A Little Windy on the Lake

Deborah Kade
23 hours ago
7 min read

Saw this poster on the wall by the Spiezer Winery, as we walked through Spiez. Yes, life is short so share your passion.

What unique dandelion sculptures in the roundabout in Spiez.

Dandelions are common wild plants known for bright yellow flowers and fluffy white seed heads. While often treated as garden weeds, they provide early spring food for bees and have edible leaves and roots.

"Dandelions are generally good for you as a nutrient-rich food source, but they can pose risks if gathered from contaminated areas or if consumed by people with specific health conditions or medication interactions.

The Good (Benefits)

High in Nutrients: Every part of the plant contains vitamins A, C, and K, plus minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium.
Antioxidants: They contain active plant compounds that help reduce cell damage and fight inflammation.
Digestion and Support: The roots contain inulin, a prebiotic fiber that supports healthy gut bacteria, and the leaves act as a natural diuretic.

The Bad (Risks and Downsides)

Pesticides and Toxins:
Yard dandelions may absorb weed killers, car exhaust, or animal waste, making them unsafe to pick raw from the ground.
Allergies: People who are allergic to daisies, marigolds, ragweed, or chrysanthemums often react badly to dandelions.
Medication Conflicts: They can react poorly with blood thinners, water pills, lithium, and diabetes drugs by altering blood sugar or causing electrolyte imbalances."

"In love and relationships, a dandelion symbolizes faithful affection, enduring strength, and a connection that survives distance. Unlike roses that show fiery passion, dandelions represent a gentle, cheerful, and resilient love that can grow and thrive in unexpected places."

Spiez Castle and Castle Church

"According to Elogius Kiburger, the author of the Strättliger Chronicle, in 933 the King of Burgundy, Rudolph II, built the castle. Shortly thereafter, the Freiherr von Strättligen settled in the castle. Portions of the current castle curtain walls and main tower were built during the 12th century and by the 13th century, the town of Spiez existed outside the castle walls. By 1280 the castle was listed as an Imperial fief under Vogt Richard de Corbières. In 1289 the Freiherr von Strättligen was co-owner of the castle along with a succession of other noble families. In 1308 King Albert I of Habsburg was murdered at Windisch on the Reuss, by his nephew Duke John Parricida. As part of their retaliation for the murder, the Habsburgs withdrew half of the Spiez fief from Thüring von Brandis and granted the whole fief to Johannes von Strättligen. Thirty years later, in 1338, Johannes sold the castle, town, church, and surrounding villages to Johann II von Bubenberg who was the Schultheiss of Bern. By 1340, the Bubenberg-appointed vogt took orders from Bern but was obligated to raise troops for the Habsburgs. As Bern was de facto independent from their former overlords, the Habsburgs, this created an unstable situation that remained for over 40 years. After the Bernese and Swiss Confederation victory over the Habsburgs in the Battle of Sempach in 1386, the Habsburgs gave up their land claims west of the Aare, which included Spiez.

Wedding in the Castle Church

Rent the Castle Church for your wedding CHF 790 for one hour, including an assistant, castle organ (without organist), waiting room, church decorations, preparation and clean-up work, wedding bell rung by hand, information and on-site inspection.

Season: May - October (the church is very cold in the winter months and cannot be heated)

Fridays & Saturdays: a maximum of 2 weddings are possible (time slot 1 & time slot 2)

The Castle Church can be booked on all days of the week

Saturday weddings: bookings of the church with aperitif possible at any time, bookings of the church without aperitif possible from 7 months before the wedding date

Church decorations in green / white (boxwood & bouquets), deluxe versions can also be booked

Max. 140 guests (ideally 120 or fewer guests)

Electricity available / technical equipment must be brought along

The church does not belong to a parish; bring your own pastor or wedding celebrant

Same-sex marriages possible

Ceremonies can also be held in the Park (max. 60 guests) (with rainy weather in the Castle Church)

Note: no releasing of balloons (due to the trees and roofs)

Spiez Castle is officially one of the most beautiful wedding venues in Switzerland: Award 2022 & 2023: Swiss Location Award®

I assume the bride and groom will drive off in this vehicle.

The groom couldn't stop smiling as he waited to walk and enter the church.

Beautiful day for a wedding

Reception area

The middle section of the dress just sparkled in the sunlight.

The veil kept slipping down.

