Caveman's Watch Forum


Travel Report Update! - Today was kind of a bust, or "What a dufus I am!" (Swiss trip 2011)

June 05, 2011 04:52PM

Mind you, the first part wasn't my fault. I woke up this morning feeling like death warmed over. At first I though "OK, you over-did the Feldschlösschen last night, Ricky! Oops!" Thing is, I really didn't. I am confused Then the nausea started, and what my grandma would have colloquially called "The out-house trots". Eek! Uh-oh! Methinks something I ate at that Italian joint last night didn't agree with me. I am crying So I took the appropriate meds, and went back to bed. Smile

Next time I got up, 11ish, I felt better. Still bad, mind, but not like earlier. After coffee and a shower I felt almost human again. And a bit peckish. O' course I missed breakfast by better than an hour, and the hotel doesn't serve lunch, but the nice concierge took pity on me and provided a fruit cup, some cheese and a roll. Which, considering the still delicate state of me tummy, was more than sufficient. They're nice folks here at the Best Western Continental, Aarbergstrasse 29, Biel/Bienne. I recommend them highly! Thumbs up!

So, I've broken my fast, and it's still a few minutes short of noon. I therefore decide to go back and try the Musée international d'horlogerie again. Ahhh.. I guess here's where I start copping to my dufus-hood. Blushing See, yesterday I drove around La Chaux-de-Fonds looking for the museum for well over an hour.. and never did find it. Crazy! Loco! Got a good overview of the city, and hit some interesting highlights along the way, but I'd really had my heart set on that museum! Anyway, I gave it up as a lost cause, and went to the Musée d'Horlogerie du Locle instead. It's just down the road, and you saw a photo of it yesterday:

Photo by Ricky Lee


Ironically, the route to the Le Locle museum is as torturous and winding a one as you can imagine. Yet I drove straight to it! I am confused The nice gentleman there, after I showed him my directions to the Musée international d'horlogerie, explained that, due to construction, the obvious route to the museum is blocked. He advised me to simply park at the city center, walk uphill and slightly to the left, and ask passers-by for further directions, if needed. Doh! IOW, he called me out for a dufus.Laughing

So that was the plan today. But no! We have barely begun to plumb the depths of my dufus-dom! When I went out to start the Ibiza it was Bzzzzzt! I'd left the lights on the previous evening, and the battery was totally flat. Frowning The rental agency is closed on Sunday, so no help there. The freindly concierge, try as he might, can locate no one with jumper cables. But it's a manual trans, right? The concierge declares that we'll simply push-start it. (See? Nice folks! That's going way above and beyond!) So he enlists the help of a stalwart youngster (a dishwasher, I think) and we set out to Get 'R Dun. Double Bzzzzzt! Ain't happening. Apparently these new fangled cars require some juice, at least enough to power the computers, else they can't be push-started. I am angry!

Oh well, such is life. What are you gonna do? Me, I went back to the room, farted around here for a bit, then took another nap. Laughing When I got up again it was going on 4, and I felt completely recovered. And a bit stir-crazy. Eek! So screw the car, I decided to hoof it around the city a bit.

And it was nice. At least the day wasn't a TOTAL loss. After I got tired of walking, I decided to take the bus down to the lake. Waiting at the bus stop..

Photo by Ricky Lee


..I hear the tinkling sound of running water. Hmmmm. Sure enough..

Photo by Ricky Lee


..there's a wee stream down there. Right in the middle of the city, yet the water looks clear enough to drink. And not a scrap of litter! An amazing country, Switzerland, and a beautiful city, Biel/Bienne. Clapping! We in America could learn a lot from them!

At the lake.. these are just for you, Bro. John N.!

Photo by Ricky Lee


Photo by Ricky Lee


And the Swiss have amazingly eclectic taste in vehicles.

Photo by Ricky Lee


That rig looks capable of circumnavigating the globe! It might not set any speed records, but I wager it'd go the distance! Thumbs up!

And check this out:

Photo by Ricky Lee


"Rockabilly Boogie" indeed! Cool I know that interest in early Rock and Rockabilly is intense in Germany, but didn't realize it's quite popular in Switzerland, too. Several folks have done a double-take when I tell them I'm from Memphis, and go on at great detail about the music and culture. One bloke in particular.. well, I have no doubt he knows more about Memphis Music than I do me ownself. Oops! Humbling, when you really think about it. Blushing I mean, sure, I know a little bit about their history and culture, but mostly only as it relates to horlogerie, and in nothing like the detail they do.

