Stein Am Rhein, Switzerland, is a tourist mecca – primarily I think because of its architecture. This house in particular caught my eye. Haus Vetter (Cousin’s House) dates back to 1473, though I suspect there may have been an upgrade or two since then. Canadian houses aren’t expected to last that long. I’m wondering why […]
Allow me to vent for a minute. I was just in the kitchen, and killed at least a dozen flies. There were more when I finished than when I started. It is 31 degrees Celsius, so closing the windows isn’t really an option. I want to cook some food, but not myself. In Canada this […]
When I am taking group pictures I usually ask people to say “Kase,” which is German for “cheese.” I know it doesn’t produce the desired effect, except it does. My understanding has always been that saying “cheese” moves your facial muscles into a smile – that’s why we say it when we are having our […]
It was back to the Blauen Tuesday night. It is one of those places you take guests – not too far from home and the view is great, even if it was a little misty. I am a natural city dweller. I thrive in an urban environment. I will admit though that the beauty of […]
Europe has been sweltering in a heat wave. In southern France the temperature rose to 45.9 Celsius. That works out to about 115 Fahrenheit. It hasn’t been quite that hot in Sulzburg, but 38 (100 F) still feels pretty warm, especially when there is no air conditioning. I gather Europeans don’t believe in it. The […]
It is July 1 already. Half the year is gone. Do you need any other reason for a party? Canadians celebrate their country today, which has me thinking about patriotism. We think we have the best country in the world, but citizens of other countries might disagree. I won’t list all the good things that […]
Today a photo essay of sorts, though calling it an essay is correct only if you believe a picture is worth a thousand words. Which is something I am not going to debate here, or at least not today. I hope you enjoy these photos taken from inside the funicular in Orvieto, Italy.
You can walk from the train station into the old section of Orvieto, or take a bus. But it is more fun to take the funicular. I’m not quite sure how you would get up to this Tuscan town by foot, bus or car, because we didn’t consider it. Neither, I think, did anyone else […]
Made an unexpected trip last night to the top of the Blauen, which is the second highest mountain in the region. Got there just in time for sunset. I’d been here before, four years ago on a trip to visit friends. It never occurred to me then that we would someday be living in the […]
random thoughts from lorne 
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