Baptismal Font in Thun

We attended church in this small, member-built (1952) building every year we visited Switzerland until they dissolved the Thun Branch in 2008. It was the oldest branch in the church. (It never grew big enough to be a ward.) Since it was the first church building built in Switzerland, it had to have a baptismal font, but I never knew that. It is concealed under the floor of a classroom in the basement. It has no heat and no drain. You are looking at the "water heater". It is a giant coil, attached to an electrical cord. It did a fine job. To drain the font, they pump the water out. Unless the pump doesn't work. Then they take it out by the bucket-full. We didn't wait around to see if the pump worked.

"Chlauser-ball"

Here are some photos of the decorations and the young adults for the 70's themed dance they had last Friday. I think "Chlauser" is from "Samichlaus", which is their Santa.

Two sides to Switzerland

We've walked past this house every time we go to the market and have watched it through the seasons. I can't decide which season is prettier. What do you think?

Can you guess what this is?

No, it's not a white jellyfish in a black sea. This is a light fixture by the tram station. The snow falling on it has melted from the heat of the lamp, but freezes into icicles before it can drip off. You can see the snow continuing to fall around it.

Winter arrives with a bang!

We went from pleasant days to well below freezing in two days, followed by a LOT of snow. Anyone want to ride these bicycles? (Those "humps" in the background are ornamental grasses, tied up for winter.)

Christmas in October

Here is Christmas in Switzerland---in October! Because of mailing times and costs, we had to be prepared early. We fit all of this into 3 boxes, and $200+ later, Christmas was on its way!

My Favorite Tree

This is a view from our bedroom window. There was a beautiful evergreen tree on this spot when we got here last year. I was so sad when they cut it down a few days after we arrived. This tree was in its shadow, and showed its gratitude for the new-found sunlight but putting on this great display, and keeping its leaves longer than any other tree in the neighborhood. (Perhaps you can see the "snow-plow tram" in the background, ready for its winter duty.)

Late Fall Colors

Even though we were running to catch the train, I had to stop and take a picture of the trees on the hill behind the train station.

Happy Balcony

Well into October, the "jungle" in the balcony was thriving. With no hard frosts, we enjoyed this view out our window for quite a while. This picture was taken October 27.

Sad Balcony

Then it turned snowy and cold so suddenly, the flowers were totally unprepared