June 25th, 2008
Just a quick post because I came across this semi-HDR shot of Geneva airport and really liked it.
If you’re entering Switzerland by plane, you’re much more likely to come in via Zurich, as it’s so much bigger, with many inter-continental connections.
But Geneva is really useful for skiing holidays, in particular for some of the French Alpine resorts, and quite a few European carriers fly there.
However, it must be said that the airport doesn’t run with the Teutonic efficiency of it’s bigger brother and has a more provincial feel. Don’t count on delays, but don’t be surprised.
And don’t expect the slick shops and restaurants, stainless steel and leather that abound at ZRH, best to buy that watch before you get to the airport and claim the tax back, rather than rely on Duty Free.
Also you won’t see cows or Heidi at the airport - if you’ve been on the train to Terminla E at Zurich, you’ll know what I mean!
Photo: Flickr maistora
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By Geoff -- 0 comments
June 24th, 2008
Was that the most boring game you’ve ever seen?
Two great footballing nations: Think Real Madrid and Barcelona; AC Milan and Juventus. And all the rest…
I really feel sorry for the people that paid for tickets. So many games in the EM have been entertaining but that was dire.
I watched the BBC coverage of the game, and the most entertaining part was the irony of the commentary. At half time they showed a feature on the old Orsoin Welles film noir The Third Man. To which Gary Lineker responded: You know the football must be rubbish when we get more worked up about a fifty year-old film…
Exactly.
If you want to get an idea of the match, just look at the photo above, a bunch of men standing around. Now imagine watching it for 90 minutes!
Extra time was more entertaining admittedly, and penalties are always tense. But let’s hope German and Russia manage to play as the did in the quarter finals.
And provide us with some proper entertainment.
Photo: Flickr - Alexollon
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By Geoff -- 0 comments
June 23rd, 2008
There’s little doubt that one of the highligts of the EM has been the support for (and by) the Dutch.
That peaked in Basel on Saturday night and it would be remiss not to document it a bit more.
One particular page on Flickr has a great series of pictures, some of which I’m showing here. Thanks to RNW for these.
If you’re curious about what else went on in Basel, why not take a trip over to RNW’s photostream (see link below)
In the meantime, we have two semi-finals and a final to look forward to. Let’s hope they provide as much entertainment as the football so far!
Photos: Flickr RNW
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By Geoff -- 0 comments
June 22nd, 2008
Orange. Or Oranje if you are that way inclined.
At least, it was on Saturday night. Hordes of crazy Dutch and Pseudo-Dutch (you know who you are Jonathan) invaded the city.
Actually the city was probably a cross between orange and green, as separating Dutch people from beer is nigh on impossible. And, as far as the EM is concerned, beer is green. Well, the cans are…
Sadly
the Dutch were knocked out by a very on-form Russia, which will no doubt mean it’s a lot less fun from now on.
Finally, a few more afros for Kristie, who seems to like that sort of thing…
See, all you have to do is leave a few comments, and your dreams come true!
Photos Flickr: mmundi jajoma knallaerbse
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By Geoff -- 1 comment
June 20th, 2008
OK I’m cheating here, as this picture was taken in Germany. But I like it.
What a great match that was yesterday, everything that was good about football, and a few of the bad bits as well.
Maybe the Portuguese should have dealt with the two set pieces, but on the whole Germany deserved to win.
And so one of the main favourites is no longer in the tournament. But there’s still Holland, Italy and Germany. And who is going to write off Croatia?
It’s definitely getting to the interesting stage now!
Tomorrow, Basel will be decked out in Orange. So I’ll probably be on the lake in Zurich…
Photo: Flickr fun3MD
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By Geoff -- 2 comments
June 20th, 2008
I’m trying to get a bit away from the football at the moment, so I’m also looking at featuring some of the ultimate destinations in Switzerland.
The Matterhorn is pretty much the symbol of Switzerland. It inspired Toblerone, and the Paramount logo is said to be based on it.
It’s a real mountain’s mountain. And this shot above shows just how majestic it is.
It’s quite usual for the mountain to have a tiny bit (or even a lot) of cloud around the top. I’m sure a geologist could explain it, but I don’t really need to know why.
At sunrise, you can get quite strange effects as the light begins to move down the face of the mountain…
…or in the late afternoon, with the moon visible.
and finally, a black and white shot. Doesn’t that look like history?
Photos: Flickr - Ryan Valdez, swisscan ianL icyBlue bas il
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By Geoff -- 2 comments
June 19th, 2008
Tuesday night was Italy against France in Zurich.
The clever money (ie mine) was on Holland fielding none of their best players and Romania beating them, which would mean the result of the big duel would actually be irrelevant. But The Dutch reserves were so good that that didn’t happen.
And so it was a straight fight between the two 2006 World Cup finalists. And like many big matches, it was dull.
Admittedly I was being plied with free beer and there was some very pleasant company, but the game was dull.
That didn’t stop the Italians celebrating though, driving through the city streets, horns blaring.
Sometimes I think I don’t have a soul. I was thinking OK, you won, but you played badly and beat a team with 10 men and one of their best players carried off in the first ten minutes.
Maybe I paid too much attention at school when they were doling out lessons on how to be British: “It’s not whether you win or lose that counts, it’s how you play the game”.
And actaully qualifying to play the game in the first place perhaps? Avanti Azzurri!
Photos: Flickr: stefan0, nico3000
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By Geoff -- 6 comments
June 18th, 2008
Just a few pics from L_K_M giving a bit of the party atmosphere. The first is looking out over the Fanzone at Sechsaläutenplatz.
The neatly lit Grossmunster in the background.
And a couple of nice shots of the bridge from Bürkliplatz to Bellevue.
Photos: Flickr - L_K_M
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By Geoff -- 2 comments
June 18th, 2008
Based on the popularity of my previous post on the subject, I thought it only right to play to the audience and deliver some further views of the wondrous Chateau Chillon. The first shot, above, was taken on one of those lovely days where the mountains seem to come so much closer. The Dents du Midi, near the skiing resort of Champery, are visible here.
This shot shows just what amazing skies can be seen, although I suspect a bit of filtering or photoshopping has taken place. Whatever, it’s beautiful and a great shot.
It’s worth a trip in winter too. Old buildings look great with a light coating of frost, or even snow.
Just to show how civilized we Europeans are, take a look at this torture chamber… Hopefully not used any more, not even if you try to sneak in without paying.
I guarantee that if you go to Chillon, you will take a photo like this. Assuming you remember your camera of course…
This last shot shows Chillon from Montreux. It’s a very pleasant walk along the lakeside, and if you get tired it’s easy to get a train, or boat, back.
Photos: Flichr Elizabeth Hollin thebmag Martin Burns Roland Hoffmann Francisco Antunes Pearbiter
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By Geoff -- 10 comments
June 17th, 2008
I don’t know why, but I really like this. OK, the photoshopping could be a bit neater, but what the heck?
A classic work of art, with an EM interpretation.
I wonder if Rodin’s model was contemplating his country being knocked out of a major football tournament?
The conventional wisdom is that Rodin was depicting the poet Dante contemplating his fate in front of the gates of hell, but having seen some of the sad faces round here after the Turkey match, I’m not so sure.
Still, at least we did better than Austria, our co-hosts. That seems to be the main reaction now.
And by the way, there is a Zurich connection for this post. The Gates of Hell, by M. Rodin is a large bronze sculpture, one cast of which stands outside the Kunsthaus and is well worth seeing. Closure. Geddit?
Photos: Flickr - wok111 xcaballe
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