Gruezi everyone,
Well yet another misadventure to share with you. We made it into Amsterdam at near to midnight on Thursday, about 2 odd hours later than we expected, after yet another delayed flight. Checked straight in at our hotel (NH Amsterdam, right near Leidesplein) and ducked out for a night cap before hitting the hay. Early Friday morning, Ness and I went out to Den Hague to sort out her work Visa, have a wander around the city and check out the sights. We also discovered there an exhibition/installation of modern Australian art works right in the middle of the city which was rather cool. All pieces/installations were very modern, some with a distinct Aus flavour - others just obscure sculptures and works. We spent most of the day in The Hague and were back in Amsterdam by 3 that afternoon. Being that we were very restricted by time we didn't have much of a chance to go any real distance further, but it was good to see The Hague as we hadn't been there before anyway. Late Friday afternoon it decided to absolutely dump down rain so we ended up finding ourselves a restaurant and spent most of the night eating and drinking.
We had to be at the airport by 1pm on Saturday, so again time wasn't really there to be going too far. Probably a good thing though because once again that morning it poured down rain. We transferred out to the airport, looked around for a while, back on another delayed flight and back to Zurich again by just on 5pm. Now that's what I call a flying visit.
Sunday was relatively quiet, but a brilliant sunny day, so once again we headed down to the lake - which is the thing most people do of a Sunday. We didn't know until we got there, but there was a triathlon in Zurich city so there were quite a lot of people around putting in the hard yards. We on the other hand decided to take a more leisurely pace and took a little paddle boat on the lake and sat out on the water for a while. Such a hard life.
Next weekend we're on a train down to Geneva, being picked up from there and then driving out to Avignon to spend the weekend with Ness's family. Lots more travel ahead, at least I have never had a train been delayed, well not for 2 hours anyway. A big HELLO to everyone back home, hope everything is coming up roses. Until next time,
Peace and Kind Regards,
Jimi and Ness
Monday, June 25, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
2007: A Place Oddity
Gruezi once again,
Going to try and keep this entry short, I've got a pile of surveys waiting in front of me that have to be done. Well, another much anticipated moment has come and gone - This Saturday we had the privilege of seeing the Stanley Kubrick Exhibition (Inside the Mind of a Visionary Filmmaker) which some of you may remember me mentioning before. The exhibition itself was so very comprehensive, beginning from his very early days of photography and photojournalism right through to the very last of his films (I refer to A.I. and not Eyes Wide Shut - a debate still had by fans of Kubrick). Every film had an entire section dedicated to it displaying pieces such as HAL's 'eye' from 2001, Jack's axe from The Shining and even the bomb from Dr. Strangelove. There were scripts with hand written corrections and notes, media installations with interviews from people whom Kubrick worked with, stills and story boards, original conceptual art, original costumes from A Clockwork Orange.............. An amazing collection and insight into Kubrick's incredible and ground breaking works. As part of the experience we were also able to see 2001: A Space Odyssey for the first time in a cinema on the big screen - the only way it should be seen. This is another one of those moments that my words can barely do justice to what I had the privilege to see - which is a perfect segway into the next part of this story.
On Sunday, which was coincidentally the World Inline Championship here in Zurich, Ness and I decided to attempt to make our way to the top of Uetliberg, the highest point in Zurich over 900 metres above sea level. After a misadventurous start, specifically going every which way but the right way and then choosing the hardest walking trail almost vertically up the side of the mountain, we made it on foot all the way to the summit. Always the hard way. From the top there is a clear 360 degree view right across Zurich, we were lucky to have a beautifully clear day and could even see the snow capped Alps way off in the distance. The view was simply breathtaking and worth every ounce of foot slogging, sweat dripping effort. We of course have photos to prove it.
