26 | February | 2022 | Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss

Switzerland is surrounded by other countries, we have no sea or ocean, it is landlocked. Just imagine if one of those countries got jealous of our life and organisation and decided to invade. We have a full time army, every Swiss able bodied male has to serve three weeks during the year: sometimes more if an officer. My No. 2 son had to oblige, from the age of 20 until about 30, although I no longer know the exact years.

And so Vladimir Putin the Russian boss, has decided that the Ukraine need to be conquered. I mention Putin by name because he is not representing the complete Russian population, but when he tells his army to march they have no choice. Is it jealousy or greed – who knows: I was born in 1946, a year after the last war but I heard enough from my parents. Have we learnt anything? All I can do is enjoy this photo of the peaceful surroundings of my village and hope that they remain.

RDP Saturday: Peace

Yesterday Evening it was quite cloudy but I had illumination from our surroundings. I was not here yesterday, as No. 2 son called past and we had a lot to catch up with as I had not seen or heard from him for more than week. However he is keeping well and the family, although his wife did lose the sense of taste after the Covid attack they all had. It is gradually getting better.

Yesterday I went into town for some groceries and naturally also to have a look.

I was not disappointed and the town is now in the hands of the carnival. This bus had been redesigned with various figures dressed in carnival masks. It was advertising tours of part of the town, but it was not really going anywhere.

They also decided that ABBA should take part in the festivities.

Many of the store windows had been decorated with carnival subjects.

Some were a little scary.

And heads were being collected.

This one was titled as the “Town Corona Prison” but all in good humour. After 2 years of not being able to have a carnival due to Corona they are now making the most of it. Almost all our complete Corona restrictions have now been abandoned, and it was the first time for a couple of years that I could enter the store and do my shopping without wearing a mask. Masks are now only being worn in nursing homes etc, and on public transport. We usually have a town carnival procession, but for that it needs a year of preparation and the relaxation of the laws came too late to organise a procession. However, everything else with masked groups of people were taking place and many restaurants were having their celebrations. Life is gradually normalising.

It was good to see that things were getting back to normal life and musicians were also appearing in town.

I am still busy at home sorting my appartement. I have discovered that Mr. Swiss had become a hoarder. I found documents dating from the nineties. Gradually I am clearing them away, but it is not possible to dispose of everything at once. It will be a gradual task, but I have time. I even had a guy ask me yesterday how much my scooter cost as his elderly father needs one. I told him I had one to sell as Mr. Swiss no longer needs it and he will contact me as he was very interested.

I eventually arrived home and was pleased that No. 2 son arrived which broke up the monotony of the evening. He left in the late evening for his train to the other side of Switzerland having a 2-3 hour journey. However, he had his mobile iPad with him with keyboard and it would not be a boring journey home. He can do some work on the train.

Today I stayed at home for a quiet Saturday with no stress. Since Mr. Swiss is no longer here I have a completely different time table. In the last week I think I only watched TV once for about an hour and I do not even miss it.

I wish everyone a relaxed time where even you are.