Slogging in the Jura (5/2/1982)

Sunday, May 2, 1982

Where did the day go? Jan & Kirby wanted to go to a movie, but nothing good was showing in either Biel or Bern. They decided we should go for a hike as shown on a map loaned by their landlady. So we hopped in the car and drove into the Jura through Sonceboz and Tavannes, taking a detour to see the school where Jan goes on Tuesdays. Came to Tramelan, a surprisingly large town, and found the hiking trail. Walked into the woods to a secluded pond (Etang de la Gruère?), surrounded by a forest reminiscent of New England. We tried going around to the right, but the ground was too wet. We went around to the left, but because of the wet ground we got farther from the pond. There were still patches of snow on the ground and both Jan & Kirby were wearing sandals and their feet got wet. We ended up on the road to join the trail farther along, passing the pond from a higher vantage point. The trail took us across fields which were wet, and only got wetter. Eventually we found a smaller pond and a road that would take us back to where the car was parked.  This road had a couple “Bovi-Stops,” which are rows of pipes in the pavement which are too difficult for cows to cross. After a 2-hour walk, we were back at the car at 18:45. Went to a restaurant in town, but it was closed. Jan asked a local if there was another restaurant and he recommended “du Chef” in Tramelan. There we sat next to a fish tank with a couple trout and shared a plate of white asparagus. Kirby and I had omelettes and Jan had Croûte au Fromage, sort of the Swiss version of grilled cheese sandwich. Except that the cheese is mixed with egg and cream and poured over the bread to be grilled.

Monday, May 3, 1982

Could see the Alps from my window today.

The Alps from the Personlhaus

Now the weather is affected by a wind called “La Bise,” a cold, vigorous and persistent north or north-easterly wind blowing from the alpine mountains. It is very drying and I even have chapped cheeks!

Tuesday, May 6, 1982

Brigitte picked me up at 20:30 to go to the new school gym at the lakefront in Biel for a volleyball practice. It wasn’t very strenuous, but it was for me! This wasn’t any recreational league, it was a National League B Team practice!
 Noticed my forearms were bruised when I got home. I’ve gotten soft!