22 Skiddoo

First Modern Residence I've Seen in Switzerland

Looking at the map and Google, I choose Solothurn for my day of looking for something I have never seen. I figure that any place that promotes itself as "Switzerland's Most Baroque City" surely is a place I should visit.
The train station is on one side of the River Aare (which I have seen many days here in Switzerland) and you must cross it to get to the old town.

I've Seen Skyline Like This Before

The Aare Flows through Here Also

They Swim in the Aare Here Also

I Think This Is the First Modern Hotel I've Seen on the Aare

I've Seen Town Gates But This One Is Still Used

This Is a Very Nicely Maintained City Wall

I amble around the Old Town for a while.

I've Never Seen an Aviary in a Swiss Park Before

I;ve Seen Houses Like This Before

I Like This Park with the Cathedral

I'm Impressed

I Don't Like Swiss Modern Office Buildings

Yes I've Seen Many Streets Like This But I Still Like to Photograph Them

I'd Like to See More of This in North America

I Never Get Tired of Looking at the Swiss Fountains

This Was the Best Nicois Salad I've Seen or Eaten

For some reason, the castle is closed on Fridays. Every town has maintained or repurposed its castle differently and I had thought it would be interesting to compare and contrast this one to the others I have seen in the last four months.
Instead, I chose to visit the Museum Blumenstein, a 19th-century patrician family home. When Napolean's army invaded the area, Solothurn was chosen to house the French Ambassador. Solothurn still feels "a little French."

It is less than a two-mile walk to the museum. I start to walk there.

Why Is There a Cow and a Camel Next to the City Gate

Oh the Circus Is In Town!

I Don't Understand Why There Is a Milk Cow in the Circus

I've Never Seen Circus House Trailers Parked by a Naked Boy on a Horse

I get tired and it starts to rain. I decide to get on the bus.
Oops this bus is turning and going in a different direction. By t.he time I get off the bus, I have no idea where I am. Google maps helps but I am a little confused. It is just a little drizzle. I continue my quest for things I have never seen.

Why is a Bust Placed in the Middle of an Old RR Track

Surprise

I've Seen Many Cemeteries Before

But I Will Walk Through This One

If It Weren't Raining Maybe I Could See the Time on This Sundial

I walk through many fine streets, alleys, and lanes. All the homes are very fine - probably 19th century- but they are all behind walls or hedges so I don't take any photos. Also, it is too difficult to hold my umbrella and my camera simultaneously.

Finally I See a Sign Pointing the Way to the Museum

Finally I See the Museum Blumenstein

I'm Sure Offen = Open But I Can't Get the Door Open

Now I See This Is a 24-Hour Clock

I've Seen More Impressive Dining Rooms

I Do Like This Soup Tureen and the Way It Is Displayed

I've Seen Many a Recreated 19th Century Kitchen Before

I'd Like to Sit Down in This Gameroom

I'd Like to Know if These Are Residents' Portraits

Solothurn Very Catholic and Very French During This Time

This Is Not Fancy

I learn later that the museum hosts many activities. One of them is a dinner where guests roleplay a member of the household or community while seated at this table. Obviously, they don't get to use the fine china in the real dining room.

What's This

This also demanded an explanation in English!
There was an abbey near here. When the catacombs were discovered in Rome with all the skeletons, the Vatican wondered what to do. Many were professed to be the remains of saints and distributed to parishes, convents, and abbeys throughout Europe. At least two were in the nearby abbey. The nuns of the time had adorned the skeletons in finery befitting the remains of a saint for adoration. The museum is currently restoring two skeletons to their former glory -at least as the abbey adorned them and not as the Romans placed them in the catacombs.

Closing time is approaching.
The sun is out; the rain has stopped.

I Have to Examine This to Know How to Open the Door to Exit

Time to get to the train station, go to Burgdorf, and feed the cats.

Even Though I Liked It I've Seen Enough

I saw the "famous Langnau Market" would be held on July 20 with almost 200 vendors set up in the streets of Langnau, Switzerland.
I was excited! There would surely be all sorts of things Swiss here!
It was just a 30-minute train ride.
I as soon as I got off the train I spied a local photographer. I purchased several cards.
I walked to the booth across the street and bought an almond croissant.
I passed over 100 vendor stalls and did not see anything from Switzerland! Lots of cheap plastic toys from China, and dozens of hat and t-shirt stalls, but there was nothing I wanted to look at - and definitely nothing I wanted to buy.

