We had ambition for Big Ben and all, but decided to put London’s tourist attractions on ice till next time round as fatigue, minimal time, and a fear of Oxford Street’s shopping called for better reason. Slept in, jogged round Wandsworth Common twice, sifted through packing, and got kindly taken by Kevin to the new Terminal 5. The most impressive airport experience I’ve been through. And onward, with a delay like all our travel, to Zurich.
(The River Rhine running through Schaffhausen)
Family friends of Ruth who I’ve met in South Africa are putting us up for a few days in Schaffhausen (Wikipedia), in the very northern most tip of Switzerland. More precisely, in Buttenhard, a small town no bigger than five football fields, 10min outside the Schaffhausen. It reminds me of rural Natal in many ways… Bizar I know, but it feels like an advanced rural subsistence living. There are old tractors and farm animals in town as much as there are people. Only the mud huts are stunning wooden homes with flower pots and all, but there are fields all around, cattle roaming, chickens in pens, sheep, barns…
(Wheat fields surrounding the town)
(View from Buttenhard)
We went for a walk through town, which only takes a moment, and couldnt help but smile at the cleanliness and level of everything. Even the farm roads are perfectly maintained, and accessible to all, as well as marked with sign posts.
(Swiss precision in a wood pile)
I cracked and needed a nap. Been feeling a little low with the our of routine travel and late nights. So missed the trip on the Rhine, but Ruth loved the time in sunshine and captured some stunning photo’s.
(Ruth’s boat trip)
I joined a local lad on a mountain bike ride through the forests and hills surrounding Buttenhard (after getting some new rotors and brake pads) and was in awe of the views and trail networks here. Always great to explore an area by bike. The language was a barrier, but we’re from the same stock, and could figure out most of each others intentions. With a bit of imagination. I asked what these high, wooded chairs in the middle of nowhere were for. I’d seen quite a few while running earlier too, and was a bit perplexed. He thought, then said: “To shot, shot de bambi”. Oh well, close enough to explain animal control.
The twins are soccer fanatics, like everyone here. And they treated Ruth and I to tickets to the Germany – Turkey Euro 2008 match on big screen in the town center. Like most there, we adopted Germany as our team for the night. What an eye opener. For one, I now fully understand why the players earn millions a week, and two, I saw passion at a different level. Screaming and singing like it was for life and death. And most werent even German! Pure passion for the game. Three goals went in in the final ten minutes for a properly exciting and emotional end. Germany won 3-2.
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(Euro 08 on the Schaffhausen big screen)
(“Our” team for the night)
We’ll be here another day, and leave for Czech Republic on Friday morning…
(Really great photo’s from our time here)
2 Responses to "Schaffhausen, Switzerland"
Thank you for sharing the experiances of your travel, the places you see and the people you meet. Also nice to note that a great burger where ever you may be, but not everyday – brings joy to the senses.
“….shoot de bambi”, normally I would use the term “animal control” for fencing but I fully understand the explanation.
How funny, you are in Schaffhausen. A very close friend of mine and business partner is back home right now visiting family in Schaffhausen (he grew up there but now lives in the states). Wish I checked this earlier as I could have set you up with a great tour guide that could have taken you on some great rides/runs/swims. He used to be on the Swiss National Team for Triathlon.
I spent 4 months there and totally fell in love with Switzerland and Schaffhausen.
Enjoy it for me!