Trains, Planes and Automobiles, plus more...

Well the day started off very well, an early start from Bern to Luzern and I was promptly at the main Bahnhof to catch the 07:30 train. Little can be said for Marissa as a last minute dash she made it with seconds to spare before the doors closed and we departed from Bern destine for a day of adventure. We weren't very smart not getting a Swiss Day Cards for 39 francs, so had to make do with the half tax rail pass instead. Yes Mum I know you are brighter than me and would have planned this in advance, but as I like to leave things to the last minute I was a bit too late. Anyway where was I, oh yeah, on the train bound for Luzern. So what were we doing up so early? Well getting an early start so we could cram in a busy day. Once in Luzern, sun shining we walked along the promenade toward the "Verkehrshaus museum" which is the transport museum, full of all shape and sizes of different transport contraptions, cars, planes, boats, bikes, trains, etc. so well worth a visit if you like that sort of thing. Arriving just before 10:00 we had a few minutes to wait before the doors opened and we were allowed in. .......TBC

What a Day!

Yes what a day! Well it all started off pretty good, the weather forecast was sun, sun and more sun with a few clouds and would be 27'. Well that is what I thought, actually in Bern it was like this all day and you could do a spot of sunbathing, but for me out on a bike up in the mountains it was not quite how I imagined and was little prepared for what was to come. So getting up relatively early for a Sunday at around 07:00, too early for me, but I was very eager to get out on the bike and test the little Monster. Maybe not so little as it is a 1000cc with a wonderful roar and an engine that give you a thrill puring away between your legs. Now, now, keep it clean! So off I set for the 3 passes, not sure if I would do all 3 but for sure I was going to get to the Grimselpass come what may. Actually I nearly had to eat my words as I very nearly turned around and gave up, but hang on I will get to that in a minute. My route took me from Bern on the smaller, more scenic roads and off the main highway, so a far better way to see the countryside and try out the nice windy roads. I followed the route to Thun, Spiez, then on to Interlaken, up to Brienz, alone the lake and heading towards Meiringen. Once there I filled up with fuel as I did not want to run out of fuel half way up or down a mountain. Only 13 Francs and the tank was full and enough petrol to get me there and maybe even back to Bern, so not so bad. Stopping to fill up I also spoke to a fellow biker Thomas on his way up to the 3 passes, a common thing on a weekend. Thomas was over for Stuttgart (Germany) for a weeks holiday and watching his brother compete in one of these crazy triathlons, swimming 3km across Thunersee, cycling 120km and then a run up to the top of the Schilthorn (2970m high). Mad, mad people! Anyway back to my trip, so as this guy had done the trip before he said I could follow him to the Grimselpass and depending on the ride I could carry on to the other passes or return. Up until now the weather was perfect, warm and sunny, but as we set off, I said to Thomas if I hold you up I will see you at the top. For the first 30 minutes it was fine, I was close behind him, although he did have a sports bike and head down overtaken everything in his path. I thought this was not my idea of riding so I took my time, enjoying the scenery and wanted to get there in one piece, especially as it was a hired bike, my first time up a Swiss mountain and the longest time I had been on the Ducati. So with this in mind I plodded along up the very step and windy mountain roads. Then as I was about half way up my assent, the weather changed, the clouds came over and the skies closed in around me and it literally 'pissed down with rain', so much so I was soaked, it went right through everything, so I was like a drown rat on a bike. Then to add more discomfort then came the mist, so much that you could not see a hand in front of you and with the tight windy road it was pretty dangerous. But I felt that only 13km to the summit I was going to carry on as I was already wet through and there was no shelter until I could get to the restaurant at the top. Riding with a lot of care and attention I was slowly getting closer and closer, when the thunder and lightening came, followed by large hailstones, which bloody hurt pelting off your body. Eventually I made it, got to the top, parked up and walked through into the warmth of the restaurant to join the other sodden bikers. My German buddy Thomas said he missed all the bad weather and arrived just as it started. Lucky bastard I thought, but then he had 2 other passes to get to before he would return, so I was sure it would catch him at some point. Once in the restaurant I had a hearty meal and some warm drinks, thawed out and managed to dry my clothes. After an hour the weather turned and the sun came out, so we decided to go our own way and part company, I was returning back down the mountain the way I had came and looked forward to get back to Interlaken, this being my focus at that point. Well halfway back down the mountain and after a few stops for pictures the rain came again and it was a mad dash to stay ahead of it, but not my luck as it followed me all the way to Interlaken before it subsided. From Interlaken to Thun it was not so bad, although raining it was not bad and yes I was soaked again. To save time at this point I thought F**k it and I'll take the fast way home from Interlaken to Bern on the highway, which saved a lot of time and I could see the sun was in the distance. Arriving back in Bern it was a beautiful sunny day with a few clouds. I was blown dry on the bike and was damp by the time I got home, cold and was in desperate need of a hot bath to warm up. I was a little annoyed seeing people out without shirts on (the men not women) and shorts, meanwhile I was wet and cold. So I parked up the bike at home, got inside and ran a warm bath to thaw out and warm up.. All in all I have had the most intensive and invigorating bike tour ever and although at times I was cold and miserable it was the most exhilarating and breathtaking experience I have had in a long time and I look forward to the next. Oh.. and by the way the bike was fantastic, so it passed the test for me!

