Swiss National Day

Today is Swiss National Day. Switzerland’s national celebration, held every year on 1 August, celebrates the signing of the Federal Charter of 1291 in early August of that year. The Federal Charter of 1291 was officially regarded as Switzerland’s founding document only in 1891, to commemorate its 600th anniversary, and has been an annual celebration from 1899. It only became a national public holiday in 1994. This is usually celebrated each year with paper lantern parades, bonfires, hanging strings of Swiss flags and fireworks. In recent years fireworks have been banned to protect the animals - and also to prevent fires when it has been a hot and dry summer - and this year they are doing a laser light show instead.

Unfortunately the day started with rain, it was chucking down for most of the morning and I felt quite sorry for the stall holders setting up in the rain. Late morning the rain stopped so I took a walk down to the centre of the village with Xena - Gavin was working all day today and Tommy had gone to the gym. It looked festive and was well supported despite the weather - there was a market selling old tat old household goods and the were a few food stalls with a band playing.

Gavin had a break at about 2pm so we went back down to the village to get lunch from one of the food stalls. We sat in the marquee to eat our bratwurst and watched the musicians playing. Tommy decided to try a Kafi Luz which was on the menu at most of the stalls, it is a traditional drink which we thought would be like a warm punch. It was awful, consisting of Swiss brandy made from apples and pears, schnapps, boiling water and instant coffee - none of us could drink it!

By now it was sunny again, so we briefly wandered the market stalls to see if I could find some old kitchen utensils (which I like for food photography) but there was nothing suitable.  Gavin then had to return to work and I took Xena for a long walk, where we were caught in rain but it was not heavy.

There is a lantern parade tonight at 9.15 pm and a laser light show at 10.15pm. I may go watch the lantern parade if it is not raining, but we will be able to see the laser light display from our terrace.