Langnau Has a WWI Monument

Langnau Has a Town Park

Langnau Has a Town Clock

Maybe There Are More Down This Hill

Langnau Market definitely does NOT have 200 vendors of Swiss products!
I did find two deli stalls so I bought some cheese and sausage. I also found a trailer from a farm with sheep, goats, alpaca, and camels. This excited me. I was told the farm was near a bus stop.
I had an adventure to plan!

The town also had a local museum. Of course, I had to check that out.
As is true of all Swiss museums, this little spot has done a fine job of displaying its collection in a repurposed building.
The only thing I had never seen was this loom.

This Loom Was For Weaving Braid or Ribbon

Here's How to Use the Woven Result on Clothes

Here's How to Use the Woven Result to Keep the Baby in Bed

Even though I was disappointed in the market and I didn't come home laden with Swiss goods, I had a pleasant train ride and saw some different countryside.

For the next couple of days, I was excited thinking about going to buy Swiss yarn at the Spycher-Handwerk farm, the one truly Swiss vendor I had seen at the Langnau Market. I thought I would buy enough yarn to make a sweater or an afghan. I researched patterns; I ogled the website; I looked at the map and brochures to locate other country villages to visit.
Spycher-Handwerk offered yurt stays and classes. Maybe I would come back someday for a week's stay and study as I did in Otavella, Ecuador. Here, I could make felt hats and slippers!

I finally planned a route that would require 2 buses and 1 train to get to Hutwill to visit the farm and yarn site. A bus and train ride would get me to Trubschachen to visit the famous cookie makers. Two more train rides would complete the circle back to Burgdorf that evening.
What a day I had planned. I even considered buying another suitcase so I could buy lots and lots of yarn and cookies.

I was excited when I showed the bus driver a list of all the buses and trains I needed to take. You can buy one ticket at the start of your trip that is good for every method of transport you will need within the area you are going.
A bit of misunderstanding turned the first bus ride into a bus and a train ride, but that was okay. I was enjoying the country travel and looking forward to the yarn shop. I thought I might also purchase a pair of felt slippers.

Signpost near the schoolyard

Soon I See Some Sheep and the Yurt Guesthouses - I'm Getting Excited

Camel Mother and Child

I Learn Camel Fleece Is Harvested Not Sheared

Here's Some Goaats for Angora

I Don't Think They Get Fleece from Swine

I KNOW I Don't Want His Hair - Maybe a Chop

Handwashing the Fleece

Carding Machinery Makes the Process Easier

I See Lots and Lots of Carded Fleece I'm Getting Excited

What a Great Playyard for the Family's Children

I Have Wandered onto the Private Quarters of the Family

Here's the Entrance - I'm Really Excited

Hmmm All This Is Manufactured Items

Maybe Some Soap with Sheep's Milk

I Know Grape and CBD Lip Balm Is Not Made Here

Definitely Not Made Here

Oh well, so I won't buy any felt slippers. I still have the yarn shop to visit.

They Only Have 5 Skeins of Yarn from Their Fleece

I learn that the fleece business is a small operation. They really don't have enough stock or equipment to produce yarn. Their primary fleece business is to card the wool - much of it from other flocks- and make duvets and pillows. Their business entails mainly retail of manufactured items that are manufactured who knows where. They have stacks and stacks of Lang yarn - a Swiss company that manufacturers yarn throughout the world and the brand I purchased two skeins when I was on the tour in May.

My Few PurchasesWait While He Talks on the Phone

I walk the half mile back to the bus stop.

The Buildings Across the Field Spin Parachute Fabric No Wonder It Is Such a Huge Operation

I Return to the Bus Stop

I Stand in the Relentless Sun

It is very hot. The town of Huttwill is a mile away. I read that Trubschachan has a good restaurant. I will soothe my disappointment with a nice lunch in that village.
A bus and train ride later, I arrive in the village of Kambly Cookies
Geez it's hot! I relax in the shade for a while before I head down the road looking for the Kambly Experience.

The Travelelr Sculpture

A Very Interesting Modern Fountain

I Can Smell the Cookies Can I Find the Experience

I Think I am Coming in the Back Entrance

It's a Family Advemture

Pepperidge Got Goldfish from Kambly

I had to come all the way to Switzerland to learn that Goldfish crackers were copied by Pepperidge Farms when they visited Kambly!
There are racks and racks of cookies. You can taste each variety and flavor. I end up buying more here than I did at the Handwerers! Unfortunately, each small bag is at least $8.

