Sadly, it was time to leave Rapperswil this morning and to make our way home.  We passed the little cart with the pumpkins for sale one last time and with no traffic behind us, we could slow down long enough for me to snap a photo.

 

 

The Swiss Army was on the move as well, but as they peeled off and gathered for some kind of manoeuvre in what looked like a supermarket car park, we headed on towards the airport.

 

 

 

Though we left the hire car and our luggage there, we were not quite ready to leave yet and hopped on a train down into the city centre for a few hours.

 

 

We’ve made this journey so many times, since the very first time we travelled together to Switzerland when we were first married.  34 years ago, we stayed with some friends who worked at the airport and lived nearby, so this was our daily route into the city.  We’ve been lucky enough to come here rather a lot since then too and it all feels very familiar indeed.

 

 

We didn’t mind that it was a bit overcast when we stepped out onto Bahnhofstrasse, as long as it stayed dry, we’d be happy.  Didn’t fancy mooching around in pouring rain though!

 

 

We had a short shopping list of mostly foodstuffs and though it was tempting to bring home these heavy ready mixed fondues, we had of course been to a book launch, so our luggage was already groaning under the strain!

 

 

So we settled for lighter, airier things

 

 

The last time we sat watching the ships at Burkliplatz, it was a deal warmer and sunnier than it was today, but no matter, it’s still fun to sit and watch the world go by.

 

 

Around the corner on the Limmat river, by the Rathausbrucke, was a controversial piece of artwork.  My hero had read about it earlier today, so it was interesting to see it for real.

 

 

The commentary on the board told the story.

 

 

The graffiti on each leg said it all.  (“Separate this hateful object from the base here”)

 

 

I normally find such brave and controversial objects interesting, as much for the chatter they provoke as for the things themselves, but on this occasion, I think I’m with the crowd.  I can’t see that the crane has a place here – but perhaps I’ll read a little more about it and maybe Ill understand it a bit better.

 

 

I wasn’t really on a quest for anything special today, though I had it in mind that, if I came across a likely source of the fabric the farmers’ shirts are made from, then I wouldn’t mind bringing a bit home with me.  I asked in the Heimatwerk shop where the shirts are sold and heard the magic answer: “Maybe in the Bernina shop?”  

Can you believe I had never found the Bernina shop in Zurich?  We have now! 

The Bernina shop assistant sent us one street further, to a large fabric shop where sure enough, my request was answered with a “Ja!”  A little bundle of fabric in hand, we went back to Bernina to say “thanks” and to take a closer look at that little bag, which i recognise as being made from one of the very first patterns I came across when I bought my new machine.

 

 

It was almost 1.30pm by now and someone’s patience needed reward in the form of some lunch.  As we headed for our favourite Zeughauskeller, we passed a young woman taking an unusual pet for a walk: a vacuum cleaner!  Fans of Gifford’s Circus will see the comparison with Tweedy the clown’s pet iron, Keef

 

 

Anyway, after a hearty lunch, we felt we ought to be making tracks to the airport.

 

 

A last journey by train: Should we take the 3.01, the 3.07, the 3.09 or the 3.15?  Oh for a public transport system like this at home!  We retrieved our luggage, checked in and enjoyed a trouble free flight home.

I wonder, how long will it be before the sewing machine is switched on?