2013-06-05 46 8

Location

Near Ingenbohl Abbey in Brunnen.

Participants

Plans

EC train leaving from Zurich, rail 5 at 5.09pm to Arth-Goldau, then IR at rail 5 to Brunnen, walk.

Expedition

Of all the places in the Lugano graticule, Brunnen was probably the one closest to Calamus. So when a hashpoint showed up there, he immediately decided to pursue it.

The fastest way from Zurich to Brunnen leads across Arth-Goldau, the place of Calamus's very first expedition. So he hopped onto the EuroCity train heading to Milan. European trains usually smell funny, but also have more interesting attendants, in this case a cute Italian, who actually returned to Calamus for chatting after checking the whole train.

Arth-Goldau was just like Calamus had left it three years ago. Lake Zug sparkled in the early summer sun, and Calamus actually regretted having to leave again after a few minutes. But this was not his destination today.

Brunnen is a town at the Vierwaldstättersee lake, and is most noteable for its abundant springs and having been the place of the Second And This Time Definitely Legally Valid Founding of the Swiss Confederacy in 1315. Right across the lake is the Rütli meadow, which is said to be the place of Switzerland's initial founding and therefore still has some importance to some people of a certain political spectrum. Yep, even progressive Switzerland still has some patriots and neo-nazis.

Calamus's target was right near the station: the Convent of Ingenbohl, the global headquarters (or Motherhouse) of the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross. The hashpoint was not in the convent itself, but at the foot of its access street. Calamus easily reached it and took his pictures.

It was a wonderful day to sit by the lake, so Calamus bought himself an excellent icecone (currant and stracciatella) and chilled out a little.

He considered spending the evening in Zug, but remembered he had still work to do. So it was back to Zurich.