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Category: Europe

Home – Lucerne

The other day I walked around my new home town with my camera and thought I will show you some of the pictures of this beautiful place.

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At the waterfront close to our home. The mountain Rigi in the background.

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The other side of town

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At the quay where most of the tour boats departs.

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There are a few bars along the water with great views.

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Hikers waiting for the ferry.

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The crossing next to the train station. The water tower in the background.

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The Kapellbrücke with mountain Pilatus in the background.

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In the Old town looking over to the “new” town.

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Beautiful facade.

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Shopping street in Old town.

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Lucerne Fountain on Kapellplatz.

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KKL, the cultural center next to the train station. The university is close by and during the day lots of people sit along the water front and eat lunches or drinks beer in some of the outdoor cafés.

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Lunch hour at the lake.

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Panorama of the Kapellbrücke

Slight change of plan

Some things you can not really plan for, they just happen. A few weeks into our stay in mainland Australia we had to reschedule our flights and fly back to Switzerland due to family reasons. We came from autumn in Australia to spring in Switzerland but got used to the change quite quickly. We were happy to be back in a semi normal life again. As we came back the plan was still to spend summer in Sweden and then probably settle down in Switzerland in the autumn but still keeping all options open.

Just for fun we looked around for apartments in Lucerne and as it happens we found the perfect place. A nice apartment featuring a huge terrace with views of the mountains just next to the train station. Well, we could not resist… So, 1 June we will be permanent residents of Lucerne, Switzerland! This means we have to start working rather sooner than later, unfortunately. But before we get the apartment I will go to Stockholm and enjoy the city for a few weeks.

Well, I did not think that an apartment would decide where we end up but I guess something has to decide. 🙂

Visit in Sweden

I have spent 1.5 weeks in Sweden to finish up at work and visit family and friends before we go on our trip.

The first weekend I spent in Mariefred with family. The weather was perfect so we did the classic outing. Steam train to Taxinge, had afternoon coffee with lots of cakes and then caught the steam boat back to Mariefred.

Gripsholms Castle in Mariefred

Along the water front

Taxinge is a castle, or more of a mansion maybe, where they have a large selection of cakes and sandwiches. I try to come here every time I visit the area. Below you can see my choice of cakes. 🙂

 

My sister and two nephews back in Mariefred with the steam boat in the background.

 

 

Last chance

Winter is definately around the corner. In Sweden we have already seen the first snow. This week we had a snow storm and although it is a few days ago there are still traces of it on the ground. Lucky me then who could go down to Switzerland last weekend and enjoy some warmer weather.

Since the weather was nice we took the opportunity to go on maybe the last hike of the season. Since it is cold and snowy on high altitude we chose Bürgenstock this day. This mountain is only about 1100 meters but beautifully situated at the lake Vierwaldstätter See and famous for its views. This particular mountain does not have a gondola but actually a lift that can take you up the last few hundred meters. This day however it was already closed for the season, not even the café was open. So we did not get our standard beer on the top of the mountain but had to be content with what we had brought along.

On the way we had some serious Sound of Music moments. Like here when we crossed a meadow with this spectacular view.

As we came around the mountain we got this great view of the lake and Lucerne. This side of the mountain is very steep and the footpath is not intended for people that have issues with heights. At some places they have even made tunnels through the rocks. Very nice hike that can be made a little longer if you choose to leave the car close to Stansstad and take the way over Bürgenbergwald.

Bern

Last Friday I went to meet my friend Isabelle in Bern. The sun was shining and it was around 15 degrees Celsius. Bern is a pretty town with a lot of atmosphere. We went for a walk to see if the bears were out and they were, the mother with her two cubs were playing around. For you who don’t know, a bear is the symbol of Bern and there are a few of them living by the river in the central part of town.


Before I headed back to Zug I, by mistake, went up on the roof of the central station. It turns out the view from up there is great. It was a particularly clear day and the mountains were visible at the horizon. And there is a café up there as well. Good to know next time I am in town…

Climbing in Melchsee Frutt

This past Sunday we went to Melchsee Frutt for some climbing. They have a big climbing wall just a few minutes walk from the car park and cable car station. The wall is not high but long, most routes are one pitch only but there are a few 2 pitch routes around. Totally there are about 130 routes ranging from grade 3 to 8 on the UIAA scale. So there is plenty to choose from although this easy to reach place attracts a lot of climbers.
Having a break at the climbing wall.

As well as on Saturday it was cloudy below 1500 meter but we had beautiful weather. Today it was also 10 Franken day which means it only costs 10 Franken to take the cable car up to Melchsee Frutt. Due to this there were loads of hikers around and you can see the ant trail along the lake which had no end. Fortunately though there were not too many climbers.
The view from the climbing wall. This is the difference between climbing in the Alps and in Stockholm area…