It's the cows' shed. They sauntered out underneath our dorm of 16 beds - and only us. As they moved out from being milked they paused below our window, not to welcome us, but to have their head cleaned or scratched with one of those car wash type rotators. Then the milker began washing them before they entered their day long dining room to refuel yet again. On our floor just down the tool shed [...]
We know now from our hosts that there is no official Swiss language though roughly, it is German to the east, French to the west, Italian to the south, and drawing a line from north to south through Bern it is a certain dialect different from the others. Not much use to us though as we need to speak English or Spanish - the latter not high on the Swiss priority list. Like most Swiss [...]
A stream of cloudy light woke me as I climbed up from the floor where our 5 mattresses covered the entire floor. Our new young German friend Brigitte slept on mattress no. 5 under the window while those possibly with more need of the bathroom - Corrie and I, slept near the door. Our wonderful sleeping companion who was great to talk to, also helped us with accommodation tips, walking in Switzerland hints, and translations [...]
Very steep but smaller hills at present, leaning forward seems pretty important because balance for pd people wavers over time so important that we practice it. I also need to become confident with smaller hills so I'm ready for the taller ones. I certainly don't have an issue with other walkers getting in the way, because there aren't any - not one. It may be that it's a little cold (okay for us because it's [...]
I picked up a forgotten umbrella and slipped out to look for a croissant shop - bakerie. 'More than usual' bells rang a bell for me that many shops might be closed. An hour before opening time I peered through a window at a croissant person and tried to balance my 'need for a croissant' look so I didn't look too threateningly desperate at one end and not too 'smarmingly trying to be charming' look, [...]
Rorschach was bed-free so at midday we changed plans and decided to start walking as we really had no choice, and lucky for us it was cool, so our journey had inadvertently began. It was fairly easy going with a couple of testing hills but maybe a bit long for our first day". A sore hip and back for me, a neck pain for Corrie was evidence of this. A point of interest along the [...]
A fast 'neuron growing' walk around the beautiful canal of Zurich and I was able to get a feel for this beautiful city. After a stunning Swiss breakfast we walked more slowly around the old city and taking time to feel the cobblestones. Such a very clean and serene place, it' as though there was a 'quiet curfew'. Tomorrow we're off to Rorschach for the day, then the adventure begins once more. Will it be [...]
When the Northern neighbours get angry, the southerners beat the vanggus, pluck the gayaguems, and sing their traditional Minyos. Their whispering voices would calm the most anxious of foreign travellers who are not used to the bellicose provocations only a close border away. Just a quick stopover and then Zurich tomorrow.