The Niesen

The Niesen is a mountain peak of the Bernese Alps in the Canton of Bern. The summit of the mountain is 2,362 meters (7749 feet) in elevation.

"99 Luftballons is a song by the West German band Nena from their 1983 self-titled album. In German, "99 Luftballons" translates literally to "99 air balloons" (or 99 balloons). It is the title and core phrase of the famous 1983 anti-war pop song by the German band."

The vineyards surround the hilltops.

We stopped at the Spiezer Winery store and bought a bottle of white wine. The saleswoman told us they will start harvesting the grapes next week as the sugar level high which is right for picking.

"In Spiez, the landscape changes from Mediterranean to alpine within a few meters. If the scenery on the lake in some places almost seems to the south, the rugged rock of the Niesen, the Spiezer local mountain, already dominates behind it. And in between are the vineyards of the cooperative Spiez, whose name is «Alpine wine culture» also program. “Because like the mountains that we always have in sight in our work, so our wines should also have their corners and edges. Those who appreciate our wines love the challenge in the glass," says Ursula Irion. The 52-year-old winemaker came to Lake Thun in 2003 and today brings an unreservedly impressive range of wines into the bottle with her team."

"The dynamics in the company are also evident from specialties such as the cider from old Bernese apple varieties, which is fermented in the barrique. Or the «Cuvée vabene», a PétNat made of Gewürztraminer and Riesling-Sylvaner. Another extremely innovative and characterful top wine is the Sauvignac. The mushroom-resistant variety has the potential to become the white lead variety in Spiez. The classics still dominate in terms of quantity. The «Spiezer mountaineer» developed in large wooden barrels as well as the barrique selection proves that the Pinot Noir succeeds perfectly. And with their Riesling Sylvanian, the Spiezers even won the corresponding category at last year's Grand Prix du Vin Suisse."

"It is a strong sign that the team is also successful with varieties of which it is no longer completely convinced. Because the annual rainfall of 1200 millimeters per year and square meter is not always optimally distributed, the Riesling-Sylvaner harvest is often decimated by mildew and rot. The resistant varieties, on the other hand, work very well with ever improving quality. “That’s why my stated goal is to achieve such prestigious events in the medium term with Sauvignac, Souvignier Gris or Cabernet Jura,” emphasizes Ursula Irion."

"The high altitudes of 500 to 600 meters above sea level, in which the Spiezer grapes ripen, are ideal for growing balanced wines. The cool nights also help. The frequent Föhn constellations, on the other hand, which cause the sugar levels to rise in a few days, are no longer as appreciated as they used to be. “We don’t really need this maturity turbo anymore. What we are aiming for is a slower vegetation cycle and a late harvest," she says. Also with regard to the soils sometimes counter-tax must be given. Because the clay-containing brown soil on the glacial sling of Aare and Kander releases a lot of water and nitrogen. The resulting growth is now specifically reduced with weak-growing underlay vines and methods of regenerative agriculture."

The team knows what it wants. His vision is aimed at an alpine wine-growing ecotope with appropriate fauna and flora. The masonry pepper grows on the approximately seven kilometers of dry stone walls, built of local carbonate and sandstones. And the Apollo butterfly is also native here. But effectively advancing a unique ecosystem can only be achieved with the cultivation of fungal-resistant varieties. The concept formulated by Ursula Irion and her team is equally based on high wine quality and sustainable cultivation. The most important sponsors of this cultural property are the 130 shareholders, the actual owners of the cooperative Rebbau Spiez."

We decided to walk down to the lake and take the boat back to Interlaken.

Leaving the dock .

Look first at the suspension bridge in Sigriswil .

7 highlights of the Sigriswil Suspension Bridge

The pedestrian suspension bridge in Sigriswil offers a fantastic view of Lake Thun and the Niesen. In the background, you can also see the Mönch, Eiger, and Jungfrau mountains.

With a length of 340 meters (1115 ft), this bridge ranks among the longest of its kind in the world.

A visit to the bridge pairs perfectly with short or longer hikes.

The journey to the bridge by post bus or on foot from Gunten or Merligen is already very pleasant.

The suspension bridge is famous as a filming location for the Korean series "Crash Landing on You".

At a height of 182 meters (597 feet), you'll find yourself nearly 1,000 m above sea level on the suspension bridge.The bridge and both connected locations are situated on a sunny slope.