Starting Grid

The random thoughts of a lifelong Formula 1 fanatic.

Alpine Town of the Year 2008 - Brig

It's amazing just how many awards there are in this world.

I never knew there was such a thing as an Alpine Town of the Year, but Brig seems to have won the big prize this year.

Probably the main attraction is the lavish Baroque palace known as Stockalper Castle, the largest private 17th Century building in Switzerland. Again, that seems like a very tightly defined title, but it, and its gardens, is certainly worth a look.

It also shows just how wealthy merchants could be, Kaspar von Stockalper must have made or bob or two in his time.

A relatively new addition to Brig's list of attractions is the Museum of the Papal Guards. This covers the history of the Swiss Guards, who to this day still patrol the Vatican in Rome.

Brig is one of those "crossroads of Europe" towns. Celts, Romans, Alemannic tribes all came through and settled.

The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and with the Matterhorn (and of course the ski resorts of Zermatt and Saas Fee) close by, perhaps it wasnt an unusual choice for the title.

Brig Tourismus
CH-3900 Brig
+41 (0)27 921 60 30

www.ferienland-wallis.ch

photo: the phantom skier

Swiss pictures of the week

Some interesting light effects this week. First (above) a steamship on Lake Geneva.

And very local to me, the wooden bridge in Baden.

The night of the churches in St Gallen:

And finally for no apparent reason, a random picture from Bern, just because there's something about it I like.

Pictures Flickr dragunsk, serge baumeler, kreumi,  sacred destinations

Public Viewing Areas

As tickets for the matches are like gold dust, many people are opting for the next best thing.

Public Viewing Areas are springing up all over the place, even in the lakes, as you can see here in Zurich.

The idea is to promote the party atmosphere of the EM, and generally get loads of people out on the streets celebrating-

Some will be family areas, one I saw being built was sponsored by Migros the supermarket chain. Others will be corporate jollies.

I'll probably opt for a local biergarden with a large screen and nice shady trees...

Btw - EM is short for Europa Meisterschaft (European Championship) and I'll be sticking with the local abbreviation.

Wohlen - Kart Track

There aren't many opportunities to drive quickly in Switzerland so when my ex-boss offered me the chance to drive his race kart, I jumped at the chance.

Jumped too much as it turns out, as my last skiing injury hadn't completely healed and I ended up snapping a bone in my arm. Why is it called humerus?

Quite impressive without even having an accident...

Anyway, don't let me put you off, it's great fun, check out www.kartbahnwohlen.ch for opening times and prices.

Photo: Geoff Collins

PS I'm feeling a bit indisposed, so may not update quite so much over the next few weeks.

Swiss Photos of the week

To start (above) a relaxing Alpine spring view. And still in the mountains, washing hanging on the line:

Another night-time train shot, near Lausanne:

And from Ticino, just to show there is still snow around, Monte Tamaro:

 

Photos: Flickr: bestfor , rashunda, timtom, coreforce

Swiss pictures of the week

First an idyllic garden keepps

Next, rain on the way to Montsalvens lake near Bulle  mabufeu

 

Drive in Switzerland, you will go through at least one tunnel. Fact. V Bennedetti

 

   

La Perche, Rochers De Naye, viewed from the train Buddha Mountain

 

Lastly, Suere, bad weather coming... SAM

 

All photos: Flickr