April 26th, 2007 | categorizilation: all categories,Switzerland
They don’t do things by halves when it comes to holiday homes in the mountains here in Switzerland. Many of these mountain ‘cribs’ as they are called in southern New Zealand, are renovated places.
Today I had the pleasure of visiting my host Dominique’s sister’s crib up past a little village called Daillon.
The crib is located at an altitude of 1,700m, and it is one of the highest locations in the surrounding area. On a good day you can see Matterhorn. Yesterday I had to be content with only having panoramic views of the valley far below and towering mountains behind.
The crib is a renovated cow shed dating back to 1850. Heating and cooking is done on the massive wood-powered Stanley stove, electricity for lighting is by solar, and water heating is by gas.
We went for a short walk up the hill with Attila. He was more interested in the small things than getting anywhere in particular. He reminded me of the importance of the journey, rather than the destination.
Rob,
Reading about your adventures makes me want to visit the country again. I have fond memories of St Gallen. I guess you wont get to see it but where you are now sounds like it is very similair. I was amazed at how old everything is in Switzerland compared to NZ. It made me realise how young NZ is compared to the rest of the world.
Dad
You should update your route. I think it would be interesting to see the variation between you original plan and what you actually did. Thanks for all the great reading and pics!
Loretta, thank you for the comment, and you're right about the route page. I have however pretty much stuck to the plan. Just a few minor variations here and there. I'm planning on updating the route page when I get the chance.
Dad, I do plan on trying to get to St Gallen at some stage. I have people I know in Luzern which I think is towards that direction. It'll just depend how things go with time off at work.
Hey mate, just got sent the link to your site – quite a journey you've had!
Am living in london now so feel free to get hold of me when you're in town – looks like you've had an awesome adventure!
can't believe you just land on your feet at every turn, I suspect this is to make up being chased and almost eaten by the dogs from hell! You should take up doing the lottery… Also can't believe yet another week has rushed past. Without as much as hello or goodbye…
any old how stick to the smooth bit of the road and hope you enjoy the Alps.
regards from darkest surrey
Bonjour Rob ! Ca va?
It seems you are having a great time and you are exploring parts of Switzerland which I have never visited myself. But I have cycled down the Rhone Valley. Easy – downhill anyway! Great area.
But St.Gallen is different.
So tell us now about those secret banks – Goldsteem!.
And that Raclet and the wine bit. Oh… I think I'm coming over, Goldsteem.
(for the non Kiwi visitors, "Goldsteem" is a famous person in a banking commercial) maybe Rob would be suitable for the role as well, might be a well payed job.!
Au revoir Rob!
Markus, I have much inside info on the Swiss secrets. I was talking to an officer in the Swiss army the other day, and he told me that the mountians of Switzerland are much like their cheese. Full of holes for armies to march through. And all that 'no name on the bank statement' thing in the banks sounds like just the thing I need to accomplish my plan for world domination. Mu ha ha.
Cheers Simon. London will be a while away yet, but we should indeed meet up in the motherland!
Carl, they only want me for my bicycle.
LOL what in a sort of enriching their sad and lonely lives kinda way!
Hope your current hosts and future hosts don't read this… have you worked out if you've lost any weight? how many calories you've used up or other really complex stats you only ever do when cycling miles and miles without much else to ponder over?
Wheel revolutions, chain or pedal revolutions or other bizzare facts?
Just catching up again as I've been away on holiday for the past 2 weeks. Wouldn't mind staying at the crib in the mountains myself!
