Today was another rest day in which we didn't do anything much. After a leisurely morning, we headed out to the village for a bit of sightseeing and a trip down memory lane.
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| We walked into town for a bit of sightseeing |
On the way we came across a 3-person lounge. As we are having a rest day, it seemed appropriate to use it.
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| One Australian long-distance walker lounging in Leukerbad |
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| Two Australian long-distance walkers lounging in Leukerbad |
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| Three Australian long-distance walkers lounging in Leukerbad |
Moving on, we went looking for the tennis court where an Australian long-distance walker worked during the summer of 1978.
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| September 1988 - future Australian long-distance walker in front of the tennis court in Leukerbad where he worked ten years earlier |
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| The same tennis court today |
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| Australian long-distance walker photographing the ruins of his former workplace |
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| A wistful Australian long-distance walker contemplating the ephemeral nature of tennis courts in Leukerbad |
We moved on from the former tennis courts to look for the apartment where the Australian long-distance walker lived while he was in Leukerbad. On the way, we discovered that there is a literary festival on in Leukerbad this weekend. We dropped in to the sales tent in the village square for a quick look.
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| Leukerbad Literature Festival is on at the moment |
We found the apartment we were looking for just a short stroll further on. There is no photographic evidence from 1978, but we did find a photo from 1988 to compare with how it looks today.
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| September 1988 - Future Australian long-distance walker in front of the apartment where he had lived ten years earlier |
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| June 2023 - Australian long-distance walker in front of the apartment where he had lived forty-five years earlier |
With the visit of nostalgia sites over, we wandered back to our apartment through the village.
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| Some of the sights of Leukerbad |
We continued our rest day with a late lunch, an afternoon rest, and a visit to the thermal baths for which Leukerbad is famous. We had been there a couple of times before.
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| September 1988 - Future Australian long-distance walker contemplating the plans for the thermal baths complex, then under construction |
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| Future Australian long-distance walker in front of the thermal baths complex, July 2006 |
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| Australian long-distance walkers walking past the thermal baths complex, June 2023 |
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| Australian long-distance walkers at the thermal baths complex, June 2023 |
So, after another very restful rest day we are ready to continue our walk tomorrow.
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| Day 69 - Birds |
Day: 69
Distance: 0 km
Walking time: 0 hrs 0 mins
Elevation gain: 0 metres
Cumulative distance: 1,481.11
Switzerland distance: 402.31
Switzerland chocolate consumption: 29 blocks
Poem of the Day:
WHEN DAD WAS A LAD
When Dad was a lad in Leukerbad
He worked at the tennis court
He thought he'd show us where it is
today
But alas, it was all for naught!
Dad may have been sad in Leukerbad
He may even have been distraught
When he learned that the tennis court
was gone
"What was it all for?" he thought.
But no, Dad was glad in Leukerbad
For a ticket to the baths was bought
We can enjoy past and present in
Leukerbad
Time changes, as it ought.
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