Design

It seems that not only are things better organised, maintained better, less bureaucratic, cleaner and friendlier here, but there also seems to be an organised and holistic approach to design and planning. Roads for example: the tarmac is well laid, the drains and manhole covers fit and don't get clogged, there are no potholes, signs are generally clear and well placed (no overkill) as are crossings. New houses and apartments fit seamlessly between old ones, and even modern style buildings do not seem out of place. Even the graffiti (see photo) seems of a higher class.

One thing I really like is the adherence to shutters. Every window in town seems to have a shutter in front of it. This is something I have seen in Paris, but only now I'm living in a flat with shutters can I see the benefits and question why there is no tradition of shutters in the UK (apart from to prevent shops getting JJB'ed). They prevent a considerable loss of heat through the windows, negate the need for curtains, add security and look a bit like eyelids on some houses. What's not to like? Is it the obsession with 'double glazing' and fancy curtains that has prevented a shutter industry in the UK?

Jobless Whatshisname

In trying to translate a document from Immigration the word for residence failed, leaving me with 'Jobless whatshisname' as the subject of this letter.

Other events of interest in the past week are the purchasing of bin bags, a more momentous occasion than you might expect because here in Switzerland you have to buy state bin bags in order to be able to put out your rubbish, and in order to keep taxes down these are charged at a premium (in our Canton about 2CHF each) and must be asked for at the counter - they cannot be left on the shelves as apparently they keep getting nicked! So things you don't have to ask for over the counter in Switzerland: guns, hardcore pornography and euthanasia. Things you do: bin bags.
Incidentally the denial of genocide and other crimes against humanity is an imprisonable offense while viewing child pornography on the Internet is not a criminal offense in Switzerland. Not sure what would happen if you tried shooting at a bin bag full of child porn while shouting that the Iraq war never happened and pumping your elderly relatives full of morphine.

Shopping part 2: More genius differences between UK and Swiss supermarkets.
Do you remember Kwik-Save? Not only did they spell Quick with a K but they used to have a bench a little way away from the checkout where you could sort and pack you shopping at leisure, they even provided cardboard boxes to put it in. I always loved that idea, much better than the harry and rush to thrust your tins on top of your tomatoes in bags that split as soon as you lift them. Well Migros have an even better idea. Not only do they not provide plastic bags even if you ask (they only sell heavy duty reusable ones ) but they still have the checkout divider bar - you know in Sainsbury's they used to have these before the conveyor belts so that 2 people could pack their shopping simultaneously- not only that but there is a large table about 20ft long behind the checkouts where you can not only sort and pack your shopping, but there is a plastics recycling bin so you can dispose of all your extraneous packaging so you don't need to take it all home only to have to take it to the recycling bin later. Genius. Where did we go so wrong in the UK?

Volksbad

Public swimming baths. Something of a local issue in my old hometown of Bridgwater in Somerset. I grew up with a huge outdoor lido with three pools and a high diving platform. Ok it was built in 1960 as a replacement for the Victorian baths but it was awesome. The council sold the land to Safeway in 1990 and bulldozed the site to build a shopping centre, replacing the lido with a single 'theme' type pool in an open glass house type building. It had slides and rapids but no soul, and was known for the paedophiles drilling holes in toilet doors. This has also recently been pulled down to make way for a Tesco's. No replacement has been built, and those who wish to swim must travel 10 miles to the nearest pool. Was there any need to build supermarkets on these sites? No. Plenty of out of town areas for that. It could be argued that the Council simply wanted some income from the land and jobs from the stores rather than a pool that drains resources. What they miss (and missed when the original baths were pulled down) is that these recreation facilities are what makes a community. It gives kids something to do that does not involve breaking into JJB sports. The buildings themselves are heritage sites that give communities a sense of identity. When they are replaced by Tesco's and Morisson's what do you have left? A choice of similar prices and products and nothing to do.
The Swiss seem to understand this basic principle, that it is better to hold onto your heritage and encourage community spirit and recreation (rather than consumption) and their Victorian Volksbad is in fine fettle. Proof that such places can be renovated and restored and kept operational. Such a great little place, with real atmosphere and echos of the past all around - see the Gothic statue in the centre of the picture. Here such places persist while in the UK they are consigned to history, bulldozed by the unstoppable progress of the supermarket. More on this later...