This Thursday we're off to Amsterdam for a couple of days and next weekend, if everything goes to plan, we're on our way to Avignon to see Ness's family. Despite Zurich seems a bit smaller and quieter then Amsterdam we're still managing to have some form of (mis)adventure every chance we get. But for now, I'd better be getting some work done, so until next time,
Tun Sie nicht nichts, das wir nicht tun würden,
Jimi and Ness
Going to try and keep this entry short, I've got a pile of surveys waiting in front of me that have to be done. Well, another much anticipated moment has come and gone - This Saturday we had the privilege of seeing the Stanley Kubrick Exhibition (Inside the Mind of a Visionary Filmmaker) which some of you may remember me mentioning before. The exhibition itself was so very comprehensive, beginning from his very early days of photography and photojournalism right through to the very last of his films (I refer to A.I. and not Eyes Wide Shut - a debate still had by fans of Kubrick). Every film had an entire section dedicated to it displaying pieces such as HAL's 'eye' from 2001, Jack's axe from The Shining and even the bomb from Dr. Strangelove. There were scripts with hand written corrections and notes, media installations with interviews from people whom Kubrick worked with, stills and story boards, original conceptual art, original costumes from A Clockwork Orange.............. An amazing collection and insight into Kubrick's incredible and ground breaking works. As part of the experience we were also able to see 2001: A Space Odyssey for the first time in a cinema on the big screen - the only way it should be seen. This is another one of those moments that my words can barely do justice to what I had the privilege to see - which is a perfect segway into the next part of this story.
On Sunday, which was coincidentally the World Inline Championship here in Zurich, Ness and I decided to attempt to make our way to the top of Uetliberg, the highest point in Zurich over 900 metres above sea level. After a misadventurous start, specifically going every which way but the right way and then choosing the hardest walking trail almost vertically up the side of the mountain, we made it on foot all the way to the summit. Always the hard way. From the top there is a clear 360 degree view right across Zurich, we were lucky to have a beautifully clear day and could even see the snow capped Alps way off in the distance. The view was simply breathtaking and worth every ounce of foot slogging, sweat dripping effort. We of course have photos to prove it.
A few views from Uetliberg, the top of Zurich
This Thursday we're off to Amsterdam for a couple of days and next weekend, if everything goes to plan, we're on our way to Avignon to see Ness's family. Despite Zurich seems a bit smaller and quieter then Amsterdam we're still managing to have some form of (mis)adventure every chance we get. But for now, I'd better be getting some work done, so until next time,
Tun Sie nicht nichts, das wir nicht tun würden,
Jimi and Ness
Friday, June 15, 2007
Update from Switzerland
Gruezi everyone,
Well the news to hand is it looks like we're going to be here right up until the end of August now. Ness has been asked to stay on a little while longer to help train some of the new Scenic Europe office staff. She has also been offered a famil on one of the Eastern Europe Scenic tours, it has been more than generously offered to me to accompany her. Such a damn shame, getting made to stay here longer in Europe, Ha! Ness also plans to take a little time off as well in which we hope upon hope to make it over to the UK - when the crew visited us here, it was offered that if we could make it we would have a place to stay a few nights in Edinburgh. It also looks like we're heading back to Amsterdam next weekend to sort some form of issue with Ness's work visa, it's nothing major, but apparently she has to do what needs to be done in person. So far none of these plans are set in stone, except of course the weekend back to Amsterdam, but more than likely we will be staying on for that extra amount of time regardless. Sedge (yes, it is Brett, but old habits die hard) and the lovely Dana have very kindly agreed to keep the home fires burning back in the field, so a big shout out to those two for taking care of business back home (Break a leg my old mate). Well, that's about it for now, we'll keep you all posted as the details are finalised. Hope you don’t miss us too much. :P
Love, peace and regards,
Jimi and Ness
This is a call out to all the expecting ladies, there are a few of you now, we both hope all is going along well and both Mum's and Bub's are happy and healthy. Love to you all.
Well the news to hand is it looks like we're going to be here right up until the end of August now. Ness has been asked to stay on a little while longer to help train some of the new Scenic Europe office staff. She has also been offered a famil on one of the Eastern Europe Scenic tours, it has been more than generously offered to me to accompany her. Such a damn shame, getting made to stay here longer in Europe, Ha! Ness also plans to take a little time off as well in which we hope upon hope to make it over to the UK - when the crew visited us here, it was offered that if we could make it we would have a place to stay a few nights in Edinburgh. It also looks like we're heading back to Amsterdam next weekend to sort some form of issue with Ness's work visa, it's nothing major, but apparently she has to do what needs to be done in person. So far none of these plans are set in stone, except of course the weekend back to Amsterdam, but more than likely we will be staying on for that extra amount of time regardless. Sedge (yes, it is Brett, but old habits die hard) and the lovely Dana have very kindly agreed to keep the home fires burning back in the field, so a big shout out to those two for taking care of business back home (Break a leg my old mate). Well, that's about it for now, we'll keep you all posted as the details are finalised. Hope you don’t miss us too much. :P
Love, peace and regards,
Jimi and Ness
This is a call out to all the expecting ladies, there are a few of you now, we both hope all is going along well and both Mum's and Bub's are happy and healthy. Love to you all.