So. After the lake, I move a bit further south, into the fringes of the Seeland area. Totally rural in character, and it amazes me that such a thing exists so close to a major city, and at how quickly the transformation is accomplished. Again, an amazing country.

And here's some photos just for you, Bro. Anjan! I'm thinkin' that a man who stuck faithfully to this avatar for so long..

Photo by Anjan Shenoy


..will appreciate them. Smile

Photo by Ricky Lee


Photo by Ricky Lee


Photo by Ricky Lee


For if there's one thing I associate with Switzerland nearly as much as watches, it's cows. Wink

'night guys! It's going on midnight here, and I got to put on my Company Face tomorrow morning. Seems a shame but, after all, they didn't send me over here for recreation. Wink

Cheers!

-Ricky


"A man, like a watch, is to be valued for his manner of going." - William Penn
Messages In This Thread

Travel Report Update! - Today was kind of a bust, or "What a dufus I am!" (Swiss trip 2011) Jpeg Attachments URL

 Ricky Lee 1023 June 05, 2011 03:52PM

I think that's a Ural sidecar rig- Watch made in Russia (or CCCP) (n/t)

 itschris 155 June 05, 2011 04:38PM

I think you're correct Chris, I've been looking at those and the royal Enfields for a while (n/t)

 BobbyMike 147 June 05, 2011 05:03PM

Good eye, guys! Thumbs up! It is indeed a Ural. By all accounts I've seen..
..a solid machine. They are a bit on the high-maintenance side compared to a modern design, perhaps. But as long as you give them the TLC they require, they will apparently keep chugging along forever. (And that would apply to the Indian-built Enfields as well, I think. Smile)

 Ricky Lee 149 June 05, 2011 10:41PM

Re: Travel Report Update! - Today was kind of a bust, or "What a dufus I am!"
Yeah Sweden was like that very clean!

Hope your feeling better!

 DRFP 142 June 05, 2011 04:48PM

Re: Hope your feeling better!
Thank you! mate, I am indeed feeling much better this morning. Just a bit foot-sore from all the walking. I've probably walked more in the last 4 days than I usually do in a typical month. Wink But that's a Good Thing!

 Ricky Lee 134 June 05, 2011 10:45PM

Great post Ricky Thumbs Up Don't drink the water - it'll give you the Sharts! Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off (n/t)

 Nuvolari 125 June 05, 2011 06:03PM

NOW you tell me. I am confused
And the tortellini is highly suspect, too! Eek!

Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

 Ricky Lee 133 June 05, 2011 10:48PM

Fine reportage, RL! The Solings bring back memories >>
I used to sail in the Soling class. I crewed in the 1991 Soling World Championship.

 Dave Murphy 135 June 05, 2011 06:22PM

Re: ..I used to sail in the Soling class. I crewed in the 1991 Soling World Championship.
Oops! Oops! I meant "Just for you and Dave Murphy, Bro. John N" Wink

World Championship, huh? Impressive!

But.. shoot, I'm impressed you knew what kind of boat it was. Laughing I couldn't have ID'ed it as a Soling if my life depended on it! Blushing

 Ricky Lee 165 June 05, 2011 10:53PM

Not really that impressive, RL. At the time, >>
I was needed for crew, when an out-of-town boat came up short. The boat that I sailed on would not have qualified for the regatta.

It was fun, though. It's amazing how yelling and screaming whatever rule you thing the other guy is breaking automatically translates into any language.

 Dave Murphy 132 June 06, 2011 05:23AM

Glad you are feeling better, Great pic's. Smile (n/t)

 DanB 138 June 05, 2011 06:32PM

Thank you! Bro. Dan!
Plenty more photos where those came from. I've shot around 500 so far. Obviously the photo-taking will slow way down starting today.. unless y'all want to see photos of CNC grinding machines.. Wink

 Ricky Lee 163 June 05, 2011 10:57PM

Cool stuff RL. Thumbs Up (n/t)

 DJM 143 June 05, 2011 07:03PM

Thanks partner! Blushing
Wish you were here! Wink

 Ricky Lee 143 June 05, 2011 10:58PM

Thanks for the report Ricky! I love that side car! (n/t)

 Timemiser 111 June 05, 2011 07:53PM

Me too. Thing that REALLY caught my attention is there are still plenty of 2-strokes on the road here
The modern 125cc Aprilia sport-bikes seem particularly popular.

