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Eurovelo 15 - Day 8 - Rest Day in Basel

Firstly the big news ... Joel Wicki is the new “Schwingen King” of Switzerland. The 25-year-old triumphed in this weekend's national wrestling championships. The winner of the kid's downhill carting is as yet undetermined.

I slept in this morning before heading out to explore Basel on my rest day. Basel is a city of amazing galleries and museums and I was looking forward to seeing a few. The Kunstmuseum Basel began life as a private art collection in the 16th century. Interestingly, the museum has one of the most significant Picasso collections in Europe - in 1967, a local art collector, who owned two of Picasso's works, fell on hard times and needed to sell his collection that was on loan to the Kunstmuseum at the time.  The good folk of Basel were in uproar and took to the streets to collect donations and lobby the city to purchase the works.  8.4 million Swiss francs sealed the deal. Picasso was so impressed with the citizen's passion, he donated a further 4 paintings to the city! I was so looking forward to seeing the collection ... unfortunately I was to discover the museum (and most museums in the world) are closed on Mondays! By the time the museum reopens tomorrow, I'll be pedalling towards Strasbourg! 

To make matters worse my personal favourite, the Caricature & Cartoon Museum Basel, was also closed.

I used my now free morning to continue exploring the old town. It is on a hillside and comprises mainly narrow cobble-stoned streets and alleyways connected by stairs. These streets don't seem to have any obvious layout so it's easy to lose your way.  GPS and Google Maps aren't useful - GPS because the narrow streets make of hard to pick up a signal, and Maps because of the lack of detail. Not that any of this mattered, it was a relaxing and interesting wander.
 
 



Today and tomorrow will hit 30 degrees centigrade, warm by even Australian standards. I'm already thinking about tomorrow's ride and the need to get away early to beat the heat. 

A Swiss Chocolatier (chocolate shop) caught my eye and it was a perfect time for a break. I ordered a chocolate sorbet and a pilsner beer. The waitress gave me a weird look until I explained that I wanted them separately. The waitress still gave me a weird look ... I guess they don't have sorbet with beer chasers in this part of the world!
 
 
I've enjoyed Basel, although different as cities are from their rural and regional cousins. The old town has been able to somehow blend old and new in a harmony that works. As I peoplewatch, I hear street performers to my left and right.  One playing traditional Swiss German folk music on a piano accordion, the other a world-class cellist playing modern popular music for a watchful crowd. Seems about right!

I leave Switzerland for the last time tomorrow. My next fortnight will be crisscrossing the Rhine River, alternating between France and Germany. Thank you Switzerland, you have been a wonderful host. 
 
 
I'm doing this ride to raise funds for Blue Dragon Children's Foundation. I'm self-supported so all donations go directly to Blue Dragon. If you can give please do at ... https://au-bluedragon.givecloud.co/fundraisers/pedalling-for-a-purpose. Alternatively, go to Blue Dragon's website at bluedragon.org 

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Location: Basel, Switzerland

Comments

  1. Gill30 August 2022 at 19:07

    Just for the record Fulton, many museums are closed on Mondays throughout Europe, not just Basel!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FjS1 September 2022 at 11:42

      Thanks Gill. They are in Australia as well generally. Must be an international museum thing! Hope all well!

      Delete

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