

At this stage in a given year the circus runs over 300 shows in 25 different cities with world famous artists.

Circus Knie2024-09-10T11:29:14+02:00

Open Air Museum Ballenberg

2024-08-07T12:07:10+02:00

Tucked behind Brienz (about 30’ from Interlaken) is the open air museum of Ballenberg. A number of traditional old houses from different parts of Switzerland were taken apart and then built up on the grounds.

„Take an exciting journey through history with more than 100 original, centuries-old buildings from all regions of Switzerland. Watch a blacksmith at work at the anvil, learn how cheese is made or explore the world of animals at the Museum. Enjoy the fun side of Ballenberg with a barbecue party, relax in our flower and scent gardens or follow in the tracks of history on a horse-drawn carriage ride.“ Quote

At the moment a theatre group performs a play with the name of „Rötele“ or red head. Because of the color of her hair she was often laughed at. But as the play follows her through her life and choices she makes she turns out to be a solid, wise and respectable lady. The poor lady tenaciously and faithfully clings to her plot of farming land without making any negative compromises and thus in the end wins a lot of respect.

Open Air Museum Ballenberg2024-08-07T12:07:10+02:00

The Euro Soccer Cup 2024

2024-07-07T17:44:29+02:00

Switzerland beat Germany in a thrilling match to reach the quarter-finals. The match between Switzerland and the famous English team took place on July 6. Despite two 45-minute periods plus 30 minutes of extra time, the score remained tied at 1:1, with England only winning a decisive penalty shoot-out. The exciting match ended in a narrow defeat for Switzerland. Nevertheless, Switzerland can be proud of having made it this far as such a small country.

The Euro Soccer Cup 20242024-07-07T17:44:29+02:00

A Wet Season

2024-06-11T17:44:52+02:00

May and June this year have been particularly wet. In Germany, Austria, France and Belgium in some particular areas there has been heavy flooding. The damage caused through continual rain seems to be in the billions for Germany alone.

Switzerland on the whole has not been as affected as some of lower lying areas of Europe.

The temperatures here are still only between 12 and 20°C. But as soon as the sun shines for a day or two it feels like summer has finally arrived.

A Wet Season2024-06-11T17:44:52+02:00

BEA Bern

2024-05-05T21:52:50+02:00

The BEA Bern is one of the most popular spring events and a great outing for the whole family. The exhibition usually takes place in May for about 10 days in the city of Bern.

Every year the BEA boasts about 1’000 exhibitors, 600 animals and 60 diverse food stalls and restaurants, a shopping paradise for home and garden, a program of niche and popular sports, animal demonstrations (mostly of horses), a petting zoo, wine tastings, show bakeries and a great adventure park.

This is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to get a taste of some real Swiss culture.

BEA Bern2024-05-05T21:52:50+02:00
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