Zurich

Zurich - how wonderful or more especially Markus and Livia in Huntwangen who made our stay soooo amazing and special. Musn't forget Sydney and Pipo here the first bilingual dogs I have ever known. We stayed with them for a week and were made to feel so welcome from the moment we parked sweet Molly at the bottom of the steps to their beautiful Swiss house. We did so much and laughed so much in one week that I am unsure where to begin with this blog. The beginning I suspect. So to start. Arriving mid afternoon we sat down on the terrace with a wine/beer to nut out the weeks programme Markus had organised (we were fortunate and Markus unfortunate as he had had a shoulder operation and was on leave from his job as a police officer recovering). The sun was shining and at that time it was still warm. The list was lengthy and each day held something special to be done starting with a short drive to the Rhine, that first early evening, where we walked and sat by the river with a glass of wine while Livia stayed home to cook Spag Bol for dinner which was delicious. Overdosing on Swiss chocolate and Super Dickmanns after the meal we rolled into our comfortable bed (normally it is up the ladder we go) and slept like babies. Next day we were off to the Reinfeld Waterfall. Most will have seen photos on facebook because it is something that has to be seen as it defys description. Huge volumes of water have been crashing and cascading down this fall for centuries and if you were daring enough you could catch a boat to its epicentre and climb a tall shard of emerging rock - all that is left after years of erosion by the force of the water. We were told that wedding proposals are often made there. (Off limits for us!) That evening it was off to a Chinese smorgasboard for dinner. This was also Mongolian where you choose what you would like the chef to cook for you on the griddle. So delicious. So yes, once again, we rolled into bed and slept like babies. Waking up a tad late the next day we were off again to the top of Zurich!!!!!! Markus and Livia have a Nespresso coffee machine and a milk frothing machine so with a couple of stiff, strong coffees inside us we set off on our next adventure. A car ride, a train ride and a long uphill hike saw us reach the summit - eventually. Oh but it was worth it! The views of Zurich were to die for and another climb up a huge tower made the views even better. Returning home via DM - a shop where you can buy personal toiletries, haircare products, handsoaps, shower products etc etc for a fraction of the price of supermarkets - and another shop where wine is sold at discount on a Friday only (we bought 7 bottles for 27euro) - we struggled up the steps to the house. A quick change shower, a delicious early dinner and Markus's po...  guests started to arrive and Livia and I were off like rockets back into Zurich to meet up with Fransisca and go clubbing. 2am was our arrival time home, Gary was a little worse for wear but had retained his kitty miraculously and was snoring happily calling in the cows. A good evening was had by all but unfortunately little dancing. However, somehow or other, the fact that Gary dances with his thumbs up, just like Dan Carter runs, "thumbs up" dancing is now the rule and very fashionable with Livia and Fransisca???? This also creates much laughing and laughing and laughing, even with Gary - bless him. Next day we had a wedding reception to go to at a beautiful hotel in Zurich so there was no lie in for anyone. A workmate/friend of Markus's had married that morning and we had been invited with Markus and Livia to the aperitif section of the reception. This was rather beautiful and we met some very interesting people including some small but tough policewomen. From here we did a walking tour of Zurich which we really like as a city. When we first entered Switzerland we felt that it seemed austere and perhaps too regimented and orderly but our fears soon dissipated as we wandered around, finishing our tour at Markus's mothers bag shop on its final day of opening where all the beautiful leather stock was being sold at ridiculous prices. Of course there was cause for celebration so out came the champagne and nibbles in the middle of the shop, Gary bought a super, duper aerodynamic umbrella, I bought a super duper leather handbag and a scarf and Markus's mum gave us a lucky coin each for our travels. Big hugs and kisses all round and we were off again - Raclette was calling!!!!!!! Raclette is a traditional Swiss meal where cheese is grilled at the table whilst meat, mushrooms, corn and other vegetables are grilled on the top. Whole potatoes, gherkins etc are served and when your cheese is soft and gooey you pour it over the chopped up vegetables. This was really good fun and Fransisca and Rhudy joined us that night. And then the crocodile came out!!!!! If you press the wrong, or in this case right tooth, the head snaps down and a shot is drunk. Well I have a bit of a blank about the rest of the evening as does Fransisca so I guess the crocodile was not in our favour although Livia didn't fare that well