Chateau de Gruyeres (aka Chateau St. Germain aka The Castle)
The Castle
Yours truly on the Castle rampart
The imposing Castle (Southern face)
Massive plaque to the left of the main entrance into the Castle Courtyard
Inside the main Courtyard looking up into the galleries
View of the Western face of the Castle
Gruyeres and Chateau de Gruyers
Before I start, the whole Chateau/St. Germain (Castle) shares the same name, in this post I'm referring to the Chateau as the whole area and not just the Castle itself.......
Ness on the Ramparts of the Chateau
Entry archway into the Chateau
The main street and old well (now a fountain) of the Chateau
The main street of the Chateau
The main area of the township Gruyeres viewed from the ChateauWednesday, June 13, 2007
Chateau de Gruyeres
Gruezi one and all,
Twas a rare occasion, but Ness managed to get this Tuesday off work and we decided we would head out to Gruyeres. It was very nearly our own planes, trains and automobiles moment (Our thoughts go out to Bone and Alwyn who have had to deal with rail stoppages across Europe). After several modes of transport, changing from buses to trains etc and some 2 odd hours later we made it to Gruyeres. At the outset I really only wanted to see the H.R. Giger museum there, how wrong I was. My wildest expectations were surpassed in every sense. Before I get too far ahead of myself, let me lay down a few facts for those of you that are interested -
Gruyeres itself is a town in the Fribourg region of southern Switzerland nestled at the foothills of the Alps (somewhere around 800 metres above sea level). The crane (in French: "Grue") - its heraldic representation - inspired the name Gruyeres. Some of you may know the name as it is a cheese, and yes, it is made here funnily enough. This is the French speaking region obviously very near to the French border. The Chateau de Gruyeres is one of the most prestigious Castles (my previous spelling, Castel, is the German) in Switzerland. Constructed between 1270 and 1282, this grand structure is not just a Castle but a whole fortified village. Cobbled streets, stone walls, towers and ramparts - a true journey back into a time long gone. Again I add that a place such as this can never be done justice in a sentence or paragraph - it is just not possible to describe the feeling of awe walking the hill into this understatedly amazing place.
As I was saying earlier - The Giger Museum is located in the Chateau, along with the Giger Bar, several small restaurants, craft, souvenir and cheese shops. There are actual residents of the Chateau (not the Castle itself) going about their daily business, but the slack-jawed tourists clearly outnumber the residents. Luckily we didn't really stand out as tourists (despite constant use of camera), being Ness speaks French, we managed really well - more so than we do here in Zurich. Just wandering the streets was a brilliant experience which brings me back to H.R. Giger.
Many times I have seen his works, but never to stand in front of them: Sculpture, painting, furniture, etching, mediums that defy description, even a private collection of works that have inspired or been dedicated to the man himself. I'm not going to try and describe the style of art, if you don't know who I am talking about chances are you probably won't like Giger's very distinctive style. I spent nearly two hours wandering through these works with my jaw firmly attached to my chest. The experience was emotional, grotesque, inspiring, moving and a mind fuck all in such a fleeting moment - an opportunity I thought I would never have in my lifetime. The Giger Bar was just as incredible, the decor design was like a cave of ribs and skulls stretched across a bloody circuit of canvas (and they sold beer too). Furniture of bone and flesh melting into the mechanic as only Giger can. I could go on and on and on. You may have guessed by now that I relished the experience.
The Castle was truly magnificent. Walking through the main entrance into the courtyard was nothing less than spellbinding. Towering walls, timber older than the colonized nation of Australia, ramparts, wooden galleries overlooking the courtyard, Baroque and Renaissance artworks, even a Pianoforte constructed in 1835 by J.W. Braschoss for Franz Liszt. The grandiose Knights'room, painted between 1852 and 1862 by Henri Baron, depicting the history and legend of Gruyeres dating back to the year 400. There is way too much to describe so it is a good thing we have plenty of photos to bring back with us. You can feel the history, literally and figuratively, everywhere you look. One memory forever etched on my mind is the image of a lone Knight crudely etched into one of the white-washed walls, the date 1541 scratched in along side of it (and yes, it was authentic).
