Martigny, Switzerland (death & dogs)

Whoa! how often does one get to snap a picture of a medieval castle and covered wooden bridge in the same shot? The first covered bridge here over the Dranse river was washed away in 1635. Rebuilt, in 1818 it was washed away by the Gietroz glacier. This one dates back to 1829.  
 

Still being used by traffic both ways.

These bike/roller blading direction signs give plenty of options. 

Another view of La Batiaz castle. Dating back to 1206-1237 the castle has burned down several times the last being 1518. The main tower is pretty much all that's left--it served as a lookout point. I cycled most of the way up but, it turned into a gravel foot path and didn't want to leave my bike unattended.

This area is a big wine producing region. Grapes were harvested several weeks ago. 

Hmm, saw this interesting-looking building with benches and bike racks out front. A museum? 

The wall writing reads: Funerarium d'Octodure. Maybe a funeral historical museum?   

Wow, very nice interior. Don't see a receptionist.

Jeez, what an idiot. Turns out this is a funeral home. This is one of six viewing rooms (casket goes in middle). How do I know the casket goes in the middle? The room next door is occupied by a deceased woman in a casket. A local philanthropist (Leonard Gianadda) donated several million dollars for its construction in 2019 and is owned by the town of Martigny. 

What's with this wall and several life-size statues on pedestals?  Closer inspection reveals they're Roman emperors. 

The wall secures an amphitheater built by the Romans. Restored in 1978 it now gets used for cow fighting. Yep, you heard me right as I've seen cow fighting in Switzerland ---featuring female cows--not bulls. 

Right next door to the Roman amphitheater I find this unusual complex.

Barryland? What's with the St. Bernard dog statues?

Turns out I've stumbled across a brand new theme park-- with the theme--you guessed it--St. Bernard dogs.

Barryland opened a few months ago. Why the Barry name? Back in the 17th century monks in a hospice at the Great Bernard Pass bred the dogs for rescue missions. The most famous dog was Barry 1 (1800-1812) credited with saving over 40 people.

Martigny is where you catch the road taking you over the mountain (Great Bernard Pass) to Italy.

Plenty of souvenirs can be had here.

I talked to a father with two young girls who were leaving and asked his opinion. "It's okay--very expensive".

The dogs can't be petted. You can see them behind glass enclosures or outside behind fences.

This is the outside area which is pretty much a play area like you see at any public park. No rides.

Entry costs 23 Swiss francs ($28) for an adult and 15 Swiss francs ($18) for kids age 6-20.  

Old town area of Martigny.

This tree-lined street runs through downtown Martigny.

Aigle, Switzerland (UCI, golf, castle)

 

I'm making my way to Aigle but stop in Monthey's town center to admire the covered wooden bridge (built 1809).

Monthey, population 16,000, stopped allowing vehicles on the bridge many years ago and is now reserved for pedestrians and cyclists with their bikes.

Here's another view of bridge.

Having visiting hundreds and hundreds of castles over the years I'm disappointed in Monthey castle.  Why? It's on an elevated position in Monthey's center but, nobody can see it as it's surrounded by other buildings. This is the entrance.

Can't get a faraway picture as the castle is squished in. Usually castles are up on a hill or occupying a prime spot where it's visible. When it was built in the 13th century Monthey castle had no problem "sticking out" as it lorded over the area. Now it's surrounded by buildings and isn't visible from below. 

Here's a backside view of Monthey castle. It's been owned by the town since the 1900's and is used for cultural events. 

This is the view from above Monthey castle.

I've been to Aigle (population 7,000) many, many times but, have never been to UCI's World Cycling Center. Union Cycling International (UCI) is the world governing body for sports cycling. It's not too hard to find as I follow the bicycles. 

This one stands at a roundabout.

This one points me in the right direction.

Two more bikes at a roundabout. The large building in the background is UCI's indoor velodrome.  

This last bike takes me to the UCI's headquarters. 

View of structure housing velodrome.

BMX bike training course.

The whole complex was built in 2002 with UCI's offices connected to the velodrome.

Here's the track where cyclists go round and round. The blue middle part is used by the Swiss  Gymnastic Federation for training --trampolines are wheeled out. For something like $70 newbies to track cycling can receive an introduction course to use the track (they furnish a bike). 

It seats about 600. See the table with white cloth? The place can be rented out for a variety of reasons. Actually a business is having a luncheon today: cocktails here followed by food in a full scale restaurant--open to the public.

About 20 years ago I visited the outdoor velodrome in Lausanne (it has now been closed for years). Nobody was around so I took my bike (loaded down with four panniers) and did a few laps around the track. It was pretty cool and scary going up and down the elevated track. 

