Views from "home"

As we begin to anticipate moving away from Switzerland, I am finding myself desiring to take more photos of the areas around where we live.
And so, as I had time to take a long hike today (6.8 miles) and as the weather appeared that it would cooperate, I decided to carry the little camera in my pocket.

Here is a sampling of "home." This farm is outside of the small town of Bachs, Switzerland, just up and over a hill from our little village. Of course, the cows have bells on, although I really doubt there is a chance of them getting "lost." But it makes for a beautiful sound when you are out walking.

Bachs is a very picturesque village, surrounded by farmland and forest. The woods are highly regulated, but are used to provide firewood, plants to purchase, tables and benches, wooden well troughs, Christmas trees and decorative wooden candles. (Email address by which to order given on the town's website, if you're interested. I didn't write to see if they ship internationally.) I often walk through this village on one of my daily walks. Some days I hear the loud whirling of the lumber factory that is just at the edge of town. Some days I just hear the church bells ring.

In the middle of town, I took a side road up into the hills and up over another ridge and down into the village of Stadel. It was on my way into Stadel that I noticed a garden shed that I had never noticed before. I got to thinking how fun it would be to build a little guest house in our back yard that mimics this shed. Bring a bit of Switzerland back to NC with us. You know, for those days when I want to "go to the hills, when my heart is lonely...."

Well, it might look a bit out of place with a very southern looking, red brick house out in front. Ah well, it's always fun to dream.

After passing the garden shed, I came alongside this beautiful garden. I guess I've never come this direction during a growing season, or else someone new is maintaining this garden. There is a lovely section with flowers and a very neat and tidy area full of vegetables.

I really enjoy the church buildings in Switzerland. Although unfortunately, they may no longer be used much for worshipping our Lord, they were beautifully built. I am especially drawn to the bell (clock) towers. Of course, since punctuality is such a highly valued trait, the bell towers almost always have a clock on at least one, if not all four sides. But I think it is the bells that I enjoy the most. The old Baptist church in Lima had a bell tower. I was even able to go and help Dad ring those bells a few times. Perhaps that's why bell towers have always intrigued me. But, for whatever reason, I have begun a collection of photos of church bell towers. Stay tuned.