Saturday 4 October 2008

TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGED

Well, that’s that then. Last week OG and I prepared our Swiss apartment for it’s new owners. An era is over. After spending 8 luxurious years of enjoying our very own Swiss paradise we have come down to earth with a bump. Everything packed and sent back to England. That part of our life is now held together with duck tape and packed in a van.

Now there will be no more standing on our balcony looking at the man in the moon perched on top of the Petit Muvoron (that's the small pointy mountain on the right) gazing back down at US in amazement. No more contemplating the miracle of the night sky with billions of stars displaying their wondrously twinkling light show in the black firmament - just for us.



No more trips to the spa bath http://www.lavey-les-bains.ch/home.php?id=2 to revive my aching limbs in the Turkish bath; subject myself to a pounding aqua massage; drift peacefully on a "float" listening to classical music being piped underwater; allow my poor arthritic body to soak up the therapeutic natural mineral waters being pumped directly from the earth at "bath temperature" with the snow surreally falling on my head in temperatures of –2C (or less!); enjoy a tingly invigorating and spotlessly clean sauna; and finally regain my spirituality whilst relaxing to the soothing sounds of running water, bird songs and wind rustling the trees in the darkened "tranquillity" suite.

No more eating at fabulous Swiss restaurants, where the prices are reasonable, the food is out of this world, the view is to die for and the hospitality is second to none.

But on the upside we have no more daylong journey’s by car, plane, train and finally mountain bus which leave us exhausted and in bad spirits. No more "apartment or Swiss etiquette" to consider, like don’t flush the loo between the hours of 10pm and 7am because it will disturb the co-proprietors, don’t use the washing machine between the hours of 11am and 12am because this is when the Swiss are cooking their midday meal and washing machines may cause a dip in the power supply, don’t "lose it" and start screaming at OG because it may embarrass the neighbours.

So, is it good, is it bad? Now here I sit beside the French doors in my new "Hollywood" bedroom looking across the fens and writing my blog at my beautiful Swiss bureau and I don’t have to travel all day to get here or worry about screaming at OG whenever the mood takes me. We move on.

And finally…Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

20 comments:

DogLover said...

How sad!

Let's have a piccy too of the view to the right of the Petit Muveran with the Mont Blanc Range before you forget it!

And of the Swiss bureau. Hope the duct tape came off without any damage.

aims said...

At least you will have those wonderful memories - and that will always help. I bet you shed a few tears whilst packing. I know I would.

Your house is sounding and looking divine! So happy for you! There is nothing like living through a renovation. People who haven't done it just don't know. Ugh! The mess! The sounds! The smells!

You know this economic situation will turn around eventually. It's the eventually we have no control over tho isn't it? The whole world collapsing is one scary bit of crap.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful memories we have that we have shared with our bestest of friends. I don't think they will fade with senility. We have been so fortunate. Now on to making new memories and pictures in the mind. Flagmaker

Deb said...

I have a difficult time with change and I hate moving and leaving behind people and things that I have grown attached to. Keep busy - and start creating memories in the newly renovated home. Take care.

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

I was sent on assignment to Zurich many years ago for four months. I loved the sheer beauty of the place and it mademy heart melt. I flew in and out but I did drive through it many years later as I drove down to Litchenstein. It's a hell of a long drive!

Just caught up with your posts - the comment about criticising someone and walking a mile in their shoes is sheer brilliance and so you! Thanks for the smile.

Sandi McBride said...

I'm sorry you've had to leave your paradise, but you know paradise is where you make it!
Sandi

Anonymous said...

Ooh, and it looks quite beautiful. I wonder how long it will be before you get somewhere else!

CJ xx

Maggie May said...

I guess it is mainly sad! You have some happy memories that will be there for ever, though.
Long journeys are a big nightmare if you have to drive.
I won't go on any long journey by car now, if H is driving & I don't drive anymore.
The long coach journey we recently did was OK but time consuming. We have somehow or other got into that way of travelling now, though.

Anonymous said...

how sad. you sound brave. braver than i probably was when i left my last much loved home with similarly loved mountain views.

Duct tape IS good though isn't it.

Here's to new vistas x

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Sorry to hear you have to give up your Swiss haven and it looks and sounds wonderful. But you are right to weigh the pros and cons, sometimes the only way to come to terms with something disagreeable that has to be done.

You obviously have many wonderful memories so hope they sustain you for many a long year. A x

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Yes, doglove, it is sad, but you know - one day at a time!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Yes aims, world collapse is scary, and each day that goes by it looks more inevitable. Who the hell is going to get us out of it? Not Bush or Brown, that's for sure.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

I know Flagmaker. We had great times there didn't we?

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

I have trouble moving too Deb. Maybe a remanant of the many times we moved when I was young.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

It's hard not to love Switzerland isn't it MOB?

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Yes, Sadie, you are so right, and we love it here, right where we are now!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

I don't think we will be looking for anywhere else CJ. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

You know Maggie, I used to love travel, but I find it a real pain in the butt now. Is this an age thing?

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Duct tape rules RM. And I'm not at all brave. Foolhardy maybe, but brave? Nah!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Yes Anne, we have the memories. Right now I can't think too much though, because I want to go back!