Pfoderie: SWITZERLAND 2010 BIRTHDAY

This is the start of my Birthday month, October 1st. I got up early and enjoyed the sunrise out on the terrace with a cup of fresh ground coffee, watching the approaching planes to their destination at airport Zurich / Kloten. Every morning at around 7:45 am the gigantic Airbus 380 arrives from Singapore, and this morning I captured the flight on video.

View from Andrea and Toni`s terrace

Arriving of Airbus 380 at 7:45 am

Celebrating early

In the backyard of Andreas and Toni`s house, before leaving for today

Donna and I left the house at 10am to check out the shopping center Spreitenbach. Mostly window shopping, we walked through the whole complex for 3 hours inclusive a lunch break for a delicious salami sandwich and some beverage. From there we drove a short distance to my home town Vogelsang, where I spent my entire childhood. 49 years ago in 1961 I left Vogelsang for good and I still miss the place, that's why I like to check it out every time I return to Switzerland. Of course a lot changed since then, but our house, the school, the restaurants and other buildings are still there, so are some neighbors from back then.

The back of my childhood house

(notice: the house and garden need a lot of work, my father would have never let this happen)

The walkway over the train bridge

The house from across the river

Directly in front of our house where we lived, the two big river Aare and Reuss joined each other, forming a sizable island which is now close to gone. Donna has some vivid memories visiting the island, swimming across the river with me and my brother Toni, about 20 years ago. How many American girls can claim that?

Two tree are left from the fairly sized island

After chatting with our ex neighbor and schoolmate 60 years ago, we went to the restaurant "Landhus", a old hang out of ours.

Enjoying some beverage on the patio of the restaurant "Landhus"

Cruising through my home town

Back to Neerach we took the route over Turgi and Nussbaumen, where my father spent the last years of his life.

Beautification of a traffic circle in Nussbaumen

It was still my birthday and I got reminded of it when Andrea gave me a nice present on our arrival at home.

My birthday present from Andrea and Toni

( it arrived safely home in St. Charles and we already enjoyed halve of it)

After freshening up, Andrea, Toni, Donna and I went to a fabulous Dinner in the "Wilde Man" Restaurant in Neerach, ordering Salad, Filet Mignon, Dessert and some good wine. Afterwards we celebrated some more in the Cow Bar next door. ( a Cow stable converted in to a night club).