These Cashiers Are Busier Than at Spycher-Handwerk

I walk over a mile in the heat to the restaurant.
It is closed for their summer holiday.
The only place in the village is a little market with a sign in the window "Fine Sandwiches." Maybe it wasn't English; it wasn't very fine, but I bought one and a bottle of unsweetened cold tea.

I Eat a Fine Sandwich in the Shade of This Church Porch Roof

4 Bus and 4 Train Rides Provide Lots of Scenery

Miles and Miles of Agriculture

As Seen from the Train

More Train Views

Unfortunately, some of the scenery on this trip was ruined by the very vocal conductor and passenger. They could both speak English. They asked about my politics and I laughed and shook my head. At this point, they told me they supported Trump and that he would be the next president. They continued their excited conversation in German and the only words I could understand were Trump and Biden, both of which I heard them say at least a dozen times.

A Trump Fan Rides on My Train

I went home and ate cookies.

Just when I think I can read a couple of German words, I am told Thun is the name of a town and does not translate. Written as thun it translates to tuna.

Several Bridges Cross the Aare in Thun

But I have heard that a town that is NOT named Tuna is worth visiting and I can easily get there on the train.
When I got off the train, I found a nice walkway along the River Aare - yes, the same River Aare that I lived next to in Bern.
I spent the morning just walking and looking at the river and the lake.

A Local Lady Who Strolled the Aare with Me

Just a Nice Walk

More to See on the Walk

More

I Like This Sailor andSail

Even Some Modern Sculpture

The Headwaters of the Aare from Thun Lake

Next on my agenda was a nice lunch. I'm in luck because there is a place where I am walking.

This Looks Like a Nice Place for Lunch

A Perfect Lunchtime View

Now It's a Hotel What Was This Place

Wish I Knew the History of this Place

I'll Google This Name

I'll Just Sit Here for a While and Knit

Guess I'd Better Go Look for History and Culture

I continue walking in the area.

Painted or Real

Here's an Old Church

The Most Beautifully Austere Church Interior in Switzerland

I asked some people how I would find the Panorama. The reply was, "Look around you. This IS the panorama."
I knew that a panorama was a specific style of painting a town in miniature; I had seen one when I worked in The Hague.
I saw a sign and found the Thun Panorama; The Hague might boast the world's largest, but Thun boasts it had the oldest - 1814.

Stairs to the Panorama

You Can Get a Closer Look

The Schadua Was Built After This Panorama Was Painted

Now I Want to Go See This Spot 200 Years Later

I walked and rode the bus back to the town center. I was going to find the Kuntsmuseum.

Cross Over the Bridge

I Don't Know Why The Waterflow of the Arre Is Controlled Here

Perhaps It Is So Folks Can River Surf

I Find the Kuntsmuseum Thun

I asked at the desk, "Why do so many towns have museums with the name Kunts?"
"Because kunts means art in English," was the answer.
"Oh," was my answer. I felt rather stupid but now I know one more word in German.

The Thun Kuntsmuseum exhibit was of Lorna Simpson, a Brooklyn artist. Must have been the kuntsmuseum in another town that displayed only Swiss modern artists. I decided to visit anyway.

My Favorite Lorna Simpson

Simpson Has a Bleu Series Also

A Stack of Ebony Mags Doesn't Do Much for Me

Sitting Here and Listening to a Video of This Man Whistling for 5 Minutes Did Do Something for Me

So Simple But...She Exhibited an Entire Series

The museum had originally been a hotel. Apparently, Thun was quite the vacation spot for the rich and famous from the 1850s until WWI.
The lady at the desk was interested in knowing about the place where I had lunch. She pulled a book from the shelf and translated the German for me. According to that book, a wealthy Swiss built the place 150+ years ago as a place for hosting the elite of the world. It might have also been a museum of gastronomy. Apparently, the architecture was panned at the time. He wanted to rival the medieval town castle.

Everything is starting to close for the evening. I'd better look around the town some more.

Looks LikeThat's Where all the Action Is

Clock Tower and Cafe Umbrellas

Out of a Fairy Tale

Surprise - Thun Has a Real Castle

One Last Photo in Thun

Now I'll get on the train, return to Burgdorf, and give the cats dinner.

I can't imagine a town of 16,000 in North America that has this much art and history within walking distance.