 Ricky Lee 138 June 05, 2011 11:02PM

Funny thing in that last shot of the cows....see those price tag looking things on the ears?
I was just at the Safari in Six Flags great adventure in Jackson, NJ and the animals there had similiar tags. I know they are for Identification pourposes obviosly....but the do seem kind of rediculous. They remind me of the price tags on the price is right. Just waiting for Bob Barker to say......"A NEW COW!!" Cowbell not included!..

 dano0 131 June 05, 2011 08:36PM

Ah - ear tagging... Usually done spring roundup time...
along with steering, branding, and vaccinating.. The tags come in two pieces, the tag, and the plug/button. You use a tagging pliers to apply it, best analogy is ear-piercing, only the tag stays behind. You can get tags with RFID chips in them as well, and insecticide laced tags to help with ticks, etc.. Tow tags are for security by redundancy, and in some cattle countries, law specifies two tags.

Roundups are hard work followed by some good-ole fashioned partying.. (and calf fries, well..Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off say no more)

 Flasharry 135 June 05, 2011 09:07PM

Ah. Calf fries.. haven't sampled the Swiss calf fries yet.
But I'm thinkin' they'd be no different than our North American calf fries. Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

 Ricky Lee 136 June 05, 2011 11:05PM

Unless they fondued 'em... probably not.. (n/t)

 Flasharry 162 June 06, 2011 11:15AM

Re: Just waiting for Bob Barker to say......"A NEW COW!!" Cowbell not included!..
Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

 Ricky Lee 134 June 05, 2011 11:03PM

Hope everything goes very good for you,Ricky! And one more great topic!Cheers!Thumbs up! (n/t)

 IF 145 June 05, 2011 10:18PM

Thank you! Bro. Yannis! Cheers! (n/t)

 Ricky Lee 117 June 05, 2011 11:06PM

I WIS Honeymoon Swiss cows.
The most amazing sleep I've ever had was accompanied by Swiss cowbells in Murren.

And nice reporting! Though I don't understand the consumption of Italian food. I'd be rotating beer, cheese, sausage 24/7! Cheers!

 SAH407 122 June 06, 2011 06:16AM

Re: The most amazing sleep I've ever had was accompanied by Swiss cowbells in Murren.

Quote
SAH407
And nice reporting!
Blushing Thank you!
Quote
SAH407
Though I don't understand the consumption of Italian food.
Well, remember that Italy is right next door. And Italian is the "3rd Swiss language". The Italian restaurants here tend to be darned good ones!
Quote
SAH407
I'd be rotating beer, cheese, sausage 24/7! Cheers!
Shoot, I can do that back home in Mississippi. Crazy! Loco!

Mind you neither the beer, cheese, nor sausage would be quite as good. Wink Still.. Laughing
 Ricky Lee 166 June 06, 2011 02:36PM

Thank you! Ricky, will go to the travel reports also Thumbs Up (n/t)

 Reto 107 June 06, 2011 07:11AM

Any chocolate overdose yet? laughing (n/t)

 JP 106 June 06, 2011 09:05AM

No. But tell you what, I've had some slam-dunk double-throw-down GOOD chocolate! WIS Honeymoon Thumbs up!
And that Gruyère cheese? Don't get me started! Drooling

Wink

 Ricky Lee 154 June 06, 2011 02:30PM

Thank you! for the TR Ricky. I hope by now you are 100%. (n/t)

 Larry 122 June 06, 2011 11:24AM

Part One - Prequel Part Ten - Travel Day, Giant Swiss Knife
Part Two - Arrival / Fribourg Part Eleven - More Window Shopping
Part Three - Biel / Bienne Part Twelve - Swiss vehicles
Part Four - Window Shopping Part Thirteen - Homeward Bound
Part Five - Neuchatel, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle, Jura mountains Part Fourteen - Bumotec and Hysek tours
Part Six - Swiss Cows, Misc. Part Fifteen - Musée Omega
Part Seven - Starting Gun Part Sixteen - Musée d'Horlogerie du Locle
Part Eight - Side trip Part Seventeen - Martin and Ueli do Memphis
Part Nine - M-Z factory, Patek < Return to Watch Blog Index >

< Next installment is HERE >