DAY 51 - WEINFELDEN to MÜNCHWILEN (Tuesday 6 June)

Today was another relatively straightforward day's walk on well-marked walking paths. After a brief visit to the bakery in Weinfelden, we left the town via a signposted walking path.  It went over a long pedestrian bridge, then meandered through forests and fields to the village of Affeltrangen.

Shortly after leaving Weinfelden we crossed a long pedestrian bridge 

The path offered us some photogenic vistas 

We were walking through farmland for most of the day

The path maintained its interest with varied scenery and the odd red and white cow

At Affeltrangen we joined the Jakobsweg, and stayed on it for the rest of the day. The signposting was clear all the way, and the path meandered gently through farms and over small hills. There were a few highlights on the way. 

The Jakobsweg has clear and distinctive sign marking

We are enjoying being able to refill our water bottles from the public fountains in Switzerland. This one is in Affeltrangen 

Australian long-distance walkers enjoying the walk on the Jakobsweg

Around one corner we had our first view of snow-capped mountains in the distance

This was a highlight of the day for all of us

Although we won't be going any closer to these particular mountains, they gave us a foretaste of the scenery we hope to encounter as we progress through Switzerland 

Australian long-distance walkers enjoying the Jakobsweg 

Down the hill to Münchwilen

 Approaching the end of the day's walk

Just a short walk by a stream (the Murg) to take us in to the village

We arrived in Münchwilen in the middle of the afternoon, with plenty of time to rest up before a more challenging day tomorrow. 

Day 51 - Birds 

Day 51 - Elevation Profile 

Day 51 - Route 

Day: 51

Distance: 19.09 km

Walking time: 4 hrs 05 mins

Elevation gain: 361 metres

Cumulative distance:  1,116.39

Switzerland distance: 37.61

Switzerland chocolate consumption: 6 blocks

Poem of the Day:

HAIKU - ON REST STOPS

Dad dreams of bench backs

I'd rather rest on green grass

And have a small snooze

DAY 50 - KONSTANZ to WEINFELDEN (Monday 5 June)

This morning our trio of Australian long-distance walkers headed from our hotel in Konstanz to the Swiss border, about a kilometre away. Here we took the traditional ceremonial selfie to mark the beginning of our walk across Switzerland. 

Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, on the border with Germany. Ceremonial selfie to mark the beginning of our Switzerland shore to shore walk

We took a while leaving Kreuzlingen, due in part to the spectacle of a great crested grebe on its nest, and partly because we stocked up on supplies for the day at the local Coop supermarket. 

Lake Constance at the Germany/Switzerland border 

The great crested grebe - what a bird!

The shopping centre in Kreuzlingen has a familiar sounding name

In Kreuzlingen we joined the Jakobsweg, the German name of the camino in Switzerland. We will be following it on and off for the first 6 days of our Swiss walk. The path took us out of the town and up into the countryside. 

On to the Jakobsweg. 

The path took us past a series of exercise stations. Newly-arrived long-distance walkers with boundless energy approached them with gusto.

Pleasant walking on the Jakobsweg

We followed the Jakobsweg to the village of Ellighausen, where we joined a more direct path to take us to our overnight destination of Weinfelden.

The Jakobsweg was clearly marked and fun to walk

The path on to Weinfelden was also full of interest

Two Australian long-distance walkers on the path to Weinfelden 

Along the path we were treated to the sight of masses of red kites swirling and diving behind a tractor which was ploughing up the land. We watched the spectacle for quite some time before moving on. 

Red kites swirling in the sky

Watching the kites (and the stray stork)

After the kite show, we found a bench with a view to serve as our picnic lunch spot. We then followed the path through forest and fields to Weinfelden.

Australian long-distance walker clearly delighted to be walking in Switzerland 

Picnic spot by the path

Walking through the forest towards Weinfelden 

On the path to Weinfelden

Australian walkers walking to Weinfelden 

Through the fields to Weinfelden 

Finally,  Weinfelden

Day 50 - Birds

Day 50 - Elevation Profile 

Day 50 - Route 

Day: 50

Distance: 19.66 km

Walking time: 4 hrs 25 mins

Elevation gain: 480 metres

Cumulative distance:  1,097.30

Switzerland distance: 18.52

And now a special treat: our newly arrived long-distance walker is going to try to write a poem every day during our walk across Switzerland. Here is today's poem of the day:

ODE  TO   BUFFET

What better way to start your day

Than with a scrumpt-u-ous buffet?

Will you have muesli, fruit and bread

Or eggs and veg and juice instead?

Instead? (I cry) What means that word?

I'lI have it all, don't be absurd!

And when at last I've had my fill

(Enough to get me up that hill)

I'll give myself a culinary hug

With one last sweet hot chocolate mug.

DAY 49 - KONSTANZ - Rest Day (Sunday 4 June)

We celebrated our final day in Germany with a relaxing rest day in Konstanz. We had been looking forward to this day for some time - our daughter Vienna has joined us for the Switzerland leg of our walk.  She arrived by train this morning, and settled in to the hotel. She then joined us for a stroll through some of the town's attractions.

Walking through the old town in Konstanz

A fine day for a stroll

After lunch, we headed down to the lake. We made our way to the Swiss border, where we were able to relive a moment from a previous visit here. 

Vienna in 2003 - one foot in Konstanz (Germany), the other in Kreuzlingen (Switzerland)

Vienna in 2023 - one foot in Konstanz (Germany), the other in Kreuzlingen (Switzerland)

We strolled along the lake shore, into Switzerland and back. We then headed for the port area through a maritime market. Today is the last day of the International Lake Constance Week, an annual festival which includes sailing regattas on the lake and various festivities on shore. 

Lake Constance

A Ferris wheel and a puppet show were among the attractions, while there were stalls selling all manner of interesting things

Not quite sure what this stall was selling

There were a lot of people at the market, and in the port area generally. We walked out to the famous Imperia statue,  then left the port to see some more of the old town. 

Imperia statue, Konstanz 

Some more sightseeing in the old town

We visited the cathedral, then headed back to our hotel to rest some more (we do enjoy our rest days) and to plan tomorrow's start of our walk across Switzerland. 

The cathedral at Konstanz

Day 49 - Birds

Day: 49

Distance: 0 km

Walking time: 0 hrs 0 mins

Elevation gain: 0 metres

Cumulative distance:  1,077.64