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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

Allotment Gardens

2023-05-05T21:29:18+02:00

In our area there are at least 3 different plots of land that are owned and operated by a garden association. Local residents can join the association and for a very fair price rent a small plot of land for growing vegetables, fruits and flowers. Most tenants set up a shed or at least a roof with a couple of walls. Many spend much of their time off on the land, farming and gardening, chatting with friends and neighbors.

Many plot tenants also raise their own flags above their shed. So between Swiss flags you can see flags from many other nations. It seems that foreigners who tend such a plot of land tend to integrate better into Swiss society since that is an easier way to make friends.

Allotment Gardens2023-05-05T21:29:18+02:00

Nature Conservation

2023-04-25T17:19:03+02:00

In Switzerland there are hardly any rivers left where engineering was not applied to control its flow. As a result the rivers have all been more or less tamed. This has had a great impact on nature too. Where there used to be a variety of fish, insects, birds and frogs many have meanwhile gone forever.

The government now invests quite a lot of money to keep nature reserves where the disappearing wildlife can survive. The picture shows a pond where a couple of rare frog species are given a new space to survive.

The second picture shows a kind of bucket with a net for the frogs to be able to leave. A plug will occasionally get pulled out to allow the bucket to go completely dry to simulate a natural river.

This location is not made known to the public so that tourists are kept out out for fear of them causing damage to the fragile eco system.

Nature Conservation2023-04-25T17:19:03+02:00

A Cashless Society?

2023-03-18T09:39:26+01:00

Since Corona people use much less cash than before. It is just so convenient to pay with a card or a phone that is wiped across a sensor at the checkout desk.

Nowadays there are more than a dozen possibilities to pay without using cash. (See picture).

At the same time many people are also aware that this convent way of paying without cash leads to increased data trails that are easily tracked. Many people are weary of increasing control mechanisms.

Switzerland is a direct democracy. A new political initiative has just been launched that insists that the government would not be allowed to abolish cash. In other words people should always have the possibility of paying by cash and not be forced to pay with a card.

The deadline for the initiative was Februar 17. A 100’000 signatures are needed for it to be valid. Around 157’000 were collected. So some time in the nearer future this initiative will be presented to the people in Switzerland. I think there is a fair chance that the Swiss will vote yes and accept this initiative.

A Cashless Society?2023-03-18T09:39:26+01:00

The Zäziwil Brass Band

2023-02-23T22:04:38+01:00

125 years ago (in 1898) the brass band of Zäziwil was established. The village of Zäziwil is near Bern, but already very much part of the Emmental farmer community.

The program of their 125th anniversary concert was quite stunning in terms of quality. The music ranged from classical, to modern to international.

The Zäziwil brass band was started when there were already many other associations catering to diverse interests. This brass band has sustained very strong Christian values that it still shares today.

Switzerland has a rich history of associations dedicated to specific purposes. In the 18th century many reading associations were formed were new books were read together and discussed. There was a spirit of curiosity and exploration, and a hope for further reform movements. So different associations catered to these interests.

In the 19th century many more associations were started around the shooting range that was part of almost every village in the country, the army (where every male was part of), patriotic history, sports, students and music.

Today there are more associations of all kinds than ever: sports, culture, science, catering to the needy etc. But people are also busier than ever. To keep the Zäziwil brass band going for a 150 years is quite an amazing deed.

The Zäziwil Brass Band2023-02-23T22:04:38+01:00

Energy Shortage Fears

2023-01-24T21:55:35+01:00

In autumn the Swiss government started warning the population about possible energy shortages during the winter season. Due to the Ukraine war there was a serious possibility that we would not have enough gas or electricity to help us through the winter.

Companies, shops and people were encouraged to start saving energy like turning down the temperature a little during the cold winter months. Cities cut down on public lighting.

Indeed February has turned into a very cold month sometimes with temperatures well below -10°C. But meanwhile things look better than predicted. It seems the call for saving energy was really heard. And the feared energy shortage has not really happened so far.

Our homes are still warm and cozy. But the possibility of energy shortages is something that has not happened to this prosperous country as far back as anyone would remember.

Energy Shortage Fears2023-01-24T21:55:35+01:00

Christmas Season

2022-12-19T16:56:38+01:00

Most kids love December. Usually that is when the first snow falls. What fun to build an iglu, start a snow ball fight, use a sledge to ride down a slope or even go ice skating etc.

