Coffee Helps

Did you know that there’s such a place as Heidiland? Obviously I had to go there. It’s wayyyyy over in eastern Switzerland, which meant a long drive from where I’m staying near the French border, but it was worth the early start and the aching back as soon as I left the car and started [...]

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I don’t think I’ve ever done as much exploring as I have in the past few weeks, but really, it’s just far too beautiful here not to get out and about every day! The problematic thing about this is that I’m finding it very difficult to keep track of everything I’ve done and all the [...]

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Charlie Chaplin is buried near here, in a lakeside town called Vevey. I can’t say I’m a fan of Chaplin. I don’t have anything against him, particularly – I’ve just never exactly been inspired or entertained by any of his work. And, while I can respect him for having brought laughter and comic relief to [...]

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I have developed a sudden and unexpected interest in big rocks sitting around in fields. This is a little disturbing, as it means that I am becoming even more of a nerd than I was before, but really, it is fascinating. No, really. I come from a country that apparently has one of the highest [...]

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Aosta was a lovely first introduction to Italy for me. You can see and feel the difference as soon as you emerge from the tunnel through to the Italian side of the Alps: the sweeping fields and neat hillsides dotted with tiny, red-roofed Swiss chalets, cows, goats etc. suddenly become ancient villages and sleepy towns, [...]

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“Let’s go and get pizza for lunch today,” suggested Riho, who is visiting me for a couple of weeks. I agreed cheerfully. Pizza is pizza, after all, even if it does cost a fortune in this country (like everything else, incidentally). I asked whether he had anywhere in mind, and he nodded, looking up from [...]

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I really didn’t know that wine was such a big deal in Switzerland. The House Owner looked at me in some surprise as we drove to the airport for her departure the other week and I asked what “all those things growing in the fields” were. Those are vineyards, dear, she told me in a [...]

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Baino recently took part in an “interview meme”, and she kindly gave me some questions so that I could play too. So, that’s today’s post taken care of! What is your favourite pastime/s? Exploring new places. I am addicted to travel… no, wait. I hate travelling. I am addicted to arrival. I love the thrill [...]

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Switzerland is beautiful. I always assumed it would be, but I was unprepared for the sheer take-your-breath-away, bring-tears-to-your-eyes magnitude of the beauty. I no longer feel fit to call myself a writer, because I simply cannot find the words to describe my surroundings. Or rather, I can find the words, but I don’t know how [...]

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I am investigating a market stall in the picturesque lakeside town of Vevey (click here for my photos). The stall appears to be a food-related one, selling something called Raclette. The stall owner greets me cheerily. They are very cheery, in Switzerland. I am still trying to decide whether they’re incredibly friendly and warm or [...]

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