Today is Easter Friday. It's a Swiss (catholic?) tradition to go walking on Easter Friday Emil and a bunch of his local mates were going for an annual stroll in the Jura. Naturally, I tagged along.

The Morning Thaw

At 8am we assembled at a local pub, downed a sandwich chased by a cup of coffee, piled into two cars and headed for the Jura range. We parked the cars on a saddle and strolled for half an hour before stopping for a drink at a farmer's restaurant. The restaurant is run by the family as a second income, and you generally just walk in and call out to let them know you're there. They milk the cows at the back part of the building.

We plodded forwards. Patches of snow remained after the last dumping, which the dog liked (people take dogs mostly everywhere in Switzerland - even in restaurants, except his feet were muddy so he stayed out). Another half an hour or so later we arrived at the next restaurant where we stopped for lunch, a few drinks, and a few rounds of Jass - Switzerland's national card game, which I've played a lot of since I've arrived.

View to the Alps

Restaurant Ahoy!

I beat Emil at Jass. Ha!

If I remember correctly, I would say that Jass (pronounced Yass) is something like 500. You and your partner have to try and win as many tricks as you can. Scoring is based on the value of the cards you win, and the first to 2500 points wins the game. Simple eh? No, not really.

Down the Valley

Lunch, including entrée and alcoholic beverages, cost CHF27 which is very cheap for Switzerland. The men discussed this on the way back. Upon returning to the car we stopped at another restaurant for another drink, then drove to Fulenbach and stopped for another drink. At that point, I was tired and was within walking distance from home. I said my goodbyes and departed, and the rest of the blokes moved on to their next local. I think they're still at it.