Zuerich Oberland and side trips

It certainly seemed strange without the Welsh family and dogs and perpetual action when the house was full. On the other hamd, it was wonderful to be back 'home' in Russikon, with the beautiful pool, view of the lake and mountains and catching up with friends again. 

My friend Uschi , who was largely responsible for my having met Marco and consequently coming to Switzerland to work,  summed up my travels. Unlike many travellers, my trips revolve around people, friends and family, and occasionally languages, and what I see on the way is a bonus. I realise how true this is of my itinerary this year in particular. It has been a fabulous mix, but in the forefront have always been people. 

Perfect weather for multiple visits to the Pfaeffikon lake, and for a quick snack overlooking the beautiful Jucker Farm,

 to see the storks,

or to walk around. It doesn't matter how often I  do this, it always looks different. I put this photo on an earlier blog, and it is certainly very different now with the fields of golden wheat and lush green maize. 

Visiting the storks is a favourite pasttime! I was so thrilled, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to see the now almost fully grown chick having a few practice take-offs.

I am so thankful I am not a stork chick. I cannot imagine making my first flight from 30 metres up! I wonder if they ever get it wrong? I watched for ages, but apart from lots of wing flapping and occasionally leaping into the air, the time was evidently not right to fly. 

My weekend was spent visiting friends I have also known for years. I actually lived in Seengen for a few months with Alice and Migg and have known them for about 40 years and have watched their daughter, Barbara, grow up and marry -amazing how a 'hello' to someone on a walking track in Arthur's Pass could lead to such a long friendship!

Once again, the combination of catching .up and going to some of the fabulous areas close by was brilliant. Having had the first daytime rain the day before in Zuerich, where I got drenched, the perfect weather returned for our morning  stroll and brief stop at a little farmyard, self-service Beiz, with stunning views to the Alps. 

As temperatures rose, we walked from home to the picturesque Halwyler See for a swim. You walk past the water lillies to swim and look to the distance to the mountains.. Strange to think that David is currently enjoying skiing in Queenstown!

It was heavenly to swim there. The water was about 24 degrees so absolutely perfect on a relatively warm day. I say 'relatively' because after the Sardinian 38 s, 27 seems fantastic. Although access to the 'Badi' , changing rooms, is free there were surprisingly few in the water.

It was a great day, finishing with a refreshing Aperol Spritz at a really wonderful hillside bar overlooking the lake and surrounding hills. What a fabulous idea to use these terraces for bar seating. I think I would be a frequent visitor there if I lived locally. I am so lucky to have local knowledge to find such hidden treasures. 

Next stop Basel to meet my friends Antoinette and Claude.

What a great day out we had for a picnic at an off-the-beaten track monastery, Kloster Schoenthal, built 1187. 

Once again I was super grateful to have a friend's local knowledge to be able to visit this pretty place with its well-preserved buildings and courtyard.

And its quirky exhibits.

The exhibition of paintings and sculpture by Thomas Sceibitz, 'if seven was five', was to be seen throughout the splendid grounds of the monastery, the aculptures blending in perfectly to the surroundings. It was another very hot day, so the sheep, as we were, were desperate for shade.  

The return trip was really lovely, with lush valleys overlooked by castles high up and tucked into the cliffs. How did they build these and how many lives were lost in the process? 

The view from the top of the pass was spectacular. It seemed that the pass was a favourite of motor bikers and drivers of flash cars. The Mobility car ( a fantasti car hire system throughout Switzerland) Antoinette had hired was joined in the car park by two ferraris and an Alfa Romeo. Personally, I was much happier in ours!

What a fabulous long weekend of good friends and marvelous places.

On my return, Instopped for some hours to catch up with my friend Robert, an ex student of mine, who visited NZ pre-covid. I had a couple of hours to enjoy this absolutely wonderful city

From above the Limmat River, there is a fabulous view of the old town. I had almost forgotten how lovely it was, or perhaps I didn't spend enough time looking!

I was shocked to think that I had never realised how attractive the houses are adjacent to 

Lindenplatz. I guess I took them for granted. Today I had plenty of time to admire the architecture, the rooftop gardens and the very productive veggie gardens.

Back down by the river, what a lovely view it was actoss to the picturesque houses just below my lookout point.

It was another hot day, but even in this densely built city, it was possible to find the mosr welcoming of shady courtyards, tucked in between the labyrinth of cobbled streets.

I felt very privileged to have the time to look around, and of course, very importantly, to look up!