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That’s my mission from Zürich to Säntis, and back again today. It looks far, and it actually covers almost half of Switzerland, but it’s only 105km’s according to Google. My, what an amazing view.

The mountain is 2500+ meters straight up, and don’t go if you’re scared of heights, the cable car is out of this world! Pretty much going straight up. Very scary! The country side is picturesque, the the train running all the way down Lake Zürich and into the hills. The weather is warm and the sky is a lovely deep blue. The air was so fresh out there that I was almost choking (no thanks to the London air I had been breathing for 10 days before hand).

It’s hot as well, 30º as I sit here at 11pm with my doors and windows open. My hotel has a lack of fridge and air-conditioning so I’m drinking warm beer with the fan blasting… not my real idea of a Swiss holiday, but it is summer in Europe! They forecast this week to be the hottest week of the year, with Spain spilling into the 40º zone. Hense the fires in Barcelona at the moment.

I plan to check out the town some more tomorrow. I want to sleep in and relax a little. Apparently there is a beautiful old town and a peak with a lovely view of the city that I’m keen to check out. The public transport system here is unbelievable with trains and trams leaving on the second, going all over the city and the country, so getting around is super easy.

I will head to the alps on the other side of the country (where the Tour de France passed through) on Thursday and probably hit Mürren or the like, somewhere close to the French border.

I fly to Paris on Friday and I can’t wait to see Le Tour de France. Al & Jules will hopefully be joining me on the Champs-Élysées, which I hope happens as I’m going a little crazy not talking to anybody, though the time out is enjoyable.

More news as it comes to hand! Make sure you check my Flickr stream for more photos! Speak soon.

Hello from sunny Zürich! I arrived this afternoon from London and immediately fell in love with what I now consider one of the most picturesque cities I’ve seen. 28 degrees, people swimming in Lake Zurich, quiet & peaceful streets with lots of well dressed and lovely looking Swiss enjoying the easy life. I think I chose a great post-London destination. It was almost like heaven. Green parks with people relaxing and enjoying the sun, with deep blue skies, the snow capped Alps dominating the horizon, and everybody is simply happy.

Anyway… this is a quick update to say hi to all and that I’m safe and sound. I’m going to hit the Alps tomorrow (after doing my laundry and other catching up bits), so expect lots of photos and other spellbound jabber.

I am in a lovely hotel which is on the outside of the main town overlooking everything, nice staff, nice room. Nice!

Looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow and recharging my body for the trek to the Alps.

x

Ah S:T Eriksplan. This is where I live. The first tall peach building, I’m somewhere around there. Shame you can’t see the miserable rain falling in this photo. I went outside to capture the essance of the Swedish summer. Nothing but rain. I think we topped 8ºc today. Boo!

This coming Friday is midsommar, and apparently it’s the biggest day on the Swedish calendar. I’ve heard countless stories of the city going crazy, but most, nej, pretty much all of my friends are leaving town to go to their parents holiday houses on the archipelago. One thing that I’m trying to understand is why the Systembolaget (the governing body of the alcohol monopoly of Sweden) is closed the night before and during the entire celebration. Thursday 7pm, no more booze until Monday 11am. What the hell! It’s a bloody public holiday. And, to further this, the employees of the Systembolaget are threatening to strike this week. It’s not as bad as I first thought, but who knows what else could go on.

Needless to say, people have already started to stock up. If it’s a beautiful weekend, people want to be in the park with a few beers and a frisbee, not kicking the doors down of the bottle shop.

So, apart from my 4 day week, I’ve actually finished booking my Europe trip coming up in 3 weeks. Above is the first image I’ve seen of Zurich. I have really no idea what to expect, but my good friends Al & Jules just returned from there and sang nothing but praises about the city and the surrounding areas. Yes, that’s the Alps you can see in the distance… a short train ride out of town and you’re amongst it. I’m looking forward to relaxing here after what is already drumming up to be a pretty big week and a bit in London.

I land July 10th and the next day I’ll be joining my good friend G at the TCR BBQ, and later that night partying it up on the Lot49 boat cruise. I can’t wait to catch up with my old breakbeat crew. I met so many great people during that period of my life, it would kill me if we didn’t keep in touch. I’m actually playing G in an online Chess battle, so we are keeping in touch, so to speak. I just wish he would let me win.

After Zurich, I will be flying to Paris to witness the final stage of Le Tour de France 2009. 7 laps of the Champs-Élysées should give me enough time to fire off some shots of the pelaton making their way to the end of what I imagine will be another tight and gruelling race. I can’t wait!

Speaking of Chess, if you have an iPhone, download the app “Chess with Friends”, install, and look me up (lynt). It’s the most addictive application on the iPhone. Constantly playing other people around the world. Keeping me occupied while I wait in line and on the train. It’s great!

I’ll report again after midsommar, bless!