About 1 hour from Zurich lies the little town of Flum.  Above Flum lies the ski area of Flumserberg.

We took the train down along Lake Zurich and then up the valley to Flum.  A gondola ride up into the snow followed.  The group I was with was all about the skiing but I settled for a “little” hike.  I’m badly out of shape and walking in snow is never easy so your intrepid blogger was very, very winded very quickly.  Luckily, I brought the camera which gave me an excuse to stop every 2 minutes while hardy Swiss hikers of all ages briskly passed me.

Stunning panoramas at every turn.

Find more pictures over at my Flickr page.

The fat old guy tries bowling again.  A big A for form but a failing grade for results.

More available at this Flickr slideshow.

Two quick and dark pictures from Embrach Switzerland.  This is where I’m attending meetings this week.

Every morning and night, we board the “Thurbo” train between here and Winterthur for the 15 mintue ride.  Very efficient, clean and quite fast.  North Americans could learn a lot from the Swiss rail system which has never disappointed me.

The Banhof Restaurant across the station.  Looks very inviting but it appears that no one ever eats there.

Speaking of eating, after a long day of meetings it appears that I’ll be spending my evening on a conference call instead of joining the rest of the group out for dinner.

As you can see, the skies are clearing here and the forecast is calling for sun and temperatures about 9 degrees above freezing.  Tomorrow we go out bowling once the day is finished.  This will be the second time I’ve gone bowling in Switzerland.  Stll find it strange that they enjoy doing it.

In meetings here in Embrach Switzerland and caught this on a break.  It’s raining here but, just a few hundred feet higher, the snow has started.

Carl Sagan

“Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense.”

The view from my hotel room.  Supposedly the shape of the building suggests a banana, hence the name.  I guess that makes sense.

Actually, everything worked out.  Smooth trip to Zurich.  My bag showed up.  Quick train trip to Winterthur and a 5 minute walk to the hotel.

Hotel Banana City.  I’m not making this shit up.  The fascination that Europeans have for using English words knows no bounds.  It’s actually a very nice place and easily twice as large a room as I usually get when I stay over here.  Somebody screwed up.

Internet access is fast but oh so expensive.  I can never understand why Swiss hotels haven’t taken a clue from their North American cousins.  Charging for access on top of already high rates is not the way to win customer loyalty.  But hey, it works for them.

Everything is unpacked and I’m beat.  Probably going to get a few hours sleep and see if anything is open in the evening.  I’m not getting my hopes up.

Air France 353 was “supposed” to leave at 4:40pm.  Would you believe 5:30?  How about 5:45?

After waiting in line for de-icing, the flight crew noticed something wrong with a circuit breaker so it was back to the gate.  Much confering and scratching of heads until it was finally decided that we could take off with only 3 engines providing warmed air to the cabin.

The Captain said he would try to make up the time coming across the Atlantic but he fell just a little short.  Sailed into Charles De Gaulle airport and made the slow taxi in.  I missed my connection to Zurich by 10 minutes.  No problem, they booked me on the next flight – hopefully my bag will join me.

Sitting in the Air France lounge having an espresso.  Can’t afford the internet connection so these will be loaded in a group.

Just my luck, France banned smoking in public places starting last week.