Rheinfähre

In Basel there a four little ferries that go back and forth across the Rhine. One of them, the Leu, goes from below the Münster to the opposite bank, over here in Kleinbasel. Yesterday we took it before walking along the river to come home. It was so cool. Especially because they are powered solely by the river- the angle of the rudder is changed to push the boat back and forth, dragging it along a cable suspended above the water. I want to go again!

Die Wohnungsjagd ist Vorbei

Today I spent the day in Bern(e), but more on that later...

... I recieved an e-mail asking me if I wanted to be the new housemate in a WG I viewed last weekend. I have said yes.
I feel so relaxed right now. The whole stress of finding a room has just been lifted.

Anyway, I need to finish my celebratory beer and hit the hay. It seems I sometimes teach on Saturdays...

Basler Mehlsuppe

Some of you may know that I'm a fan of the old Beutelsuppe, so I was more than happy to give not only a new taste of soup, but one that is also related to my new home a try this afternoon. According to a new guidebook I bought today, it's traditionally served during the Basler Fasnacht, which is the city's carneval. Unfortunately, a soup made mainly from roasted wheat didn't really taste very nice, so I doubt I'll be giving this another go.

In other news, I bought my rail card today, giving me half-price fares and free travel after seven p.m. Also got my ticket to go off to Bern tomorrow for the induction day. It cost about 18 francs, which I think is quite bargainous, though I do have to catch a train at half seven tomorrow morning... not looking forward to that too much.

Also, seems I can't register, but today I went into a bank and asked what I'd need to open an account, and it seems I only need a passport. I will double check this, but it'd be great if it was true.

Week One

I arrived in Basel on Saturday and have spent my time variously eating, sleeping, drinking beer and viweing rooms. Still not got anything permanent but have a room for September (which I'm sat in now) so I feel a lot more relaxed about this whole venture.

First day of work was today- it went well. Staff seem nice and the school is easy to find your way around. Also discovered that I don't need a housing contract to get a residency permit. So I can go and register tomorrow and get an account set up over at the Basler Kantonalbank and wait for my monies to come trickling in.

It's so hot today.

To quote the dame...

"It's all just a little bit of history repeating"

So tomorrow's the 'big move'. I'm a little bit nervous and scared but overwhelmingly excited for the next ten months. I guess this is also where this blog actually comes in to its own?

Das Wetter

When M and I were in Basel on the rather fruitless househunting holiday the weather was scorching hot and despite spending most of my time sheltering from it under trees, I came back with a bit of one of those tan things. Though it did mean that I got to spend the evenings drinking beer by the Rhine. Fortunately it seems to have cooled down a bit there now, though. I did read that Basel has some of the hottest weather in Switzerland... I wonder what it'll be like in the winter. I'm hoping for a bit of snow. Not too much, just a light dusting. For photos and stuff, obviously.
I'm sure it's not only the English who talk so much about the weather..?

The date of arrival is coming ever closer. I am flying from Gatwick to Basel on the 28th. 'Til then, I'll be living it up in London town.