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Swiss Sunday

Grindelwald….and not that Harry Potter wizard version.

That’s some train station. Waiting for a train was never a bind here at Grindelwald.

I have a real soft spot for this wonderful alpine village. First time I came to Switzerland. Arrived late on a Saturday night. The first morning in alpine paradise, a time before Hawklad, we headed out by train to this very place. Arrived at this station. As it snowed, we caught a cable car and headed into the clouds. Wandered around a world that I had never experienced before. Feeling like you could reach out and almost touch The Eiger Summit. Grindelwald was the door that opened this amazing land to me.

When I find the photos from that epic first trip I will share more but here are photos from a few years later. 2013. Is it really 9 years.

That’s a golf course with a view…

Wow Hawklad was a lot smaller.

I can’t wait for that next bit of Grindelwald.

Posted on by bereavedandbeingasingleparent · 48 Comments

Swiss Sunday

I was asked why we often stayed at the same hotel on our trips to Switzerland. Every morning, flinging open the bedroom curtains, standing on the balcony and you get this view.

You get this view.

That’s why…….

And the view at the back of the hotel isn’t bad at all.

I wish I could have that view tomorrow morning, maybe one day soon. Let’s hope for more adventures in all our daily life’s.

Posted on by bereavedandbeingasingleparent · 36 Comments

Swiss Sunday

Just looking at a postcard I received this week.

One lucky soul had made it to Switzerland. Apparently it was a bit of a nightmare journey – that was just trying to get out of England. One of the many benefits of Brexit is clearly enhanced chaos and delays at the Border. A border which we had so struggled to live without for decades. I must admit a thought crossed my increasingly tired mind. We are most definitely on the wrong side of that new border. Maybe one day Europe beckons.

Looking at the postcard it reminds me that adventures are still there to be had. Switzerland is ready and waiting. Yes it will be a logistical and parenting nightmare getting Hawklad there, even more so these days. But it has been far too long since our last trip. Far too long. Wow we could do with those alpine days right now. Let’s hope it’s not much longer now.

Posted on by bereavedandbeingasingleparent · 38 Comments

Swiss Sunday

It’s time to spend a few moments walking amongst the lakes and mountains of alpine perfection. To remember precious family trips to Switzerland. But there is so much more. Every day I’m thinking more and more about future trips. Living out hopes and dreams there. It won’t happen today but it can definitely still happen in the future. You just know when something feels right.

Posted on by bereavedandbeingasingleparent · 26 Comments

Swiss Sunday

Where did that week go. Was it really 7 days since I was spouting on about a family holiday to that dream land called Switzerland. For Hawklad’s Granny’s seventh birthday we found ourselves in the alpine mountain top village of Wengen. Over 4000ft up in the stunning Alps. Granny decided that a seventh birthday deserved a race. She would take the leisurely way using the cable cars and trains. Unlike in my case, age brings much wisdom. The rest of the family would race her down by walking the mountain path down into the valley. Who would arrive in Lauterbrunnen first. A wonderful village set in a mountain valley of 72 waterfalls…..

Never going to be a contest. Rickety legs versus the precision perfectness of Swiss Public Transport. But what a walk down into the valley. Impossible to take your eyes off one the worlds most atmospheric mountains, The Eiger.

Happy memories. The family is much smaller now but the memories are still strong. Can’t wait to return to that magical land.

Posted on by bereavedandbeingasingleparent · 38 Comments

Swiss Sunday

Almost 11 years to the day we had headed to Switzerland for a weeks holiday. This time it was different, a celebration for her mum’s 70th birthday. Many of her family were also arriving that week as well. As part of that week we all made our way Murren. A stunning ski resort set high up in the Alps. A special place as it is cut off from the motoring world. You can’t drive there. The only way is via spectacular cable cars and connected trains.

Wow does that make a difference to the feel of the village. The quiet.

Like the rest of the week, deep blue skies and glorious weather. A wonderful walk around the quiet streets. Then a perfect meal on a hotel balcony overlooking the snow covered mountains.

Next week let’s complete the special family day out.

Posted on by bereavedandbeingasingleparent · 27 Comments

Swiss Sunday

It’s just turned Sunday here in the UK and my thoughts are shifting to a country 1000 miles from here. A land of mighty mountains, stunning lakes and peaceful valleys. So many family holidays . So many memories. I might be in the UK but I wish I was in Switzerland.

Posted on by bereavedandbeingasingleparent · 26 Comments

Swiss Sunday

About 10 years ago I remember talking to a super polite Japanese Guy in who was sat next to us in Geneva Airport. Someone who had seen years and years of life. He told the story about how he had attended an international conference here in Geneva during the sixties. At that stage he hated travel, hated being away from Japan. That all changed on that trip to Switzerland. He fell in love with another country. Since then he had travelled for a holiday here, every single year without fail. He said he would keep coming until his body failed.

I knew why he said that. I understood immediately his sentiments. I still do. I wish I was there right now.

Posted on by bereavedandbeingasingleparent · 26 Comments

Swiss Sunday

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.

Posted on by bereavedandbeingasingleparent · 29 Comments

Swiss Sunday

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.