After Friday’s speedy run round the town I was convinced that I could go a bit faster. It would be lovely to beat my existing record for 5km of 31.24 which I set in Switzerland last month.
I gave it everything, and got round the course in 30.59, which for me is really good. Heart rate was a bit crazy at 188bpm by the end, but hey-ho.
My 5k course around Shifnal is fairly predictable, and I usually get round in something between 33 and 35 minutes. It’ll never be as fast as the courses I run in the mountains owing to the need to cross roads, dodge pedestrians and so on. This morning’s effort was pretty good – just 6 seconds slower than my all-time personal best of 31.24 which was set on the super-fast course between Mürren and Grütschalp. Very pleased with that.
When I started running I pulled on a pair of old Salomon XR Mission trainers that I’d been wearing to the pub for a few years. We’ve covered quite a bit of ground since then, and now it’s time for some new ones. Thanks for 265 great kilometres. Welcome new Salomon Wings Flyte 2 hybrid road / trail shoes.
We’re quite close to Zurich airport here, so we have plenty of time for looking around the city. There’s a big fortification protecting the town. Views from the top.
William Tell – symbol of Swiss freedom.
One of the three kings.
In April 1944 an American bombing raid mistakenly took place here – the pilots thought they were over a city in nearby Germany. Many buildings were severely damaged. This was one of them – it was repaired within a year and of course the Americans picked up the bill.
Last night of the season yesterday at the Sunstar, Steve and Beanie playing.
We’re back off to the U.K. today, but on the way we’d like to see the Rhine Falls. They’re in eastern Switzerland not far from the German border, and it takes 5 trains to get us to the nearby town of Schaffhausen. We leave our luggage in a locker and get a 6th train down to the falls. They’re pretty good.
The falls are the biggest in Europe apparently. I’m not arguing.
We got a ferry across. Equally good views from the other side.
This little road-train took us back to Schaffhausen.
We checked into our hotel and had a beer, then went for a stroll looking for a bar for later. According to Google the Cuba Club is the hottest place in town, so we popped in. We were the only ones in there.
Schaffhausen’s really quiet on Sundays.
The weather looks good, so we head up the valley to Stechelberg and walk up to Trachsellauenen. Curious goats.
We stopped for a coffee at the little restaurant and headed uphill. That lump of rock behind Val is the west face of the Jungfrau.
One of the routes to the summit begins here. There’s a small shrine commemorating some of those who didn’t return.
There are very few people around up here, and this donkey seemed very pleased to see us.
The Breithorn glacier above us.
The view back down the valley. You can just about see Wengen.
It’s a good walk, and a great way to burn a few calories.
It’s still pretty chilly in the village, so we catch the train down to Interlaken where it should be a bit warmer. Our walk takes us along the river that connects the lakes. We arrive at Neuhaus on lake Thun.
Still a few boats in the water, but most have been hauled out for winter.
We walk along the lake shore. Autumn colours.
The steamers are still running, and very popular on a sunny day like today.
Eventually we get back to Interlaken where we catch the train home.
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