Friends and familiar places

Winterthur, our nearest big town. I love this place with all its colourful houses and quaint shopping streets. Unfortunately, I missed its fantastic market, but will enjoy it another time.

I find the use of vivid colours on everyday items simply fantastic. You just need to keep your eyes open to see these little treasures down little sidestreets!

Pfaeffikon, my home for eight years, now has a new main street leading down to the church I used to live next to, and the lake. Saturday morning, this quiet, partly oedestrian-only thoroughfare, becomes a small but quality Farmers' Market. It is a great place to meet up unexpectedly with old friends.

What a wonderful week I have had catching up with so many great friends. The weekend was no different - a day with Dennis 

in the welcome shade of Kuesnacht Tobel, a beautiful little gorge leading to Kuesnacht on the lake of Zuerich.

With temperatures soaring to the thirties, the walk into the valley provided us with most welcome shade and cool.

Down by the little stream, the cool temperatures and the vivid green were so unbelievably refreshing. 

I realise more and more as I travel, as I get older, that you don't need spectacular places all the time. Everyday experiences, particularly with great friends, are really what matters.

Thanks to everyone of you who have helped make this first week so very special,