Taking a Break in Switzerland

When we left France, we first made a detour so that we could pass through the village that Thierry comes from, Sercoeur. We got some photos so eventually you'll get to see it too. We drove across mid-eastern France and into the most south-western part of Germany, near the Black Forest (Schwartzwald), to get to Switzerland and the town of Aarau. On the way we passed yet another field of blumen (flowers), so this time we stopped and picked some Chrysies. It's really expensive here in Switzerland; prices are double or almost double that of Germany. Unfortunately we were stopped on the border and the car was thoroughly searched by the Swiss boarder control to see if we had too much (> 7kg) of meat or too much alcahol. It was a bit scary as we had a lot of groceries because we were about to go house-sitting, and we thought they might be confiscated or that we might be fined as we had heard of such things, and we really didn't know what they might be looking for. Eventually though, they let us go but it wasn't a pleasant experience at all. However the weather was excellent.

So we arrived in Switzerland and are staying at the Huesler's home; Emily and her family stayed here 7 years ago. This is the same town that Catherine Schmid lives in; do you remember her, she stayed with the Pollards earlier this year?

And so with the sky beautifully clear we looked out over the town to the hills and the distant Alps. In fact it is a view very much like a what you would see from the hills in Christchurch. Today the weather is still balmy. Up here on the hill it was misty until about 11am this morning and then when it had burnt off a sparkling day appeared. And for once I have time to write.

We have just walked up the hill through the forest. If you look closely you can find hazel nuts every ten metres or so when you are out walking. There is a farm up there above part of the forest with a restaurant and 3 goats with tinkling bells on their necks. One was king of the castle on a pile of stones; goats do that. Louder, deeper bells could be heard higher up and were the cow bells, we could see only four - Jersey cows. There are lots of bells around here; the church bells from various churches are ringing right around the clock. So we are having a much needed rest after quite a busy time.