Erlen, Thurgau, Switzerland
Unfortunately, much needed sleep alluded me. I hadn’t thought it necessary to take an antihistamine tablet before our afternoon stroll the evening before, but clearly I should have. The heat rash, whilst not too severe, had flared up again on my legs. Having researched the subject a lot recently, I now know that the allergic reaction also occurs to the skin inside your gut, and I suspect that the internal disturbance is what kept me from falling asleep, no matter what strategies I tried. It felt as if I was awake all night, only finally drifting off to sleep when Michael’s alarm went off at 6am and he went off for his morning jog. I dragged myself up for breakfast at about 8am, although I could have slept for much longer!
A visit to the reception office of our holiday village revealed that Monday is their day off — no opportunity to enquire about wifi or report on the broken umbrella, blown light bulbs, or the broken tap switch in our bathroom. We were also needing some advice about places to visit, and so we strolled into the village and back to the tourist information office we had visited the afternoon before.
We had been informed then that free wifi was available from the Sports Cafe in town — they were happy for Michael to log in on his iPad, despite the fact that we weren’t buying anything. I plan to go back there this evening to post my blogs from the last three days!
As most of the information on the area is in German, we were happy for Astrid to decide on the day’s itinerary. We prepared some sandwiches for lunch, packed all the gear required for a long hike, and then piled into the car. It was only about 10kms to our destination, but it was slow going along the narrow road to the car park just out of the village of Binn.
Our hike took us up past an old quarry where adults and children were busy with their hammers and chisels, trying to find unique gemstones inside the rocks lying in the quarry. Astrid, being a geography teacher, was very interested in the information boards and rock displays along the road up to the quarry. (By the time we returned to the car hours later, her pockets were so full of rock samples that they were almost pulling her pants off!)
From the quarry, we took the track up the mountain to the beautiful Mullersee (See = lake).
The scenery was breath-taking, and so I kept getting left behind as I was constantly stopping to snap photos along the way. I was also still struggling with a slightly sore hip/thigh (I’m sure it’s my tight piriformus muscles squeezing my sciatic nerve), but I also found the relentless uphill climb taxing on my heart and lungs!
It was such a relief to finally reach our destination — the beautiful lake surrounded by trees and mountains. We found a shaded area to eat our lunch, and then Michael wandered to the other side of the lake to check out a large patch of remaining snow, and Astrid cooled her feet in the refreshing water. It was then time to begin the descent — so much easier than the climb up there!
It was whilst we were walking along a fairly flat section of path that I tripped and fell flat on my face, breaking my fall with my left hand (and probably a little with my right hand which was holding on to my hiking stick). I remember seeing the ground coming towards me, and then I rolled off the path into the bushes — I suspect one of them was a blackberry bush, as I could feel some prickles go through my pants — and my hat flew through the air.
I came to a stop in a sitting position, with bits of foliage in my mouth and a slight pain in my left wrist and on the left side of my face. My slight gasp as I feel had led Michael to turn around just in time to see me roll off the path. Thankfully, there was not a steep edge, and the thick bushes stopped me from rolling any further. I sat there in shock for a few moments while Michael and Astrid came to my assistance. I quickly ascertained that there was nothing broken — just a slightly sore wrist. I chose to pull myself up, just to be sure that all was OK — it was, including my precious camera that was strapped around the front of my waist! Luckily, I was only a little shaken and was able to continue on my way...slowly.
Once back at our apartment, I washed out the clothes I’d been wearing and hung them outside on the clothes airer without ringing them particularly well. With the hot sun and a breeze, they were almost dry a few hours later!
We again dined outside on the balcony, waiting until the sun had gone behind a mountain, as it was too hot to sit in the direct sunlight. I still can’t get over how hot it is here in the Swiss Alps!
With dishes now done, it’s time to wander down to the Sports Cafe (which is now closed) to see if they have left their wifi switched on so that I can post my blogs and check emails and messages!
P.S. The internet upload speed was way to slow, and so I was unable to update my trip entries after all!
wonderful scenery and experience
2018-08-04
wonderful scenery and experiences
Ian
2018-08-04
Did you feel like Brer Rabbit or Brer Fox, when you rolled in to the blackberry bush? The trail through Binn Nature Park doesn't look too dangerous. I hope that you do not have my problem with the piriformis. Your movie of Muller See reminds me that other people are also on the Binn Nature Park walk. It created the atmosphere with children running on the rocks and yelling to each other in joy.
Debbie
2018-08-04
Wow, Merrilly, hope this is a sign of what we will be seeing in Switzerland in 5 weeks, can’t wait! Beautiful scenery. Hope you are none the worse for wear after your stumble in the national park! Xx
Jo
2018-08-04
Oh Merrilly I hope you are ok. Hoping you don't wake up too stiff and sore the next day. Please take it easy we want you back in one piece. XxxJo
melandmic
2018-08-06
Thank you for all your comments! I pulled up OK after my tumble — my wrist is a little sore when I poke around in it. I’ll just have to avoid doing push-ups! xxx
melandmic
2018-08-06
Thank you for all your comments! I pulled up OK after my tumble — my wrist is a little sore when I poke around in it. I’ll just have to avoid doing push-ups! xxx