It’s after midnight and I’m sat in front of heaps of geography papers and notes, trying to summarise it into last minute revision notes that Hawklad can use. Saxon playing on the record player, trying to keep awake. Typing this as I desperately needed a break. We are both completely frazzled, definitely stressed out. Wow do I wish we were somewhere else, playing out dreams, relaxed and having fun. Switzerland, wish we were there right now.
Back to 2012, a very different time. As a fair chunk of the country went Olympics Mad, we headed to Switzerland. Our Games was an Olympic torch visiting Hawklad’s school and a quarter final football match featuring Brazil.
The train out of the country was so quiet for that time of year. A few returning french athletes who had completed their events. Such a different story on the trains heading into London, mobbed with athletes and spectators. Paris Gare de Nord was really chaotic but strangely fun.
Then it was time to breathe and have wonderful alpine adventures. Yes the Olympics are special but give us Switzerland every single time.
Have you ever nearly been arrested at Airport Security.
It almost happened twice to me, twice in 7 days.
Heading towards a family trip to wonderful Switzerland, we found ourselves going through airport security at Leeds Bradford Airport. I was taking a young Hawklad through the dreaded body scanner when Hawklad set the scanner off. Apparently he had an alien object in his shoe sole. Several large armed guards quickly surrounded us….
His muppet Dad had completely forgotten that his new shoes had a hidden special feature. A small Transformer like toy in a compartment located underneath the sole.
That took some explaining before we made it onto the flight……
Unbelievably as we boarded the plane, the Pilot let Hawklad look round the cockpit prior to takeoff. Not sure that was supposed to happen these days. Still Hawklad loved that and yes the pilot was asked about every button.
A spectacular week in The Alps and then trouble at the airport again. This time at Zurich.
Going through passport security, and we faced the question – ‘have you anything to declare’. Hawklad helpfully answered that one.
A couple of days earlier we had visited Zermatt on a seriously hot day. This parent had treated Hawklad to an ice lolly and for himself, an ice cold SHANDY. Hawklad was puzzled by my drink. What’s that. I explained it was mucky beer and lemonade. Dad can I try it. Mum was off somewhere and out of sight. Why not, a small sip.
So to the question, ANYTHING TO DECLARE, Hawklad decided to come clean.
YES, MY DAD GAVE ME A MUCKY BEER…
Thankfully this time I wasn’t surrounded my armed guards.
You know what, I really miss those holidays. I wish I was in Switzerland right now. I’m dreaming.
Surely it’s time to have a wander down memory lane to family holidays to magical Switzerland.
Ask Hawklad to name his favourite playground and without hesitation he goes for the ‘one by the Swiss Lake’. It sits on the banks of Lake Thun, between Spiez and Faulensee. So many trips there. So much Hawklad happy playtime there.
Looking at the latest web photos, it’s changed so much since we we’re last there in 2015, lots of money spent on it. Now it’s called Spielplatz Piratenbucht and it still looks wonderful. Aptly given the name it’s a great place to watch boats as well.
Guess where we will be visiting when we do get back to this special country. More memories to be made, just like this photo below. The man stretching in blue had just been subjected to 10 minutes of Hawklad telling him all about Doctor Who. Poor man didn’t speak a word of English. He just stood there smiling and nodding. Trying to explain to this man what Little Hawklad had been telling him really did stretch my German. Try explaining a Dalek to someone who has no idea who this person Dr Who in a language your not entirely fluent in….
2013.
2013 October.
Where did those years go.
A family break to Wonderful Switzerland during the October School Half Term. One morning where the clouds dominated. We caught a bus to a remote village a few miles away from Lake Thun. That bus ride made me smile so much. Every time someone got on the bus they greeted everyone with a cheerful hello as they found a seat, I could get use to that. After the bus ride we found ourselves walking through farmland, rolling hills, heading back towards the Lake.
We found eventually ourselves at a lakeside hamlet just in time to catch the ferry for a leisurely trip back towards Spiez.
Definitely a good day, but was it really 9 years ago.
It’s just turned Sunday here in the UK. I’m sat nursing a bruised foot, shin and fingers. That’s what happens when you walk into a metal road sign, drop a heavy box on your foot and then try to fix a large hole in the fence with a Thor like hammer. Try is the optimal word. As the light failed the fence was still is still with hole. Lots of bruises with so little end products.
OH PANTS.
So I need calming. Time to look at family holiday photos. Only one place will do tonight. Switzerland. Yes definitely time to walk in the Alps and forget about the bruises.
Switzerland work your magic.
It’s a few minutes past midnight here in England. A muppet dad is fighting to put on duvet covers. In this case, a ‘George from Peppa Pig’ cover. The duvet cover is winning….. What makes it worse is that it’s for my bed. Hawklad wouldn’t dream of sleeping under that these teenage days. But it’s still a good cover so, waste not want not. Plus as it’s just me under that duvet, who will ever know.
So can you keep a secret……
Anyway I have given up the cover battle for a few moments and I’m thinking 2015.
I wouldn’t have got away with that themed cover back in 2015. Not a chance. Back in 2015 it was also our last holiday we had as a family of three. Seven days in beautiful Switzerland.
The next time we go back to The Alps things will be very different and not just what’s allowable in terms of bed furnishings. I had hoped that 2022 might have been return year but maybe things are still against a trip this year but you ever know. But wow, I wish I was there right now. I wish I was back in Switzerland.
Sunday has arrived here and it’s time for our weekly trip to Alpine dreamland. Let’s visit SWITZERLAND.
On all out trips we stayed at the same hotel. Perfect. Next to a beautiful marina. Wonderful castle right behind it. Views of a perfect mountain across the water.
Every stay we got to speak to the hotel owner. A wonderful chap who has done some living in his many years . So full of stories. A favourite one was him being a skiing extra in a James Bond movie set in Switzerland. He never forgot the name of a guest. Always there at Breakfast giving advice on where to have the next adventure and how the weather was going to be in that area. His love for his country so evident and so infectious. Every trip we would find out from him more and more things about why Switzerland is so very special. With pride he would tell visitors all the things that his country had given to the world.
So to honour him (apparently he is still there, still looking after his guests), let’s think about Switzerlands awesomeness.
Gave the world milk chocolate, Velcro, numbered bank accounts, The Red Cross, solar powered air travel, Muesli…….
Gave the world The Swiss Army Knife, cellophane, hay fever medication, bobsleigh, aluminium foil, Rosti ……lol
Gave the world The Zip, cup a soups, spaghetti, fondue……
And Roger Federer.
It’s Sunday so that means one thing here. Let’s take a virtual trip to Switzerland.
We still don’t know when we are going back yet but we have decided one thing. It will be a 1900 mile car roundtrip. England, across France, Switzerland. No tunnel, Hawklad wants a ferry journey to France.
Now let’s see when Hawklad is ready to go.
I love Switzerland. So many holidays, so many memories. It’s such a special place. I would move there in a heartbeat. Hopefully these Sunday homages give just a feel for why I feel that way. But it’s not just me. Hawklad feels the same way. It’s a country where he feels comfortable and safe. He finds it exciting and full of wonder. Yes Switzerland is special.
A Dad trying to cope with the loss of his Partner and becoming a single parent. 