What kids also love about December is Christmas. It is the time where families come together to celebrate, eat and enjoy Christmas festivities. For kids the highlight is receiving gifts!

Why do we give gifts to each other? This old custom harks back to the understanding of the meaning of Christmas. With Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. He was and is God’s wonderful and free gift to mankind.

Christmas Season2022-12-19T16:56:38+01:00

The Kanderdelta

2022-11-24T18:33:08+01:00

The river Kander is short but dangerous. It does not always lead a lot of water. But within a very short time it can turn into a dangerous torrent. In a terrible accident in June 2008 five soldiers lost their lives. Since then it is marked as too dangerous for river rafting.

The source of the river is high up on 2100m and flows through a beautiful and diverse alpine area. 47km later, in Gwatt, the river enters into lake Thun.

1774 the river was diverted to flow directly into lake Thun (as in the picture). The river used to flow into the Aare river past the city of Thun. This artificial Kander delta has been turned into a beautiful recreational area. The Hotel Deltapark is close by and is one of the best hotels in the area.

The Kanderdelta2022-11-24T18:33:08+01:00

The Castle Ruin of Balm

2022-10-24T19:09:33+02:00

Tucked away on a hill above the beautiful village of Oberhofen there is a mystic spot. A path leads into the forest and a short climb up to the top of the hill. It is overgrown with trees. But if you look out you will still see some of the old age ruins overgrown by tree roots.

A 1000 years ago the castle of Balm used to sit on top of the hill with a splendid view of the lake and of the small village of Oberhofen down below. The noble knights’ family who lived up here owned the whole shore of this side of the lake.

Then in the 12 century the God fearing three brothers Werner, Selber and Libo didn’t have any male descendant. So the daughter Itha inherited the family fortune. She was married to the noble man Walter who moved into the castle to join his wife. Walter built the water castle of Oberhofen, down at the lake. Over time the castle above fell apart and nature has fully reclaimed this spot.

The Castle Ruin of Balm2022-10-24T19:09:33+02:00

The Technorama

2022-09-27T22:17:48+02:00

This is Switzerland’s exciting science center located in Winterthur (near Zurich). It is great for a family outing and allows a hands-on experience of hundreds of natural phenomena and technology. The Technorama is really geared towards kids who are into exploring the world through touch, play and experimentation. When visiting you hear a lot of laughter and see people being mesmerized by awesome discoveries.

It is a rather big place with exhibitions, labs, seminar rooms and a big outdoor area (with more exciting discoveries). The restaurant is simple and offers food that kids love.

For adults (16 and over) it costs CHF 32.- / person. Kids are charged CHF 20.- and kids under 5 are free. It is certainly worth to spend a morning or an afternoon there.

The Technorama2022-09-27T22:17:48+02:00

The Susten Pass

2022-08-19T14:43:57+02:00

Switzerland most famous pass is the Gotthard. It leads from German speaking Switzerland into the Italian speaking part of the country and on to Italy. Another pass that is not as well known but one of the most spectacular ones is called Susten.

The road up to Susten starts from the very end of the Aare valley connecting the canton Bern with the canton Uri, landing to the ascent of the Gotthard pass.

The road is famous for motorbike fans. There are 23 wonderful bends. The most famous one is a hairpin curve at km 24. There are several tunnels and the road is in excellent condition. Close to the top, on the Bernese side you are granted a view of a glacier on the other side of a beautiful valley.

The pass dates back to the Romans who already traveled across the alps. In the 18th century the Susten was famous for its steep ascent and descent and not recommend for people who were not free from giddiness.

The Susten Pass2022-08-19T14:43:57+02:00

The Rheinfall

2022-07-06T12:56:23+02:00

In the most Northern part of Switzerland (close to the city of Schaffhausen) the river Rhein pours 23m down, over a width of 150m. In summer there are about 600 m3 per second that crash down the waterfall, causing a continuous thundering noise.

The view of the Rheinfall is great from both sides of the river. However we recommend to approach the fall from the small castle of Laufen on the left side of the Rhein. The entrance fee is CHF 5.- an adult and CHF 3.- for kids.

A great concrete viewing platform offers a magnificent close up view of this spectacle. At the bottom a ferry takes people to the castle Wörth on the other shore. From that location a boat takes people around the fall area or another one even to the rock in the middle of the fall.

The Rheinfall2022-07-06T12:56:23+02:00
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