Winter wonderland

Usually the train commute to my school in Olten, central Switzerland, is everything but spectacular. Today's train ride however, was just brilliant. The snowfall of the past three days has turned the countryside into a magical scenery. Snow packed pine trees embraced by wafts of mist are flying past my window. Moments like that just make my day. How can natural beauty like this be responsible for winter depressions? Some of us - it seems to me - have lost the ability to focus on the truely moving and interesting things in our overstimulated world.

Mystic fog over Engstligenalp, Adelboden

A few weeks ago, I shot this picture on a hike on the plateau of Engstligenalp near Adelboden. The fog was carried up by strong upward winds, the first frost and snow covered the plateau and I felt like being up in the Scottish Highlands.

Arctic impressions of Oeschinensee, Kandersteg

Hi guys,
Haven't posted anything in weeks. Sometimes I just simply don't find any nice topics to share with you. About 3 or 4 weeks ago, the first inches of snow covered the Bernese Oberland. This was the opportunity to hike up to Oeschinensee, a small mountain lake near Kandersteg. The scenery was smashing, the dark water surface was like a mirror, the reflexion of the mountains clear and sharp as I had never seen it before - have a look for yourself...

Mountain B&B

Farm Mayen above Leysin, stayed here overnight, a marvel among alpine huts, great fondue, impressive mountain views, friendly host family, a truely alpine working farm, a comfi bed and even an espresso machine. smashing!

How to get there: Take public transport to the Ski resort of Leysin, VD. Then either hike up to Refuge de Mayen or rent a mountain bike (great and very well marked mtb trails!). For the more convenient traveller, there is a lift up to Mt. Berneuse (Leysin panoramic restaurant), from there it is a short hike downhill to farm Mayen.

Nostalgic Swiss army bike tour around Lake Thun

Ascension day - as trees and flowers begin to blossom we did not quite feel like going for another day of skiing anymore. However, most pathes and tracks in the forests and mountains are still too wet and swapy to allow a decent mountain bike tour. So we decided to go nostalgic today. Freed our two Swiss army bikes - both around 40 years of age - from spider webs and hit the road around Lake Thun (approx. 55-60 kilometers. Around this time of the year Lake Thun is simply gorgeous. Lush green hills, turquoise water, the snowy mountain ranges in the back and plenty of garden restaurants along the shore... here a few impressions of todays trip.

pic 1: beach bar and restaurant at harbour in Gunten (North shore of Lake Thun)

pic 2: Castle and harbour of Spiez (South shore of Lake Thun)

Most romantic bar - and why I might change the focus of this blog

... have just come across this lovely bar outside the old town wall of Dubrovnik, Croatia. What a spot!

Addendum May 1, 2008: Back in Switzerland again. But the last week's vacation in Croatia was so absolutely fabulous, I have - almost - come to the conclusion that I should show you some more lovely spots from down there. Then again, so far, this blog has had a focus on outdoor activities in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. Any opinions on that?

Swiss cheese fondue on an outdoor stove

Still in the office, but only minutes away from the weekend. And I was just thinking what I could to tonight. Watching TV is way too boring, going out is too much of a hassle, too much noise. The snow has temporarily melted and it is quite warm (+ 6 degrees C / 43 F), so I might throw my camping gas stove, a pan, a Swiss fondue cheese mix and bread in my backpack and enjoy a quiet dinner in the woods. A cool place along Lake Thun is the river delta of Kander. Only a few minutes outside the town boundries of Thun. Park your car in Einigen, you cannot miss the river as you cross it on the road. So simply follow it for about 0,5 miles until you reach the delta. It's no problem to find enough logs to make your own fire, the view (especially with full moon) overlooking the lake and the lights of the lake-side villages along the far side of the lake is great. Watch out for sudden floods due to local weather in the mountains and the impact of a power station further up.

Great weather!

Live from Adelboden, after heavy snow fall yesterday, nothing can match a sunday of sking under the sun! Hope you guys out there have fun too.

Meiringen-Hasliberg

Sometimes one should not write too much, it would only spoil the image... enjoy - sorry for the poor quality, I took this pic with my mobile. Location: View on Lake Brienz (in fog) from Meiringen-Hasliberg, Alpine Tower Ski Region, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland.

Woodchopping

Looking for a winter activity other than skiing, snowboarding, ice skating or snowshoeing. Well, what about helping out a friend chopping fire wood in the forest. Believe me, that is some serious fitness training, you're out in the woods, fresh air, a mug of hot coffee during the breaks... I've tried this alternative activity, heaven on earth, is all i can say.