At the Simplon Pass

This is an old picture, from April, when we went to the Simplon Pass (2005 m above sea level) in the canton of Valais/Wallis. Shown here is the Hospice du Simplon/Simplon Hospiz. In English, think of the archaic version of "hospice": a lodging for travelers, esp. one run by a religious order (Source OED).

More at the Wikipedia page:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplon_Pass>

I'm going to take a break from blogging because of personal reasons. Hope to see you back here before too long.

Somewhere along the Nufenen pass

A photograph I took while traveling along the mountain pass that connects canton Valais to canton Ticino. Sometime in 2006. Note to self: Return there.

A tree seen from Blatten

Sometimes the fog has its benefits as in this case where it made a blank backdrop for the photo. Blatten is in Wallis. From there one can take the ski lift up to Belalp. I've been up there only in the summer, to wander around and take a look at the Aletsch glacier.

Addendum, though unrelated: Here's a link to a skit on TV that's crazy popular for new year's eve in these parts.


20091225

Villages in Wallis

Somewhere in Oberwallis. I haven't been able to remember where, but when I do, I'll update the text.

Update: Thanks to reader Wellingtonia for identifying the villages. That's Ritzingen (part of Gemeinde Grafschaft) in front, the little chapel is the Feldkapelle of Ritzingen. A bit of trivia: the birthplace of Cesar Ritz (of the hotel fame) is Niederwald, a neighboring village in this region. Yep, "ritzy" can be traced back to here...

20061225

Art on the wall in Brig

On a building in Brig in the canton of Valais/Wallis.

20081225

One blacknosed sheep

The Schwarznase of Wallis.

20091225

Two white goats

Still in Valais, near Visp.

20091225

Snow on chalet

20060318

Ornamentation

Ornamentation in a small church in the Oberwallis region.

20061225

To the mountains

We're off to the mountains, or rather the valley (Valais/Wallis) as usual this time of year. Hope you all have a lovely Christmas holiday!

20061224

Excursion: Münster IX

And here is a photo of one of the buildings in its entirety. This one is for storage.

20090816

Excursion: Münster VIII

The house from day before yesterday, seen a little more closely. I was prompted to post this following Julie's remark about the siding material. These look like "rund" (round) Schindeln, usually made from larch or spruce.

20090816

Excursion: Münster VII

More weathered wood. This is a door to one of the huts.

20090816

Excursion: Münster VI

A house with what appears to be wood fish scale siding. Not that common over here.

20090816

Excursion: Münster V

The sign on the box reads "Leftover bread for animals".

20090816

Excursion: Münster IV

The buildings that were used to store grains and such were raised above the ground and had slate discs such as this one (covered in lichen) to prevent mice from getting in. So I've been told.

20090816

Excursion: Münster III

Stairs leading to a storage area.

20090816

Excursion: Münster II

There's a lot of old weathered wood in Münster, like in most towns and villages in the area. Here I found an interesting contrast between materials. The little object is a wind sensor.

20090816

Excursion: Schwarzhalszeigen near Mund

I do have a few photos of the Schwarzhalsziege (see yesterday's post) in my collection. This one is from the saffron-growing area of Mund in canton Wallis.

20081019

Excursion: Münster I

This week I'll be sharing some photos I took a couple of months ago during a trip to canton Wallis/Valais.

Walliser Schwarzhalsziege = black throated goats from Wallis. I think they're unique to the region. I'll have to see if I can find an old photo of a few.

20090816