Last Thursday we left Alsace and headed to Basel, Switzerland, with a lunch stop at Titisee-Neustadt in the Black Forest of Germany. Our first impression of Basel was the crazy pedestrians and bicyclists, they cross and cut in and out with seeming little concern for cars. As a driver it was up to me, with Tricia’s frequent Attention!, to avoid them. We adjusted and ended up loving the town.
Of course my first morning was coffee and sketching. I found the Confiserie-Bachmann on Blumenrain street, near the Rhine; I settled in for a coffee and a sketch
We visited the botanical garden, always a favorite stop on our travels. this garden was quite old. We were a bit surprised to find a sequoia that had been brought from California a couple hundred years ago. I found a bench in the shade (it was quite hot – 90F), a friendly gardener to chat to, and an interesting plant to sketch.
The next morning I was back at the same place for coffee – I did a sketch for the server.
Later Tricia and I stopped for an afternoon repast, complete with a lavender plant on the table.
From Basel we drove about an hour to the small, somewhat industrial town of Willisau. In the morning I went for coffee at the sports bar on the ground floor of where were were staying, yes it opened at 0630 for coffee, and for beer for a couple of obviously regular patrons. I sketched the fields on the hill while sipping my cappuccino and listening to the bells worn by the cows and the goats.
The next day we went to Luzern, and we are so glad we did. It is beautiful city, crowded, but well worth it. I stood on a bridge in the hot sun and sketched, of course.
This is the Chapel Bridge.
Monday we left Switzerland and headed home, stopping again at the median point of Troyes in France – one last morning sketch before the drive home.
It was good seeing family, and adding two new countries to our list, but it is good to be home for a bit. Last July was quite hot in Normandie, but this week has been quite comfortable in the 70s. Hope your summer is going well, and whatever adventures you find yourself on I trust you enjoy them, and please try a sketch.
theTravelsketcher 
These are wonderful
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, long way from Chicago.
LikeLike
Oh, wow, you are so gifted! I am so happy to have found your blog. It’s a new favorite! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, I am honored to have you following.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful sketches!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wish I could draw like that! Wonderful way to record memories
LikeLiked by 1 person
You could sketch I am sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not like that (sadly)
LikeLiked by 1 person
When you are ready for a lesson, let me know, ils sont un cadeau.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s such a kind offer, thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Check some of my tips for sketchers posts, I have some very intro tips included.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll check those out, thanks
LikeLike
Lucerne is such a beautiful city – stunning. Fantastic sketches.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our time was short, but I sure liked what we saw.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh man, Travel Sketcher… Each and all of these sketches are fantastic. Absolutely beautiful. I can’t pick my favorite!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lisa, I did have a good week of sketching, a lot of fun and meeting some nice people, that is what it is all about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You obviously had a wonderful trip in Switzerland and your sketches are absolutely gorgeous!
You suggest that we should try sketching ourselves. My dear husband is very creative, our walls are filled with paintings he made, he creates whatever he wants and he believes that if someone else has done it, he can do it too. I myself may be good at other things. Although right now I’m painting a small wooden bird feeder that I bought the other day. I paint it red, white and black, but the colors kind of smudge together, not to mention on my hands, maybe because I’m left-handed. Haha.. no, I don’t think so. But I believe that some people have a talent that maybe others don’t. Although, of course, you never know if you never try. Thanks from Cyprus!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did travelsketching workshops for people who said they “weren’t artistic.” I told people forget about creating art, just capture the moment, even with just a line or two. So I bet you could do more than you think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems I was interrupted every time I sat down to comment on this posting. What I needed was the serenity I get when looking at your lovely sketch of those very green hills and tall Evergreen trees punctuated by the red chalet or farm building; all so perfectly Switzerland! I was reminded of a time when I was working in Germany and went with a group of friends to stay the weekend in an ‘apartment’ in a Swiss chalet. I woke at 5 and went out to the balcony on my own to just drink in the green view outlined by mountains and–just as you described–listened to the distant clinging of cow bells at the cows grazed in the early morning. I remember it as the most idyllic moment ever. Thanks for sharing your journey and your sketches. And by the way, I am a major fan of your lavender sketches. You have nailed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a morning that must have been. You are an early riser as am I, I think we early folks often get some tranquille times that others miss out on, coffee and Swiss bells being a perfect example. Have you and Jim watched the movie “Youth”? There is a beautiful scene with Michael Cain and Swill cowbells – so touching.
LikeLike
I love it when you show the sketch and the item being sketched. Great job Terry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, it does give a nice context.
LikeLike