It’s one of those unusual (possibly unique?) trips where I come back without having bought any books. Perhaps not entirely unexpected, since the ‘Englisch’ section of the one bookshop I entered was less than inspiring – but, even without buying books, I loved my trip to Switzerland!
Thank you for all your reading suggestions, which have been stored away in my mind (and, less vulnerably, my inbox) – it was especially lovely to hear from Lewerentz who is actually in Switzerland – and for Lewerentz’s benefit, I will try to remember where we were in the country… quite near Schaffhausen… I can’t remember the name of the village, but it was that part of the world.
Here are just a few snapshots of the trip…
The view from my bedroom window was rather beautiful.
Lots of beautiful chalet-style houses, but I don’t seem to have taken photos of them – this one isn’t wholly representative, but it is charming.
We spent a day at Rheinfall, Europe’s something-ist waterfall. Widest? Biggest? Shiniest? It was a wet day in many senses.
The highlight of the trip was our day up a mountain, having snowball fights….
Amusingly, my trash talk (or, appositely, ‘sledging’) of “You’ll be going all kinds of down!” was misheard as “You’ll be wearing all kinds of denim!” Which, of course, became the catchphrase of the trip. Here Mel is about to be fitted for a new denim jacket, courtesy of Liz.
All in all, a fantastic holiday – and Switzerland is a rather wonderful country. Plus, all the residents have tasteful Christmas decorations. How do they do this? No inflatable nativity scenes in sight, nor even coloured light bulbs. Lovely. Oh, and we crossed the border into Germany to go to church – so that’s another country I chalk up on my tiny list of countries visited.
So glad you enjoyed Switzerland – lovely pics. I went to school in Geneva – I miss it!
Am horribly jealous. It looks gorgeous Simon! Glad you had a good time. Your wallet did too by the sounds of it!
So glad you enjoyed Switzerland, Simon. Probably my second favourite country after the UK. I'm surprised you even saw any Christmas decorations in November! Switz always used to be very late in decorating compared with us or so it seemed to me. Much more traditional in their approach. Lovely photos! Barbara
Breathtaking landscape! Hope you enjoyed some chocolate while you were there, they have some of the best I've ever tried.
Looks absolutely lovely, I am very envious that you got to play in the snow! I love snow!
It looks lovely. Glad you had a good time.
Oh I am so glad that you loved Switzerland, its one of my favourite countries in the entire world so always pleased when others are a fan. Sounds like you had a hoot!
I'm very happy that you enjoy my country but sorry that you didn't find inspiring books.
Excuse my bad English.
Lewerentz
So delightful!
Hope you had a blast!
I've thought about another Swiss writer you may enjoy : Pascal Mercier. His novel "Night train to Lisbon" is one of my favourite book. I highly recommended it to you !
Lewerentz
Hi Simon, glad you enjoyed Switzerland. I'm off again to Geneva (CERN) next week. Remember however the events of last Sunday (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/11/29/switzerland.minaret.referendum/index.html) before your praise is too fulsome for this inward looking country (well parts of it are very inward looking). Be happy that you follow the "correct" Abrahamic religion when you are en Suisse …
Beautiful photos! I spent a family holiday in Switzerland as a child, and reading this made me want to go back.