Bern-Mittelland District

Well, the good news is I did have the dorm to myself, but the bad news is that I struggled to get to sleep until well into the early hours. It was probably due to the fact that I had not had any alcohol to assist the process. I still woke up at just after 7.00am.

The toilets and showers are spotless and well equipped. I went down to breakfast and the vast canteen was empty apart from the staff working. The relieved waitress told me that all the kids had been and gone. The breakfast buffet was well stocked with all the usual continental breakfast staples of meats and cheeses including homemade hummus and various vegan options. I had 4 slices of toast, then a large bowl of yoghurt & homemade muesli with 3 cups of coffee. By the end I felt quite sick.

I caught the 9.10am bus, which arrived dead on time with all the accuracy of a Swiss timepiece. The 7 minute bus ride dropped me off in Bahnhoff, in Bern City Centre. My walking route firstly took me past through Bundesplatz to the Bundeshaus, the Swiss Parliament Building. There was an opportunity to enter free of charge, but I didn’t think I could be bothered to go through all the security checks.

I then crossed the Aare River over Kirchenfeldbrucke into Museum & Foreign Embassy Land for a look only because all museums are closed on a Monday in Switzerland. I found the fairytale castle like Bern History Museum, the Museum of Communication, the Museum of Natural History, the Shooting Museum and the Alpine Museum.

I then followed the river into a park, where my heart nearly stopped when an elderly man let his long tailed Doberman off its lead. I loitered until a young mum pushing a pram got between us and then I bravely continued my park stroll.

At the other end of this park was Bear Park. With the assistance of a passing lady, I located the one and only brown bear lying in a concrete cave with just his head poking out. I sat down on a bench and waited for him to come out. It was a battle of wills which he won.

I gave up and continued following a footpath alongside the river. I reached Kornhausbrucke, where I shocked to see three middle aged women in bathing suits and hats climb down the steps and wallow in the river. I checked my phone and it gave the current air temperature as just 8 degrees. Feeling cold at the thought of it, I crossed the river and climbed up a very steep path back to the Old Town.

I then located Kunsthaus which was also closed, then I faithfully followed a recommended walking route of the Bern Old Town in my guidebook. I started on Speichergasse, turned right on to Waisenhausplatz, through the Barenplatz square, into Bundesplatz, down Marktgasse to Zytglogge, a clock tower which is Bern’s central landmark. The tower used to be used to imprison prostitutes. The astronomical clock was made in 1527-30 & contains mechanical figures including a bear & crowing cock, that begin their procession 4 minutes before the hour. After being described as elaborate chimes, I was severely underwhelmed by its chiming.

I then headed down Münstergasse to Münster St Vinzenz, Bern’s Gothic Cathedral. An intricate depiction of the Last Judgement fills the tympanum in the 15th-century central portal. The Cathedral was free to enter and signs reminded visitors that no photography was allowed. The first 3 people I saw were all simultaneously taking photos on their phones. Other visitors were also blatantly taking photos and in the end I joined them.

I continued down Gerechtig-Keitsgasse & then crossed the river back to the Bear Park. The brown bear was initially hiding in a hole he had dug, but my patience paid off & he took a leisurely stroll around his enclosure. In the end I got bored and left him to it.

I walked back over the bridge up Postgasse, Kramgasse and Zeughausgasse to complete my walking tour. I bought a bottle of fruit juice and caught the 2.30pm bus back to Hostel 77. My watch recorded that I had walked 8.34 miles.

Back in my room, I caught up with my blog, but sadly my peace and solitude was shattered by a noisy Italian who is staying in the same dorm as me and kept asking questions. He eventually went out. I lay on my bed and watched the 1st 2.5 episodes of Top Boy on Netflix. I think I’m now into it.

During the afternoon NMA posted on Facebook that tonight’s venue, Muhle Hunziken was going to be a cosy one and it was one of the quirkiest venues they had ever seen. I set off on my bike to the venue at 7.00pm. I was in the already packed converted flour mill by 7.30pm & found my self the perfect spot. I was stood next to stressed Dave the sound man, who had his mixing desk at the side of the stage.

The support band, Anger Management, seemed much more appealing to me tonight & Ceri Monger even came out & stood at the mixing desk to listen to a couple of their songs.

NMA came on early at just after 9.00pm & played their best set yet on this trip, despite Justin Sullivan apologising for losing his voice. The gig was just stunning, definitely helped by how intimate it was. Their performance of Idumea was mesmerising & it was clear that the band were really happy with how played that song.

I was able to see the whole band, stressed Dave and the other roadies throughout the performance. I spent the show studying how much tweaking Stressed Dave had to make to the volume of the instruments at the request of the band. Dave and a female roadie who was hidden out the back sang on a lot of the choruses, much to my surprise. The gig ended with No Rest, Poison Street & Get Me Out.

After the gig, I returned to the hostel arriving at 11.15pm to find the Italian asleep & a German man reading. I found the kitchen area & updated my blog.

Song of the Day - Bear by Armstrong

NMA Song of the Day - Idumea by New Model ArmyRead more