My Monster

Today I picked up a Ducati Monster for another exciting tour around Switzerland, not sure where I will be going on Sunday (the offical rental day) but somewhere up a mountain near Meiringen 1 of the 3 Swiss mountain passes, although there are dozens of passes these are called the 3. I will take my camera to capture some of the beautiful scenery on the way. Ok, enough for now, although already I feel more comfortable on the Ducati than the Triumph Triple Speed and I do love the sound of the engine, more to follow tomorrow...............

Pole to Pole

Poland and back in a day is tough. I was up at 05:00 and arrived home at 19:30, not so bad today but normally if I got the last flight out of Warsaw I'm normally home at midnight. Today was easier apart from the mother and 3 kids that all managed to cry, or should I say scream for the full duration of the flight, not just disturbing me (sat in the row behind) but the whole flight. I was only too pleased to get off the plane and seek some peace and quiet. And no it was not my face that made them all cry, actually when I smiled at the kids they stopped, well for about 5 seconds. Lucky for me the flight is only 1.5 hours and not long haul, otherwise I would have joined in the crying!

"On Her Majesty’s Secret Service"

Schilthorn - Piz Gloria It’s worth the journey for the views. From Mürren, the valley floor is 800m straight down, and the panorama of snowy peaks filling the sky is dazzling: you gaze across at the blank wall of the Schwarzmönch, with the great Trümmelbach gorge slicing a wedge of light into the dark rock, while the awesome trio of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are ranged above and behind in picture-perfect formation. From Mürren, the cable-car continues its breathtaking ride up to Birg and on to the Schilthorn summit (2970m), where you can enjoy exceptional panoramic views and sip cocktails in the revolving Piz Gloria summit restaurant, featured in the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The trip’s less expensive than that to the Jungfraujoch (which is very expensive unless you are Japanese), and also less of a tourist merry-go-round, but just as memorable. The exposed terrace on the top is, if anything, even more dramatic than the Jungfraujoch, with a wraparound vista of icy peaks all around, from the Eiger to the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc, also offering a clear sight down to Thun and Bern, if you get a clear day of course, not like us as it was very patchy and we grabbed a quick glimpse through the mist. Fares on the Schilthornbahn are steep, but not outrageous. From Stechelberg to the top is currently Fr.85 round trip, from Mürren Fr.57. Eurailers pay 75 percent and Swiss Pass holders travel free to Mürren and pay 75 percent from there upwards. Luckily for my parents they purchased a Swiss rail card so they were ok and I did have my 1/2 tax rail pass so not so bad. Arriving at Mürren which itself was “discovered” by the British in the 1840s is beautiful and has a long tradition both of winter sports and of hospitable gentility – some of the first competition skiing in Switzerland was done on the slopes around Mürren. An Englishman, Arnold Lunn, claims to have invented the slalom here in 1922, while the famous “Inferno” amateur downhill race from the Schilthorn peak to Mürren (a descent of 2170m) was held for the first time in 1928, and is still an annual fixture in February. The Schilthorn cable-car station is at the southern end of the village; at the opposite, northern, end is Mürrenbahn train station, starting point for the cliff-edge train to Grütschalp. Once at the top, a little more chilly as the temperature can drop 10' but you can warm up and eat a delicious meal at the world's first revolving restaurant, with prices that are comparable with any restaurant so not going to blow your budget. You can even eat a James Bond spaghetti, whilst watching the 360' view. Then get yourself out on the the big terrace and enjoy the spectacular mountain ranges! A great day out so worth doing....

