So that was summer 2016. Schools start again this week here in N.E. Switzerland, so it’s back to the day job on Monday for me too. It wasn’t one of the best summers, weather-wise, but we managed to pack in a few trips and I have dozens of photos – here are some taken the day I visited the Tamina Gorge, which starts at Bad Ragaz.
It’s an easy walk. The path meanders up beside the river – all you can hear is water crashing down to your left as you go deeper into the gorge.
After an hour or so, you arrive at Alter Bad Pfäfers. Here, hunters discovered a thermal spring in 1240, and nearby monks found the hot water had a healing effect. Early visitors to the springs were lowered down the gorge (blindfold if they were nervous!), and then bathed in rocky pits for days at a stretch. Today, you can visit some of the later baths and guest rooms, and see the old kitchens and corridors.
From here, you can continue up the gorge, going right inside the mountain.
Down at the end, you turn into the spring area. I couldn’t take photos there because my camera kept misting up. It’s incredibly hot and humid – the water comes out at 36°C (that’s 97°F).
It was very impressive, if a touch claustrophobic – I was glad to get back to the sunshine!
It was a day to remember, and you can read more about the gorge here at My Switzerland.
Book News: watch out for the Ward Zero cover reveal next week!
linda huber 
How beautiful! Added to my “someday” list.
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It’s fabulous – I’ll come too!
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Brilliant images. The caves are straight out of the book I’m editing at the moment. I wish I could visit there and soak up the details!
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It’s very atmospheric – humid, heavy air and sparkly wet cave walls. You’d soak up more than the details, too – water drips on you continuously! I was glad I’d packed my rainjacket!
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Sounds brilliant, though not the wet part!
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At least it’s hot! 🙂
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Looks fantastic! How wonderful to walk inside the mountain.
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It was – and it’s a wide path, too, so it didn’t feel too closed in even though it was pretty dark. It’s fully wheelchair accessible, which is nice.
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Gorgeous pictures! The Tamina-Schlucht is very impressive. Another place to visit on my next stay in Switzerland.
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Try next year – the new bridge above the Schlucht should be open then. We’ll be able to look down on it from right above. I’m looking forward to that!
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I love reading about your corner of Switzerland – I had zero knowledge of it before (which is the case on so many subjects, I’m afraid!). The pictures inside the cave are simply stunning. Thanks, Linda.
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You’re welcome! That’s what I love about social media – we meet people from all over the world, and sometimes the connection sticks. Do you have a blog? Your US/UK life would make good reading; I’m sure you have plenty of bloggable tales to tell 🙂
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I must admit I’m sometimes tempted to have a blog but I have two rather prolific clients (I work from home as an audio typist) and their work doesn’t leave me enough time for writing as it is. I can’t wait for your next book, by the way. Setting it in a hospital is such a great idea! I know you’re a physiotherapist, Linda. I used to be the District Physio’s secretary at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital about 100 years ago!!
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How funny! Another connection. I’m an English teacher nowadays, but I like looking back on my physio jobs. I worked mainly with CP kids, which was brilliant but back-breaking, and at one point it was time to change. Think about the blog – when your book’s finished would be a good time to start.
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Stunning pictures Linda. When you said that your camera kept misting up it took me back to my visit to Victoria Falls, what looks like just a fine mist can quickly soak you to the skin!
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Thanks, Neats – I can imagine! This was a distictly drippy, dampening experience too. I was glad I had one of those jackets you can fold up to nothing in my bag!
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