This day was the greatest experience I have had here in Switzerland, and quite possibly all of Europe, but of course there is still plenty more to see. For now I shall bid you all a very fond Auf Wiedersehen, very very soon I will start posting some photos of our trip to Gruyeres so keep checking back because there will probably be a fair few of them. I will also put up a few of the photos I was able to take of the Giger Bar and Museum. Until next time, my friends, I shall leave you with words from the man himself:
"The more famous I get, the more I am tolerated, albeit with some head-shaking." H.R. Giger.
'Well, at least I'm big in Europe.' L.J. Barnes
Regards,
Jimi and
Twas a rare occasion, but Ness managed to get this Tuesday off work and we decided we would head out to Gruyeres. It was very nearly our own planes, trains and automobiles moment (Our thoughts go out to Bone and Alwyn who have had to deal with rail stoppages across Europe). After several modes of transport, changing from buses to trains etc and some 2 odd hours later we made it to Gruyeres. At the outset I really only wanted to see the H.R. Giger museum there, how wrong I was. My wildest expectations were surpassed in every sense. Before I get too far ahead of myself, let me lay down a few facts for those of you that are interested -
Gruyeres itself is a town in the Fribourg region of southern Switzerland nestled at the foothills of the Alps (somewhere around 800 metres above sea level). The crane (in French: "Grue") - its heraldic representation - inspired the name Gruyeres. Some of you may know the name as it is a cheese, and yes, it is made here funnily enough. This is the French speaking region obviously very near to the French border. The Chateau de Gruyeres is one of the most prestigious Castles (my previous spelling, Castel, is the German) in Switzerland. Constructed between 1270 and 1282, this grand structure is not just a Castle but a whole fortified village. Cobbled streets, stone walls, towers and ramparts - a true journey back into a time long gone. Again I add that a place such as this can never be done justice in a sentence or paragraph - it is just not possible to describe the feeling of awe walking the hill into this understatedly amazing place.
As I was saying earlier - The Giger Museum is located in the Chateau, along with the Giger Bar, several small restaurants, craft, souvenir and cheese shops. There are actual residents of the Chateau (not the Castle itself) going about their daily business, but the slack-jawed tourists clearly outnumber the residents. Luckily we didn't really stand out as tourists (despite constant use of camera), being Ness speaks French, we managed really well - more so than we do here in Zurich. Just wandering the streets was a brilliant experience which brings me back to H.R. Giger.
Many times I have seen his works, but never to stand in front of them: Sculpture, painting, furniture, etching, mediums that defy description, even a private collection of works that have inspired or been dedicated to the man himself. I'm not going to try and describe the style of art, if you don't know who I am talking about chances are you probably won't like Giger's very distinctive style. I spent nearly two hours wandering through these works with my jaw firmly attached to my chest. The experience was emotional, grotesque, inspiring, moving and a mind fuck all in such a fleeting moment - an opportunity I thought I would never have in my lifetime. The Giger Bar was just as incredible, the decor design was like a cave of ribs and skulls stretched across a bloody circuit of canvas (and they sold beer too). Furniture of bone and flesh melting into the mechanic as only Giger can. I could go on and on and on. You may have guessed by now that I relished the experience.
The Castle was truly magnificent. Walking through the main entrance into the courtyard was nothing less than spellbinding. Towering walls, timber older than the colonized nation of Australia, ramparts, wooden galleries overlooking the courtyard, Baroque and Renaissance artworks, even a Pianoforte constructed in 1835 by J.W. Braschoss for Franz Liszt. The grandiose Knights'room, painted between 1852 and 1862 by Henri Baron, depicting the history and legend of Gruyeres dating back to the year 400. There is way too much to describe so it is a good thing we have plenty of photos to bring back with us. You can feel the history, literally and figuratively, everywhere you look. One memory forever etched on my mind is the image of a lone Knight crudely etched into one of the white-washed walls, the date 1541 scratched in along side of it (and yes, it was authentic).
This day was the greatest experience I have had here in Switzerland, and quite possibly all of Europe, but of course there is still plenty more to see. For now I shall bid you all a very fond Auf Wiedersehen, very very soon I will start posting some photos of our trip to Gruyeres so keep checking back because there will probably be a fair few of them. I will also put up a few of the photos I was able to take of the Giger Bar and Museum. Until next time, my friends, I shall leave you with words from the man himself:
"The more famous I get, the more I am tolerated, albeit with some head-shaking." H.R. Giger.
'Well, at least I'm big in Europe.' L.J. Barnes
Regards,
Jimi and
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