Around Zuerich and the Zuerich Oberland spring 2022

I am so thankful that I arranged a relatively long stay in Russikon with Trudi before setting off on my travels. It was a marvelous chance to catch up with her, to enjoy resttful times in her beautiful garden and to also see other close friends, combining those meetings with local trips/walks. 

First stop the tiny Luetzelsee near Groeningen, where in spring the fields are a mass of colour, and the marshes and trees are full of storks.

I had not quite realised how huge these magnificent birds were until we happened to be led by a couple of them down the track to their nesting area! What a joy it is to sit in the shade beside their trees and observe  so many storks at one time. The trees were like a stork ghetto, each nest with one stork guarding the young chicks, which frequently raised their long necks in the hope of getting food. All was quiet until the foraging storks returned and then the guard stork would make  an incredibly loud clapping noise with its long beak. It was fantastic to watch and listen.

The little village close by has some magnificent old homes, dating back to mid seventeen hundreds. 

Locals also have, as nearly everywhere in Switzerland, the most incredible wood stacks. This one looked like a massive Jenga game. I was so tempted to try to slide one of the middle pieces of wood out, but I might have got locked ip!

Next day we spent on the water. Another near cloudless day with temperatures around 30 degrees. Fabulous to be in the shade, with a gentle breeze. It was a lazy, but beautiful day. There are such beautiful little towns along the Zuerich Lake. Expensive places to live, of course!

At Richterswil we found a lovely, shady restaurant with delicious food and a very attractive outlook over this town, very typical of the region. I love all the attic rooms with their pretty little balconies. 

Final stop - Rapperswil. It is so good to see that nothing has changed here. It is perfect just as it is.

In the town centre there was a fantastic exhibition of hearts. How I love the flamingoes! Sadly, I did not find out why it was there.

I could not go to Rapperswil without a walk on the wooden bridge. It was so beautiful there with such expansive views. Below us, in the crystal clear water, swam hundreds of enormous , almost black fish. Not sure what they were.

I had been back 'home' for ten days without walking round the lake of Pfaeffikon. I was yearning to do it, so set off with my friend Alice to once more, after three years, enjoy this so special place.

Once again, you are treated not only to breathtaking views of the hills and mountains but also to a myriad of different flowers growing in the swampy meadows beside the track. It was so peaceful today as there was virtually nobody on the track. Perfect.

Jucker Farm is just as it always was, a fabulous place to eat something deliciou whilst savouring the gorgeous views over the Zuerich Oberland and, of course, my favourite Swiss lake, Pfaeffikon. The 9.5 kilometre walk around it affords such a variety of plant and bird life, as well as the fabulous scenery.

I have to admit to having felt  somewhat exhausted by the time I reached the Roman Fort just outside Pfaeffikon. It was such a hot, dry day, but so enjoyable.

With two final meetings with friends, the day was complete and I was definitely ready to while away the evening in the shade of Trudi's garden.