Day 109 Sissach to Olten

Before we set out this morning I wondered if we would rise above the 3,000 ft marker. There was a place on the map which, had we gone that way, would have done the trick.

 

Perfect strolling weather today, a little sun, a light breeze and a few clouds overhead.

We passed a garden in which some lucky person had established an ‘o’ gauge train set. I’ve always fancied an open air train set but have never had the gall to spend that sort of money on one.

Leaving Sissach we found ourselves climbing steeply up to the top of the first of several hills. Our days of soft canal strolls are now firmly in the distant past as we look towards Luzern and beyond. At one point today we stood on a view point with a panorama diagram in front of us which told us where Jungfrau and Eiger were to be seen.  I am glad that Switzerland has been gentle with us thus far and is preparing us for what is to come sensibly.

I decided to wear a T Shirt and sleeveless vest today as it looked as though it might be hot. As we climbed up the first hill I removed my T shirt and tied it to my rucksack to air. As a result of removing the T shirt and wearing only a sleeveless vest I felt cool and carefree for quite a long time. After a while Janet told me that I was turning very pink at the top of my arms. I looked for the T shirt in order to put it back on but it had gone. The sun became hotter and hotter and we were walking in a south easterly direction so one shoulder was always exposed to the sun. If each shoulder could have had a go in the shade things might have been OK but In the end I had no option but to put on my pullover as a protector. It is no joke wearing a wool pullover in the sun.

People strolling in Switzerland are treated to quite a few delightful picnic areas with barbecues, tables and chairs.

The pattern of today seems to have been a fairly stiff ascent followed by a stroll through a fabulous alpine meadow or finding a stunning view of a valley with hills beyond. Then, as we descend from our newly found alpine meadow or view of distant hills we have the pleasure of anticipation knowing that in a shortish time we will be repeating the experience once again.

I am still surprised that farms are in the middle of villages both here and in France. We saw a large dairy farm today right in the village centre, advertising milk sales 24 hrs everyday from a cooler at the road side.

 

As we toil up steep hills, over grassy meadows and through woods it is always a surprise when we arrive at a picnic place and hear the happy sounds of children playing or adults drinking and eating their lunches having driven there in a car.

Arriving in Olten we have moved a few miles nearer to the bigger hills we can enjoy later on. We didn’t get to 3,000 ft today, but we weren’t far away.

 

 

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