On our way to Zug at about 50km we stopped at a small town called Eschenbach for lunch at a cafe we had checked would be open on a Sunday. We met up with Philipp and Esther Arnold who live nearby. They come out to NZ for our summer to escape their winter. Jeff met Philipp at the Nelsons Men's Shed last summer and said "we will meet for lunch" as we cycle past.
Was good fun and great for Jeff to talk to someone other than me !🤣.
Philipp even wore his NZ T shirt.
They will come to NZ again this summer and Jeff promised the a ride in the MGB as they have a MG Midget.
We carried on the remaining 25km to Zug. The town is beside a lake so lots of folks enjoying the sunny day. Zug is famous for having the lowest personal tax in Switzerland - 22%, no capital gains tax and corporate tax only 12%. Hence a hub for the wealthiest individuals in the world. Lots of Ferrari, Lambos etc driving around. Hotel great and staff spectacular as the next morning a tyre puncture could not be repaired due to the hire company providing the wrong sized tube!! A taxi wanted to charge CHF75 (NZD180) outrageous to take Jeff to the closest open bike shop. Hotel owner drove Jeff to a repair shop, the only one open. Switzerland is closed Sunday, Mondays.
Every chaps dream car.
A long pull away from Zug on our way to Rapperswill after the delay of the dud cycle tube. First really warm and sunny day and we ran out of water for the planned 90km. Jeff called into a farmhouse and filled up. Passed through more cows, verdant pasture and even housed pig farms. They were happy for the shade.
You pass stacks of wood drying/ stored everywhere. An artform. This is one of the natural tracks we seem to be frequently on, Switzerlands version of a B road.
This is the Benedictine Einsiedeln 10th century Abbey we passed. Quite spectacular.
Rapperswil will be remembered by us for the Hotel Lo! which had a super room, good beer and a wonderful Asian restaurant. Staff were from Kosovo and Greece.
Next day for the cycle to Lichtensteig was back to cold and wet. In fact rained all day on the 60km so not too many photos taken, just head down. Poor Jeff could barely see out of his glasses. We were pretty cold on arrival and not too much space in our room in Lichtensteig for wet muddy shoes, jackets and our small backpacks. Did find a garage overhang to have our lunch on the way though thankfully.
There are several ski jumps dotted about the countryside.
Our hotel in Lichtensteig. Has a bakery/ cafe. Cake presentation is beautiful, similar to the French bakeries.
Went for a short wander around the medieval town founded arounded 1200. Did not dilly dally as just far too cold. Am sure in summer (July & August we are told) it is lovely.
Yes it us true some residents wear funny hats and shorts in 11C.
Other than the huge stacks of timber to be burnt for heating at all the houses we have cycled past, Switzerland electricity is supplied by Nuclear power 40% as a baseload and Hydropower 55%, solar/wind 5%. They also trade any surplus generation with other European countries. They are a 'zero waste" country; it is either recycled/ composted or incinerated to generate electricity supposedly 50/50. But some non recycelables actually go into a hole in the ground.
The other thing we note cycling through the countryside; other than woodstacks, cows, etc. is the large wooden crosses with JC hanging off them. Just about every small enclave has one into and out of, plus other random JC crosses along the road. We seldom find an open cafe, or one at all in all these little places but there is usually a church and or crosses.
Catholics and Christians dominate and in fact the local cantons/ councils levy a church tax. This is in addition to Federal and Canton tax, pIus wealth tax and VAT so a steep "cost of living" is not unique to NZ.
Some of the photos from cycling to Herisau. A bit murcky but gives an idea of the small enclaves and homesteads dotted on the hillsides.
We got to Herisau by 12.30pm as heavy rain was forecast for 2pm. Lunch was a bowl of leek soup in our hotel restaurant. Gratefully they also agreed to do our wet, muddy laundry. Such a simple thing that brings such relief.
Classic old bridge we cycled over.
We are cycling Herzroute 99. We have seen quite a few viaducts like this.
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