We have had a few days recently to feel as though we were on holiday, touring through the Swiss countryside like tourists do. Only we aren’t on holidays. Not yet. You see, those days we were touring Barcelona and Florence earlier this year, while you were cursing us and thinking “must be nice”, those days of holiday were in exchange for now. While you’re breathing a sigh of relief because you made it through another school year, we’re still trucking along.
Two more weeks to go… Shhhhhh, we’re trying really, really hard to not point out this fact to the kids. As a 12 year old, I wouldn’t have taken that news well either.
While it doesn’t feel like summer, based on the day-to-day routine, it sure as heck does, based of the thermometer. 32 degrees these days. Intolerable if you ask me. But no one is asking, no one needs to. It’s a well known fact now. I’m too warm. ALL. THE. DAMN. TIME.
Except for a few blissful days while Aunt Janey was here to visit us. She brought along perfect weather – cool even. It was heaven. And we made the most of it, packing in a lot of miles in a few busy days.
There is truly a business opportunity here. Offering guided tours of Switzerland with enough family dysfunction to make you feel really good about yourself. No one wants to spend time with people who seem perfect; that leaves you feeling like an under-achiever, insignificant, frumpy even. No one needs friends or family who make them feel that way. What we offer, on the flip side is a “wow factor” that encompasses the good, the bad and the ugly.
“Wow, look at that view.”
“Wow, that cheese plate is amazing.”
“Wow, is that normal?”
“Wow, that can’t be good.”
We’re givers that way. Sharing all of ourselves. Warts and all, as they say. (For the record, I’m quite certain we did not send Aunt Janey away with any warts. Not on purpose, anyway.)
Here’s a glimpse of some of the memories we did send her away with.
She’s here! Aunt Janey’s first Swiss cappucino. (More like a cafe au lait, the Swiss like their coffee with a lot of milk.)Looking remarkably fresh after an all-night flight.Rewarded, after a brisk walking tour of Winterthur, with a glass of white overlooking the city.Quick stop for a photo at the neighbourhood vineyard. A seemingly peaceful photo. What you can’t see is that the train station was intolerably loud with the arrival of union workers ready to demonstrate. A pretty day in Zurich. The colourful people in the centre of the shot were part of the exceptionally loud demonstration. Much louder and rowdier than the orderly Swiss norm.Thankfully, our tour does not involve the Krapp bus.We happened upon the Style Ride, described as “a joyful and relaxed cycling tour for style lovers”. It was perfection.We encountered the ride at the Viadukt, a haven for hipsters and their offspring. We blended in perfectly.
Possibly the perfect bike.So many pretty bikes.This is not my photo – but it captures the perfection of this ride. Likewise, not my photo. I sure wish it was. What’s a hipster neighbourhood without a surf park? Notice the big screen playing the FIFA World Cup in the background. Surfing and soccer, all the time. The love of soccer starts young.
Day 3 of touring we stumbled upon a medieval festival in Einsiedeln.Jousting, weaving, sparring and Lords and Ladies aplenty. A trip back in time. To think our kids whine when they lose wifi.There is a sizable community who really embrace the period costumes. Good for them.Always good to practice your axe-throwing skills. (Because you never know when your little sister will be better than you. Snap.)The monastery at Einsiedeln.Spotting your mark.Good form Babe.The pristine kloister stables.A view to the countryside.It’s true that Aunt Janey is petite. This may be a slight exaggeration.Next stop, the town of Schwyz. Notice it was cool enough to wear pants. It was heaven. Pants are my favourite.Swiss pride in Schwyz.Pretty Swiss scene.Twisty, turny streets, all with a pretty view.Aunt Janey, happy to be in the Swiss countryside.
The soundtrack of Schwyz.
A lovely manor house in Schwyz.All cows should wear bells.A classic old Swiss farm house.And the mountain view beyond.It was a good time to view the window boxes.Learning about all the peaks in the view.What’s on the horizon for us? Good question.Feeding the birds in Brunnen.The sun finally came out in Zug.Too pretty to be real – but they were.Same with these – real beauty.Even these, plucky little guys, showing off their beauty too. A whole new kind of beauty. I think this one wants to be mine. A pretty little courtyard in Stein Am Rhein.The view of the Rhein.More pretty flowers.There’s really no excuse to not be an exceptional gardener here. Like entering the world of Daigon Alley.The storybook village of Stein Am Rhein.A perfect spot for a coffee and a gipfeli (the strange Swiss-German word for croissant)The clock-tower at Stein Am Rhein.Very helpful advertising campaign seen in Appenzell The rose vines here are amazing.Ready for the next leg of the adventure. What awaits beyond the next door?
Thank you for joining us on your European adventure Aunt Janey. We sure loved having you with us.
We are taking requests for personalized tours. Your days will be filled with spectacular Swiss scenes and culinary delights, seasoned with family dysfunction and punctuated with some German expletives, just to keep things real. We are nothing, if not real.
Despite the beauty of our surroundings, nothing compares to home and we are missing our Canadian friends and family this Canada Day. Happy Canada Day.
