Introduction

Here we go again finally we will tell about Switzerland and the experiences that we had crossing this beautiful country.
We need to go back in time before I commence the adventures of this visit.

In 2013 we did the Camino de Santiago and walked through Switzerland from the NNE to WSW for 35 days and unfortunately, we did not see much of the country. It was such a let down to cross the Alps without seeing them through the fog and rain that was with us most of the time. We walked around the lakes without seeing the Swans or waterbirds for what it counts, and the saddest of all was to cross the forest without the singing of the many birds that live in those areas. At the time we decided that one day we would return and walk this country again hoping that the weather would be on our side so we could enjoy all the beauty that this country has been blessed with.

In between during 2016 we walked the Via Francigena from Canterbury, England to Rome and walked Switzerland again only this time our route was NW to SE so we were able to see other parts of Switzerland this time with the clear and sunny weather.
In the last publication, we indicated that we had left Konstanz on the 09 of May 2018 direction Switzerland and by midday, we had crossed the border and had started the way up the long hill.

Border patrol as shown previously

As per the previous blog, the people at the Border were not interested to see who we were or what was our destiny so we entered Switzerland with no stamp on our passport.

The route between Konstanz and Einsiedeln is associated with the children of poor families (Schwabenkinder) that once were going across this route over the alps often under the supervision of a cleric to work on farms in Germany. They ranged in age from 6 to 14. This practice lasted from the late 17th century to the early 20th century when it was classified as exploitation of child labour and outlawed.

For that this route is also known as Schwabenweg.

After walking approximately 5.0 km from Konstanz we went across a very cute area Kreuzlingen with nice houses among trees and a couple of small bridges over clear waters. We arrived in Alte Mühle and there were a set of stairs which took us to the beginning of the Schwabenweg.

Kreuzlingen Alte Mühle House commencing the Schwaben track

This is a lovely track that invites you to meditate and relax. As we advanced into the forest the birds were trilling their tunes and helped to make us forget about the time and feel that the way was short.

Beautiful day, incredible forest and excellent track

The Schwabenweg track displays the fourteen stations of the cross magnificently crafted in a copper alloy along the first 1000m. Also, a beautiful wooden bridge followed by crafted steps that take you through the beautiful green forest and areas covered in moss.

One of the stages of the cross Jesus is helped by Simon of Cyrene

Jesus and Veronica  and the shroud

Everything that men made forms part of the surroundings and blends with the colours and textures without intruding with the natural beauty. This part of the walk was breathtaking.

Walkway in the forest

After a while, the stairs took as to the road which was running in the middle of the forest. Also, there was a space that was an area for the day walkers to park their cars and in the left side was this interesting cemetery. As I indicated before, I am partial to cemeteries so we stopped to have a look and took a picture.

A Jewish cemetery in the middle of nowhere

After visiting the cemetery we re-entered the forest and walked for a couple of kilometres. Something that is almost contradictory with the politicalSwitzerlandeizerland in the world came to our attention when finding information on Kreuzlingen cementery.

This cemetery belongs to the local Jewish community of this area. The incredible part is that there were several pogroms from the 13th to the 17th centuries culminating in the Jewish people being excluded from living in Switzerland (except for a couple of small villages) from the late 17th to the early 20th centuries. So much we can say about a politically neutral  nation.

This was changed early in the 20 century and they now have their own communities and cemeteries.

Fenced pathway in the forest 

We noticed that in some parts afforestation was being implemented which is very encouraging for future generations.

Afforestation Project 

Onward we went and arrived in Neuwilen in Kemmental a village with some activity. On our way, we also passed through Riet just before Märstetten

House at the entrance to Kemmental Neuwilen

Kemmental Neuwilen on the way to Märstetten 

At this stage, we were still remembering the beauty of Germany and trying to compare it with Switzerland, Wrong !!!

Big mistake.

The beauty here is very different soon on the walk we were able to realise that. The colouring is different you can see it in the variety of the greens that are displayed also here the trees, mostly pines, look darker and planted in clusters therefore there is an optical illusion that the forests are not as wide and long.. well enough of the comparison because the beauty of both countries is amazing. On we went with our walk towards Amlikon, and Tobel and Märstetten were left behind after a short stop.

Märstetten is a lovely place that exhibits an interesting church beside a cemetery. This church is build with stone slabs and just for a change was closed. Surrounded by nice gardens of green shrubs and Magnolia trees plus all kind of greeneries. Unfortunately today everything was closed and the weather suddenly changed, the sky opened up with a wild wind and rain. So Richard could not take pictures.

On the way to Amilkon after Passing Tobel

This day  we were supposed to do 18.6 km without counting the ups and downs in the hills that may add a couple of kms extra before reaching Amlikon where we had booked our pilgerherbergen. New pieces of forest were crossed

and suddenly we realised that we did not have any signs guiding us. In theory, we had 5 km to go but we could not make sense of the area. So it was decided that we would call our host for indications. She was very kind and said that we were 2.5 km away and that she would come to pick up us in few minutes.

So that was and soon we were at the pilgerherbergen owned by a lovely couple which were members of a Protestant church and they put themselves out to help the walkers.

Our hosts in Amliko

Amlikon was cute and small, nice house, friendly people as everyone that we come across smiled and said hi.

House at the entrance of Amlikon 

Our host took us to her house before showing the place where we had our accommodation. She talked  to us for a while,  offered a drink and so we had a big glass of cold water that did a lot of good.

Once we dropped the back packs and did the daily routine a walk through the town was a must so we went across to the supermarket however they would not take credit card nor Euros or American dollars only Swiss franks and the ATM did not work with Visa that was a challenge. We were hungry and wanted to get some yogurt and fruit.

Finally, I was able to convince the person in charge of the supermarket who did not speak english of our situation and she sold us what we needed.  Then we went back to the accomodation place.

Later we realised that the only place to get something to eat that night was a pizza place. It was horrible pizza and the diner stank of cigarettes and grog.

This type of architecture was avalaible and considered as heritage. Several farms conserved this style

Heritage building 

Well, we ate and decided to call that a day. Next morning we left early after having breakfast with the young couple who kindly gave us a pocket bible for us to read on the way. We passed some lovely houses and patches of wild flowers. Today the route was pleasant with beautiful surroundings and several families which were walking as groups.

We expect to walk a longer distance today as we need to reach Münchwilen and from there to go to Wil to get a Swiss phone connection.