Claudine & Urs near Basel Switzerland

Day 75/76 Switzerland 5/6

Travelled: 111km from St Blaise to Aesch near Basel Switzerland to visit Claudine and Urs.

It was a wet morning as we waved farewell to Hans. It is always hard to say goodbye but we must continue our journey. 

We pass the church where my parents married. 

Then we had another beautiful drive along the non toll roads. If you want to drive on the toll roads you must purchase a vignette (CHF40/1 month). As we weren’t planning to travel much in Switzerland we chose not to purchase one as the other roads are very good and you get to drive through some lovely countryside and villages.

Two and a half hours later we arrived in Aesch, just south of Basel, to spend the weekend with Claudine, a daughter of my godfather Gilbert. Along with her partner Urs, we had a great couple of days.

We went to have a look at Claudine’s garden where she grows a numerous variety of vegetables and fruit, which we sampled for lunch and dinner. 

We had a walk in the near by hills to Arlesheim village. The hermitage is the largest English landscape garden in Switzerland created during the late 1700’s.

We strolled to a small lake then up to Birseck Castle, built in the 1200’s it has a been uninhabited since the 1793 but some sections can now be visited. 

On the way down we had a look at Apollogrotte a section of a cave system. 

We returned to enjoy a BBQ dinner on the balcony with lovely views.

The next day we went to Augusta Raurica, the remains of a Roman city that once had a population of over 10,000. Founded in 44BC, it was strategically located along the River Rhine. By the 8th century it had undergone numerous changes and destruction to become a small fishing village. Over 30 monuments have been discovered and conserved.. the theatre, the forum (town hall).

We were able to walk in the subterranean well house connected to the bath house.

We played some Roman games.

 And had a look at the bread oven. 

During the summer period various workshops are available. We paid CHF5 each to make our own tooth power. The gentleman running the workshop was very informative and told us about a specific women they found buried in a lead lined coffin that persevered her clothes and vials inside.

Although there was more to discover, the heat of the day pressed us on to Rheinfelden, a village on the Rhine River that is also the home to Feldschlosschen, the most popular beer in Switzerland. 

We refreshed ourselves with an ice cream and of course the local brew. We then walked across the bridge towards Germany but turned off just before onto a small island where we enjoyed a dip in the river. 

We then had a wonderful evening with Gilbert and Gabi over a delicious meal at the local Pizza Restaurant.