either. However next day Gary and I had another date - brunch with Flo and Jenny - so no licking our wounds for us although the others were luckier. Now Markus and Flo were young lads who came to NZ to learn English and stayed with Gary and have kept in touch ever since so all this time spent with them was extremely special for Gary. They have both met lovely partners and are very happy with their lives. So Flo came to pick us up and back to Zurich we went where Jenny had prepared the most delicious brunch for us in their spacious apartment. Hours passed very quickly just chatting and eating as we caught up with their life, their hopes for the future and their travels and all too soon we were off again back to Huntwangen. NZ holds a very special place in their hearts and memorabilia adorns their apartment as a result. Thank you Jenny and Flo for the precious time we spent with you. Back at Markus's and we were off again to country fair in the next village to meet up with Livia's parents and grandmother. Everything in Switzerland is expensive but a free bus service had been laid on to get outlying people to the fair, much to Markus's surprise. A walk to Huntwangen village, a very nice coach ride and we were there -albeit a little chilly. This was a little like the local A and P show but we finally tracked the family down, wandered around, had some wine and sausage, sang lots of Swiss songs we didn't understand and left to travel back on our free bus with a dinner invitation for the following night with Livia's mother. We were very, very tired but very,very happy. The following morning was haircut morning for me. Livia was changing jobs so had a day off and had arranged the appointment for me. He, the Turkish hairdresser, cut 4 inches off my hair and I have to say it is the best haircut since I left NZ - and it's only going to grow again. Thanks Livia. Needing to blob out before our dinner date we all decided to go for a walk to Germany?????? Yes you can walk for an hour and cross two borders. So the Rhine it was and Sydney and Pipo really had fun chasing "whatevers" in the Maize fields. There is an abundance of excellent walks around this particular area  and all quite easy. A quick change and off for dinner at Brigitte's. The Swiss live comfortably, their furniture is modern and interesting. There is no carpet but tiles. The windows open every which way and have automatic shutters on the outside. Curtains are pretty and minimalist giving the houses a great sense of light. Brigittes garden was out of this world and everything is fashioned by hand. We took many photos as we would like the Lodge garden to be similar. Brigitte is not only a good gardener she is also an excellent cook serving us a traditional Swiss meal of Zuri gschnatzleds (get your tongue around that one if you can). For those of you who have seen the video that is what Gary and I are trying to say. So another lovely night was had by all and as Livia was starting her new job the next morning and we were all very tired we were packed off home with homemade cakes for the following day. Thank you Brigitte for a wonderful evening and wonderful food and welcoming us into your wonderful home. We will keep in touch. So our last full day was approaching and another morning walk with the dogs through the vineyards seemed a good idea. Leaving the road we passed Markus's neighbour who had been walking her dogs and had happened across some wild mushrooms. Ooing and arrhing over the sheer size and variety of them all we went on our merry way. That day Markus and Gary would save two beautiful birds entangled in the vine netting - cutting them free. It was a pleasure to see them fly away hopefully unscaithed. Arriving back home a basket of mushrooms was on the front doorstep, delivered by their lovely neighbour. Markus is a good cook himself and we had already tried his Mozzarella, tomato, basil, onion, balsamic vinegar and oil lunch which was fantastic so now he cooked the mushrooms to perfection. Our last meal together Markus had arranged for us to go on the Fondue cruise on Lake Zurich and we were to meet Livia at the harbour in Zurich. This was her first day in her new job and we were all anxious to hear how her day had been. No worries - all in her stride. She has a great job with lots of extras and is very happy. The fondue cruise boat was exceptional and the cheese fondue very, very filling. Zurich is beautiful by night, as well as by day, the lake having a rich "gold" side and a "not so rich"other side. We had a lot of laughs and a great deal of fun. Home to bed - our last night in a house before returning to Molly and making our way the following morning to Bodensee. So there we are - our very exciting week in Zurich. It was very difficult saying goodbye the following morning and extremely emotional too - but that is why we have viber and use it lots. Thanks Markus and Livia for all your planning and good fun - you thought of everything, even down to the Risoletto and you made our stay with you very, very special. One day we will see you in NZ or maybe sooner in Venice????!!!!!! Love to you both xxxx