Bloomin' lovely

Having a balcony without flowers is not so good, so whilst my parents are over I have set them a little task and help me with the balcony decorations. Plants, plants and more plants! Well I manged to hire a mobility car, very easy to do so on the internet and within a few minutes all booked and we were on our way to the local mobility center to pick up the car (10 minutes walking away). I booked 2 hours thinking this will be enough to get to a garden centre and back, well we only just made it in time, as choosing flowers and balcony furniture is not so easy. Anyway all done and back in time and I left the flower arranging to my Mum who loved every minute. So I now have my own reclining wooden chairs and plants.

Bowling tonight

You win some you loose some! As there was no badminton this week 6 of use decided that we should play 10 pin bowling at the local (next to the Bern hookers) bowling center. Well like usual I arrived late and missed the first game so joined in for the next 2. My first game was terrible, and I was 4th so not so good. But for me this was a warm up game and I told them I was going to show them how to play in the last game. We as I was going last the pressure was on, especially as the first guy got 2 strikes in a row on his first couple of goes. Well not to be out done I got 3 strike in my first 3 goes so was now leading. I continued to play pretty good and no one could catch me up, I actually won easily with the highest score of the evening with 154, not bad as my all time record is 163. So I told them I would win and I did so I was pleased and now they refuse to play with me again!! haha.. Back to badminton next week, so they will teach me a lesson for beating them as their game is better than mine, well they have been hoing for many, many years and this is my first year, so they better watch out as I'm improving fast!

Your the Apple of my PIE!

A big thanks to Marissa who very kindly made a wonderful apple pie for me and my parents. All made from her fair hand and the apples from her garden. We all enjoyed this and had it polished off in 2 days. Very Delicious!

Parents are back in town

Here again, now I know what it's like to look after a couple of kids. My parents don't need an excuse to come to visit me, especially to explore such a beautiful country. Equipped with their Swiss pass for all public transport they make the most out of the trains, trams, buses, boats and some cable cars. As I was extremely busy this week with work and the weather for the first few days was colder and raining I thought they should jump on the train and get themselves down to Lugano where the forecast was warm and sunny. So without further a do, this is exactly what they did, and for me I could finish off some work ready for their return 2 days later. There is always a fine balance between work and play and with my particular job you can rarely plan this as it chances so frequently.

Horsing around!