The training center is used by all kinds of bikers. 

Good place to practice your craft. 

The World Cycling Center complex backs up to the Rhone river. A nice paved road (restricted to cyclists and pedestrians) runs along the river bank. 

Leaving the velodrome and heading back to central Aigle I unexpectedly come across Montreux Golf club. This year the club is celebrating 125 years. Founded by English tourists the 18 hole course is pretty much flat as a pancake.  

Though private, it's open to the public. The funny part of this: the town of Montreux lies several towns away--about 10 miles.  

Usually the course would have great views of the Alps but, it's an overcast day. Trivia: Switzerland is home to about 100 golf courses--with two thirds being 18 holes. The USA? Over 16,000.

Aarberg, Switzerland (Rolex and covered wooden bridge)

I'm in the German-speaking part of central Switzerland. French is the language in southern Switzerland, German is the language in northern and central Switzerland with the eastern part of Switzerland being Italian-speaking. 

Cycling through Nidau's town center I pass Nidau castle.  

Dating back to the 13th century, Nidau castle is the administrative center for the area.

Used to be three of these round medieval towers guarding Nidau castle. 

Passing through Tauffelen (population 3,000) I come across a large complex of buildings smack in the middle of town. Hmmm, what does Laubscher do? 

There's another similar-size large Laubscher building behind this green glass structure. This family-owned business has 240 employees and its expertise has expanded.

Laubscher got its start back in 1846 manufacturing watch screws for the watch industry but has diversified into manufacturing precision turned parts for the medical technology industry. 

I've mentioned (many times) spending two summers visiting more than 130 watch and watch related companies. I learned only a very few watch manufacturers are vertical integrated. Parts are outsourced or contracted out. Switzerland is famous for precision tools and this is a prime example of that. On the company's website I count six family members working here. 

The watch world is a very secretive industry and I'm 100% sure if I were to go inside and ask for names of some of the watch companies they supply watch screws Laubscher would decline to answer. Since it's Sunday I guess I'll never know.  

As a side story. I know Zenith is a vertical integrated watch manufacturer. You would think Rolex, the Goliath in the industry would also be fully vertical integrated but I read they still outsource several watch parts.

Another side story. Have you noticed Rolex seems to be the official sponsor of just about everything? Jeez, tennis, golf, yachting, motor sports, equestrianism. Principal sponsor of opera houses, concert recitals, mountain expeditions and it goes on and on. How is this possible?

Hans Wilsdorf (1881-1960) founded Rolex. Wilsdorf had no kids and his wife died. In 1960 the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation was created and given 100% ownership of the company.  So, with no heirs, estimates of 90% of the immense profits from Rolex are plowed back into the company---with vast amounts being spent on marketing, advertising and sponsorships.  

Headquartered in Geneva (where Rolex is located) the secretive foundation is limited to doing things in the Geneva area. The foundation was recently in the news for buying another hotel (they've now bought three 2 or 3 star hotels) to house homeless in the area. The foundation also gave millions for a new bridge in Geneva. 

 

Cycling through little farming villages I see Autumn goodies are available.

Lots of color.

Jeez, I go down the road a bit and see more roadside stands. It's the honor system where you put money in a lock box.

I'm waiting for the light to change so I can cycle over the covered wooden bridge into Aarberg's town center.

The wooden covered bridge dates back to 1568.

This is part of Aarberg's huge town square. That's Aarberg castle on the right. It dates back to the 13th century and is now Aarberg's (population 3,900) town hall. 

Part of Aarberg's town square. 

Still part of Aarberg's town square. 

Well I gotta check out this conditorei (pastry shop). 

It's big and the seating area in the rear is packed.  

Closer look at some of the goodies.

If you can read the names--most of the mousse sweets contain alcohol. The cappuccino mousse cup on the right contains cognac. I make quick work of the liqurer mousse cup in the rear behind the kiwi/banana cups.

View of the covered wooden bridge from the Aare river.

On the edge of Aarberg I come across this massive factory complex. What is it?

This place makes sugar. It's owned by Schweizer Zucker AG and has been here since 1912. What's in the rail cars? Sugar beets. The fall season is harvest time and over 1.5 million tons of sugar beets will be processed here. The place runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The facility is gigantic and takes 15 minutes to cycle around the perimeter of the property. That giant pile of brown things are sugar beets. 

Leaving Aarberg I pass a roundabout. It took me a minute to figure out what the heck is occupying the center of this prime spot. It's the lowly sugar beet, the vegetable responsible for being the town's biggest employer for more than 100 years.