Tresch Around Town

As If Gertsch and Yuasa Weren't Enough We Also Had Hausner

The castle is mainly historical but also has some art. Of course, no place in North America has an 800-year-old castle.
The castle towers over my house. I love it!
After it was no longer used as a royal residence and for defense, the structure housed town and regional offices, courts, and prison until 2012.
Since then it has metamorphosed into a museum, restaurant, educational program, and hostel.
It is the best I have visited in four European countries this year!

From Medevil to Modern

Almost Everything Was Provided by Burgdorfers

An Early Painting of Bdorf Showing the Wealthy and Cheese Being Transported Down the River

There were many exhibits on famous Burgdorfers through the ages. It was all very interesting and informative.

Pestalozzi Was from Burgdorf and Lived Before M Montessori

Now I Understand the Name of This School That I See When Walking

I Didn't Talk Politics With Anyone in Town

Multimedia Exhibits Also in English

I'm Returning Here for Dinner on My Last Night in Burgdorf

The view from the grounds makes you realize why they chose the location a thousand years ago.

Can See from Town to Country

That's the House Across the Street From My Place

That's My Roof

Oh! Burgdorf Has a Pool

The pedestrian path is a great way to walk down the hill.

This Is a Nice Path Down

Looking Back Up The Hill

I Like This Path Down

These Stairs Are Safer Than Those in My Garden

I now realize what the grilled doorway is just down the street from my house.

Google Translates This As Armsunderweg

The Franz Gertsch Museum

Provided a Wonderful Experience

Franz Gertsch is local. I had never heard of him. I told the desk "Now I will never forget him."
They gave me a free book about the museum because I was so overwhelmed about my visit.

Bleu Woodcut

Bleu Woodcuts 2

Bleu Woodcuts 3

Two of the Four Seasons Woodcuts

I bought postcard-size photos of the Four Seasons. I might frame and hang them at home.

Every six months they change the exhibits. Kudos to the curators.
During my visit Katsutosi Yuasa, another woodcut artist, was exhibited.

First Yuasa Woodcut I Saw Made Me Gasp

This Really Needs To Be Seen To Be Appreciated

Yuasa Also Does Smaller Color Woodcuts

Xenia Hausner studied stage and theater design. That's probably why all her work is larger than life.

A Room Full of Xenia Hauner

All Are Larger Than Lifesize

I noticed Benno Tesch's huge sculptures all over town - how could you miss them - but didn't know who made these massive items all made from scrap metal. For some reason, his name appeared with a photo when I was Googling something else. I cannot get any links to appear again. At least I have my photos.

Benno Tresch Museum

Closed for Summer Holiday

This Is All I'll See at the Tresch Museum

Tresch Around Town 2

Tresch Around Town 3

Tresch Around Town 4

There are more but you get the picture!

Gallerie im Park Closed Since Covid Hit

You'd think with all this within easy walking distance I didn't need to go on other adventures within 90 minutes via bus and/or train. But No - I wanted to go and see. Now the question is if I can collect the photos and document it before I forget!

Hello Mico

Hello Nina

Since July 8, I have been cat-sitting in Burgdorf, Switzerland.

The Owners and My Birthday Treats

The house I am in charge of for a month is built on the side of a hill with a very impressive castle at the top.
This is a tour around the area of a house of some age that has one wall that is claimed to be part of the original city wall.

What I See In My Garden

I decide to climb them; I have been told they lead to the castle.

What I See When the Concrete Steps End

What I See When the Red Steps Fork

What I See When I Look Through the Grille

When I visit the castle a few days later, I discover this door is in the old moat. After the moat was drained and the castle was no longer used as defense, townfolk could climb these steps to access the castle.

What I See from the End of the Red Steps

What I See and Realize I Have to Descend These Steps

What I See When I Look at My House from the Steps

Mico Accompanied Me to Make Sure I Didn't Fall

The sights just outside my front door are just as interesting.

What I See Whenever I Open My Door

What I See When I Look at My House from the Street

What I See Next to My Steps

What I See In My Street

What I See Just Around the Corner

What I See When I Walk A Few Door to the Left

What I See in the Little Park at the End of My Street

What I See When I look up the Hill

What I See on the Castle Wall As I Walk to the Market

What I See on My Bed in the Afternoon

What I Always See: Another View of MY Castle

What I See When Nina Is On a Perch Note the Ceiling Design.....

...It Is Similar to What I Saw In the Castle

What I See When I Visit My Neighbors

What I See When I Look Out the Door to My Terrace

I always like what I see when I look around my apartment and my neighborhood.