Bern National Equestrian Centre is a place I pass when I cycle to the gym and the smell hits you first of the horses and then the atmosphere of people riding, which always gives me a nostalgic feeling of wanting to be back on a horse. So one day whilst cycling past I decided to stop and enquire if I could ride a horse. Firstly I had to find the person in charge and then hope that they spoke English as I think I would have to make sign language to explain this otherwise, which could be rather amusing. Once I had established Mr. Bienz (Herr Hans Bienz) not Mr. Heinz Beans as I first thought, I was half way to requesting a horse. Actually he is a very pleasant man and has a massive task of managing the stables, the events and everything to do with the Equestrian Centre, so I was very pleased he had the time and patients for me. He asked if I rode and I told him I had but a while ago, well actually last November in Spain and 9 years prior to that weeks holiday, which I omitted from saying. He arranged for me to have a horse, asked one of the girls to saddle up for me and then I lead the horse out of the stables and was ready to go. Mr. Bienz then said I was free to ride the horse around the outside arena (which was busy with rider and their buggies, in preparation for a show on the weekend, and I thought I did not want to piss them off weaving in and out of them I asked if I could use the horse jumping show ground), to which Hans said of course but don't go jumping. I thought no bloody way as I was worried about staying on the horse let alone any jumps, even striding a puddle would amount to a jump for me.

So now it was time to get on the horse and I had to remember this and with no assistance I had to show I was in charge of the horse and I knew what I was doing. Easier said that done, but I managed to mount the horse (named Dubio, or something like that). Hans said I better take a whip as he can have a mind of his own and I may need this to bring him under control. Shit!, I thought, this is just what I need, a rookie left alone with a horse with no supervision as Hans said he has some work to do and will come out and check on me in 20 minutes. 20 minutes! I thought to myself, I could have a wild horse and be thrown off into a bush somewhere, or have a mad horse running wild, taking me over the jumps for 20 minutes. Anyway off I went, trying not to show any fear, as I hear that a horse can sense fear, or maybe they can smell it as people have often sh*t themselves and the horse takes this as a sign to play up. After 1 complete circuit of the entire perimeter of the show ground, walking the horse of course, I was starting to get my confidence. Remembering some some details like keeping my heels down, not pulling the reigns too tight, squeezing the horses belly to let him know I'm still on top, slightly nudging him along with my heels and the most important thing before I started off was to ensure the saddle was re-tightened as horses have a habit of pushing their belly out when you put the saddle on and if you don't get another couple of belt clicks on each side of the saddle you are sure to slide right off. Yes a bit like in the movies!

So in my jobbers, my chaffs, my riding hat and whip I must have looked like a real professional plonker! Well it wasn't long before I had made a few circuits, each time a bit more adventurous and I even cantered around the next couple and spotted Hans shouting over to me. I thought he was saying you f**kin' idiot what are you doing sitting on the horse the wrong way around, the head the the other end, but he was actually saying I was doing well and can take the horse back when I'm ready. To tell the truth I was exhausted, it was a long 20 minutes already and I was sweating more than the horse and I was beat. My legs, my back and whole body ached, but I could not quit yet as I have not had a gallop. By the way I forgot to mention it was a dull overcast day and was slightly raining, so not too pleasant. Anyway once Hans was gone out off sight I decided this was it and John Wayne eat your heart out as I'm the new kid on the block. Getting a horse to gallop is not so easy and in the line that you think you are pointing them is also not easy. Well kicking Dubio on (not so hard as I did not want a flat out gallop), he started to move. Slowly at first but with a little persuasion he was in his stride and off we went in perfect harmony. Well a bit of a bumpy start (I think he had the wrong fuel), but soon we were on our way, racing around the show ground, sometimes going where I wanted but mostly going where Dubio decided was best and as he seemed to know the show ground better than I then who was I to tell him....

Well after about an hour I was shot, so we went back to the stables and I removed his 'tack' I think that's the word for all his gear and washed him down and he went straight to his bed, lay down and was straight off to sleep. Lucky bugger as I was more exhausted and I had to cycle home, wet and muddy. So I thanked Hans, gave him his 50 Francs (cheap I thought for all this fun) and we left it open for the next time where he would like one of the girls to accompany me and show me some technique. Well that could be extra fun and I know what these stable girls are like, or is that just in the movies also??

I like to ride my bicycle I like to ride my BIKE!

Not quite a bicycle but a Triumph Triple Speed 1050 on hire for the weekend from Hess in Ostermundigen. Yes easy for me to say! more to follow.................................