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Brissago

2021-06-23T12:50:00+02:00

Brissago is a village only about 2km away from the border crossing into Italy. It exhibits very much the Southern charm. The locals speak Italian with their particular accent. Typical „gelati“ (the Italian ice cream) and cafe are available everywhere.

The steep mountain slope behind the village has almost a sub-tropical flair. The village is located at the lowest altitude of Switzerland with only 197m above sea level. The climate is very mild. Generally this Southern canton is a bit warmer than the rest of the country across the alps.

The tiny natural island of Brissago hosts a wonderful botanical garden with plants from all over the world. It is a short boat trip away from Brissago or the close by bigger and also delightful town of Locarno.

Brissago2021-06-23T12:50:00+02:00

Opening Up

2021-05-04T17:47:19+02:00

In contrast to Germany, France and Italy, at end of April the Swiss government was opening up much of the country. As the weaker population is almost fully vaccinated the Covid cases have been declining or are stable. Recently we have hardly had any more death due to Covid.

Restaurants are allowed to serve customers outside of their premises. The view here is from the sun terrace of the restaurant Marbachegg at 1500m. The background offers a view of the impressive mountain ridge called Schrattenfluh (2000m).

The Marbachegg is a 10’ ride by cable care. Public transport from Bern takes 55’ to get to Marbach where you can purchase the ticket and get your ride up. It is a great area for skying in winter or hiking during the rest of the year.

Opening Up2021-05-04T17:47:19+02:00

April, April does as it wills

2021-04-08T12:06:45+02:00

The weather in April is fluctuating enormously. A couple of days it is so comfortable and warm that people start wearing T-shirts. Spring flowers and shrubs start blooming and the blackbird chirps its beautiful melodies. And then the temperatures suddenly drop below 0 and a snow storm covers the whole spring beauty under a blanket of snow. After a couple of days the snow is gone again.

In April is the time to exchange the car’s winter tires with the summer ones. The grip is much better with the right tires. And the water faucets on the outside of our homes can be turned back on again. In winter the water inside could freeze up and the burst the pipes.

 

April, April does as it wills2021-04-08T12:06:45+02:00

Waste Paper

2021-03-25T17:19:00+01:00

In Switzerland waste paper gets collected weekly on a specific weekday (here every Wednesday) for free. Waste paper is not garbage. It is considered a valuable raw material that is used for the production of new paper articles.

About 80% of all paper gets recycled.

Recycled paper is turned into fibers. Those fibers are then used to produce new paper products. In comparison with recycled paper fibers, to produce paper from wood takes 60% more energy and 70% more water. That makes recycled paper quite environment friendly.

Waste Paper2021-03-25T17:19:00+01:00

Lonely and Cold

2021-02-22T13:16:22+01:00

February is usually the month of the year with the lowest temperatures. This year it wasn’t only the cold that kept people inside, but also the corona virus. Until the end of February Switzerland is still in a lock down mode.

To our relief the measures show positive results. The corona infections and the death rate have fallen dramatically. An immunization program is in effect that will keep tackling the virus.

During the dark winter months of the lockdown the number of mental health issues has significantly gone up. Due to the home office mandate many people lack the social interactions and the face to face conversations they were used to. Singles find it difficult to get to know potential partners. People suffer being lonely. And domestic violence is on the rise as kids and their parents are stuck at home. Not only the economic damage but also the psychological one caused through this pandemic is not to be underestimated.

Lonely and Cold2021-02-22T13:16:22+01:00

Back to Home Office

2021-01-21T15:54:31+01:00

Europa has gone through a serious second corona wave over this winter season. In Switzerland our second lockdown only started in mid January and will last until the end of February.

During this new lockdown almost all white collar workers are now working from home! Government offices, banks and private companies have all been able to switch to home office mode – and it works amazingly well!

This second lockdown is similar to the one in spring. But this time masks are mandatory and only 5 people (including children) are allowed to meet. Shops are still open but only for important commodities such as foods and household items. Schools are open, but universities have to function via the internet. All restaurants are closed. 

There is however a light at the end of the tunnel. The hope is that immunizations and warmer season will bring down the numbers and finally allow us to return to a life that looks more like what it used to be. 

Back to Home Office2021-01-21T15:54:31+01:00

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 Four Gysnau Hills

2020-11-20T16:38:19+01:00

The town of Burgdorf is also called the door to the Emmen Vally. The river flowing past Burgdorf is called the Emme.

Four prominent and unique sandstone hills are facing the town across the river. They look like cut through the middle and are called the Gysnau Hills. The altitude to the top of them is just about 120m up from the Emme river. The round trip hiking up and along the top ridge of the four hills takes just about one hour.

The medieval town was mostly built from sandstone cut from queries from those hills.

Along those four hills rank some beautiful stories. One sad story claims that about 200 years ago a big boulder tumbled down unto a young couple in love burying them forever. The boulder is mysteriously sitting at the foot of the fourth hill.

The Four Gysnau Hills2020-11-20T16:38:19+01:00

Corona Second Wave

2020-10-24T21:17:25+02:00

In spring the first corona wave was anxiously anticipated. The country froze in a lockdown. Hospitals were all ready to received an influx of covid patients. Though the number of infections were up not many covid patients needed hospital care.

In the following months corona got almost forgotten. Masks were not mandatory. The Swiss felt we had done very well! Infection rates were quite low and everything seemed under control.

But then in the first part of October we suddenly experienced a shocking increase of infections. The government now talks of a partial lock down. It is now compulsory to wear masks in all public spaces including offices and work places. Social distancing and hand washing are imperative.

The chart shows the average infection rate over the last 7 days / 100’000 people. Top of the list is Holland, followed by Switzerland, Spain, UK. USA and Germany.

Infection rates also depend on testing etc. What really counts are the numbers of the severely ill covid patents and the mortality rate. It is crucial that the hospitals are not going to be overwhelmed. The next couple of weeks will show!

Corona Second Wave2020-10-24T21:17:25+02:00

First

2020-09-22T16:26:09+02:00

From the village of Grindelwald a cable car takes you to the top, called First, at 2167m. The view is splendid since the famous three mountains, which are all over 4000m, are right in front of you.

There are many possibilities to have fun. Here just the best three:
– Take the „First Glider“ which runs on a cable and accelerates up to 80km / h down to a station below.
– Just stroll around and walk over the platform in view, as the rock beneath you drops down far below.
– Take a good hour hike to a famous mountain lake called Bachalpsee with a world famous view. If the water is calm it reflects the whole scenery!

The First area is wonderful for kids too with playground and other specials. We recommend this outing especially for families!

First2020-09-22T16:26:09+02:00

Goumois

2020-08-20T21:35:38+02:00

The river Doubs flows right through the middle of this delightful village separating France from Switzerland. You can decide to eat on the French or the Swiss side. Across the bridge there is a nice restaurant at each end. Their fish menus are really recommended!

Goumois is one of the lowest locations of Switzerland, at only 493m above sea level. At present only about 80 people still live in the village. The area of the Doubs is still quite untouched and beautiful for exploring it further.

On June 20, 1940 (during WWII) there were 43’000 French and Polish soldiers deserting France and crossing the border bridge into neutral Switzerland. They surrendered, giving up all their weapons and spent the rest of the war in an internal camp.

Goumois2020-08-20T21:35:38+02:00

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
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