It is really pleasant this morning. Not too hot a and a gentle breeze to go with it outside on the patio. The big rains stayed away yesterday during the day. There was just a remainder from the night rain in the morning, but no problem. I was glad that the afternoon was rain free and I could do my shopping, although  I am now getting too good with my new system. As life progresses and leaves Mr. Swiss and I dependent on various mobility devices I had to go over the books with my shopping system.

I now live a partially frozen life, with my chest freezer and have a stock of dry goods so that I do not have to go continuously to the store. Actually I enjoy shopping, it gets me out and I mix with people. No-one enjoyed lock down, but the aftermath is that people began to think about shopping. A lot is now ordered online and the stores are no longer as crowded as they were. Perhaps it is because I mainly shop in the afternoon and the crowds arrive in the morning, but no problem. I have room to move in the supermarket and above all it seems that you have more time, less stress.

We have a public religious holiday today, but there was no hustle or bustle in the store. I discovered that I really only had two important items: a chicken which I could not really buy in advance as I like them fresh from the store, and the chips/crisps to go with it. Otherwise it was the usual bread and perhaps there were little “luxuries” like chocolate. I barely filled one bag of shopping and of course I am spending less money on a daily shopping excursion. I also buy online once a month for the basic supplies which are delivered and so my cupboard/cellar is full of necessities. Of course, life gets easier, not so much stress even when we have a day when the shops are closed.

As I am mainly on the move in my scooter, it makes life even easier and I have time after the shopping to cruise through town and take a few photos, like these two pigeons which had made themselves comfortable perched next to the lamp. As my shopping is picked up at the store and taken home by our collectors organisation, it makes things even easier.

I even have time to listen to the various musicians in town. This guy has now changed his place. He is a Czech and probably touring a little in Europe during the holiday season earning a little bit on the side with his guitar and singing talents.

There are always some picturesque corners in our town to see. This little house is tucked away in an alley and really looks comfortable with a nice outside place to sit and balcony. It is on the edge of town so also nice and quiet.

At home it is also smooth runnings and last year’s amaryllis has now opened all four buds. They generally bloom at Christmas when I bought it, but it seems it got a little impatient and is already flowering.

It was a little different to the others when I bought it with its almost double flower and individual colouring effect. I am hoping it will perhaps make the usual second stalk of flowers before it departs until perhaps next year.

As today is a holiday I will not be on any quests for food supplies or otherwise. I might just take a trip with my camera, either by scooter or electric wheelchair, and see what my camera might find. Being one of the higher days in the catholic church, they might even organise something outside the chapel at the cemetery – who knows.

I am now off to get some work done. My orchids are soaking in water with fertiliser and I should now empty the water and put them back to develop a few more flowers.

Enjoy the week-end, take it easy and just generally enjoy life.

A view over the rooftops in the old part of our town including a monument on the roof of our Jesuit church.

I know, this is a dull uninteresting skyview in the morning. It is grey and blotchy and you can almost hear the rain falling and feel it running over your arms and seeping into your hair. I was only outside for a few minutes to take the photo and quickly disappeared inside.

However, yesterday evening was an entirely different story.

I was closing things down for the night outside and saw that sunset was showing something a little different: my last photo of the day before night fall. At least it had a nice glowing touch.

Yesterday afternoon the weather was still quite reasonable so I decided on a wheelie in my chair. Mr. Swiss said he would join me later in his scooter and so we met somewhere near the local castle. On the way home we decided to cut through the cemetery which is always interesting, but never as interesting as yesterday.

Our local stables with attached chicken farm are always adding new chicken mobiles and now there are 2-3 dotted around. One of them is next to the fence of the cemetery and chickens can be quite adventurous. This time they decided on a great escape. They probably squeezed though the wire and found their way to the cemetery. The invasion was complete and there were chickens everywhere amongst the gravestones.

They seemed to be quite happy with their situation as there was plenty of grass to eat. I just read that chickens eat as much grass as a cow daily in comparison to the sizes.

Some of them had even  found a nice comfortable spot to have a rest on the ground. There must have  been at least 10-20 chickens making themselves at home.

There were chickens everywhere. We eventually wheeled on  but I have no idea if someone had to round them up afterwards and bring them back to where they belong. At least the journey through the cemetery was interesting and I had plenty of subjects for my camera.

I also saw the local goat relaxing on a higher perch, keeping an eye on things. Life in a Swiss farming village can be quite interesting.

After a while we decided to return home. I had some photos to upload on the computer and the evening meal to prepare. Suddenly there was a ring at the door and who should be there but No. 2 son. He was on his way home to the Schaffhausen area where he lives from the town of Biel where he works during the week and also has an appartment there. He made a break in the journey to visit the old folks on the way. It was a pleasant surprise and he had arrived just in time to have the evening meal of cold cuts with us. I think it was a very long while since all four of us were seated at the table together for the evening food. It was good to see him and afterwards he continued his journey home.

Today I have some shopping to do and am hoping the rain will go away in the afternoon. It already looks quite promising and the rain has now stopped. There is even a small promise of the sun breaking through. I do not have a lot of shopping to do as I have already bought most of it in advance. I decided on a chicken on Saturday evening and will have to pick it up today. Otherwise a nice clean break over the week-end as Saturday everything is closed for one of our catholic holidays, assumption day. We are not catholic but get all the benefits of their holidays. I just have to be careful not to forget anything today.

And now to move on to Saturday morning chores, not too many and no stress above all. Please keep safe everyone, take the usual precautions of keeping distance, washing hands and all the rest. It has almost become a routine in our new way of life. And do not forget the mask if you need it. We must wear them on public transport.

With a view of the local mountain range across the Jura and a few storm clouds above I wish you all a good Friday.