Rosengarten

3 Comments Posted on by dapperdaveanddinkydi Food, Travel

A proper cup of tea…

My first cup of English Breakfast tea with proper milk in weeks!

After our shopping yesterday, I came back to the appartment looking forward to a cuppa but there was only coffee. Now I love a coffee or two in the morning but mid-afternoon I just want a cup of tea. So today when we arrived home from our wanders I went out to buy some English Breakfast tea and it tastes so good that I might have another.

The forecast is not looking good for the rest of our time here so we went to the Rosengarten this morning. It’s a very easy stroll from here and gives lovely views over the old town of Bern. Not many of the roses were in flower at this time of year but it was still an enjoyable walk.

The Rosengarten would be a lovely place to sit with a good book.
A view of Bern Old Town from the Rosengarten.

There’s a lovely restaurant in the gardens and Jügh, our landlord, told us that it’s a wonderful spot to watch the sun set over the old town. We may not get the chance if the days are rainy.

We walked down into the old town very carefully over cobble stones. It was very steep. At the bottom of the hill is The Bear Pit. Legend says that Bern is named for the bears which have been here for centuries. They feature throughout the city; on walls, fountains and hanging from phone lines. The live ones look well fed but I’m not really in favour of caged animals.

Three bears in the Bear Pit of Bern

Bern sits astride the River Aare which is fast flowing. Apparently once a year people jump in and float down stream. I’m not sure it would ever be warm enough for me to do that.

The River Aare in Bern.

Einstein spent some time in Bern and the house he lived in has become a museum.

Einstein sitting in the window of the shop next door to his house.
A plaque telling of Einstein’s time in Bern

There are many beautiful buildings in the Old Town, some with flower boxes of red geraniums. They look so pretty.

I’ve never eaten fondue so we decided that today was the day. Jürg had recommended to go to Arlequin and we found it easily but we’re a bit worried as there were no other customers. It was OK but I can’t say it’s my favourite meal.

Here we are having traditional fondue in Bern

David was sorely in need of a haircut. His eyebrows were resembling those of a certain ex-prime minister of Australia so we’ve been on the lookout for a barber without much luck. Today we found a lovely young lady with time to make him presentable again. Only CHF70 or about AUD105. At home he pays $25. The two coffees we had at the restaurant at the Rosengarten cost us CHF12 or $18. Switzerland is certainly not a cheap place to visit. But it certainly is beautiful.

It’s time now for that second cuppa!