September '08

Sept. Update (posted in Nov!!! it's ken's fault)

We had a great September, although it went by very quickly.

We were thrilled to have our friends from Canada visit. They were touring Italy and made time for a couple days with us along their way. Our time was too short, but we made we most of it. We caught up with each other over a leisurely dinner that lasted for hours. We talked ‘til our friends were exhausted and made plans for the next day. We went for a walk/hike in the old town, through some vineyards, on a hiking trail, and eventually made our way to Ken’s office and the lake-side boardwalk. We shared photos and stories and plunged into a pot of fondue in the evening. All too soon we had to say goodbye as they continued on their tour to France. It was great fun to have shared that time.

In mid Sept., we went to this event “Route Gourmande”- meaning ‘gourmet route’. It was a wine tasting and typical swiss meal, only it took place in the vineyards, and you walked your way from one course to another. 5 courses, 5 kilometres and about 4 hours! First they gave us a glass and we chose the wine we wanted to sample and tasted some homemade pastry. Then we walked along with our glass and there was a traditional appetizer of ‘cold cuts’ meat served with dill pickles and homemade bread. Ken ate the meat off my plate while we sat by a fountain next to a cluster of houses and barns. A group of musicians were on a break, but we could hear an accordion and guitar as we topped up our glasses and headed off through the vineyards ‘til we came upon another cluster of houses. We tasted another wine and got a bowl of beet soup. This time there were a group playing the ‘alpenhorns’ ( you know-from the “Ricola” commercial). We wound our way up the side of the mountain ‘til we came into a little village. Here we were served a chicken stew in puff pastry, and more wine. We sat on an old stone wall to admire the spectacular view out over the vineyards and Montreux while we ate. Then it was on the trail again. Next stop was wine only… I guess they thought we might need to re-fill by then. We didn’t stay long there, although it seemed to be a very popular spot. Next was the cheese course. They could have been more generous with the quantity, but it was good. So was the assortment of homemade breads they served with it. We continued on our way and came to the dessert course and some sweeter wines. After that, there was an area set up to sell all the local wines that were on offer, so you could take some favourites home with you. They also had a big tent set up with long tables, and it appeared that plenty of people were buying a bottle to share with each other at the end of the tour. There was a table full of homemade breads too, and we picked up a loaf. It was a really pleasant afternoon of walking, eating, and sipping on wine! We enjoyed it a lot, and when we saw just how close we were to Montreux, we decided to walk home. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

September has brought cooler temperatures and the need for a jacket. Ken and I remind ourselves that we really need to adjust to these cooler temps! After three years of 30degrees every day … we have some adjusting to do. We don’t want to just stay inside ‘til it gets warm again, we want to stay active and be outside too.

So to be active and get warm, we have joined a local gym. This place is above the shopping centre, and has just been re-opened with all new equipment. The best thing is that in the changing rooms there is a sauna and a steam room. That means we can ‘warm up our bones’ in the winter. I find that deep heat stays with me a long time. There is a tanning bed (which I won’t use) and a solarium too, so I can sit and relax under the heat and light from the sun if it gets dark and dreary- which I think it will. We’re next to the lake, and backed by the mountains, so I am expecting fog, clouds and rain as the seasons change and the temp. of the water and the air differs so much. I hear that it can be mild and sunny throughout the winter, so we’ll see.

On Saturday, the 27^th, we went to Zurich (in northern Switzerland) for the day. We walked around the city and had a very expensive coffee and hot chocolate! We came across a market of ‘second hand everything’. Some things were antique, some things just curious – like licence plates from B.C. and Alberta, and some things just “stupid expensive”. It seemed that people expected to re-cooperate the cost of their original investment. There were a lot of designer name clothes, but too price-y for used goods! It was an eye opening experience.

Wandering through the old cobblestone streets of the city and having a picnic at the side of a grand old church in a city square was pleasant too, and the day passed by quickly.

The following day, we went to this festival in a little village near Lausanne (the nearest large city to us - 30 mins. by train). This festival seemed more geared to kids, so we left there and went to Lausanne and had pizza by the lake in a little Italian restaurant. Then we just took the train to a village on the way home and we walked through the vineyards on the road to home. The weather was gorgeous and we walked for over 3 hours before finally taking the train the rest of the way home. We are reminded once again of how beautiful it is here.So you see, we are trying to get out and see the area and get some fresh air and exercise at the same time.

Let’s see what October has in store! ‘Til next time…