Pear Blossoms in Apple Country

April 9, 2017 -- Compared to last spring, we have had some pretty nice weather so far! Lots of sun, not too hot. Records show that the blossoms are out about two weeks earlier than normal for this time of year.

There is a lot of agriculture in Switzerland. The area where I live is known for its cherries, from which the renowned Zuger Kirsch (a cherry schnapps) is made. Blossoming trees are everywhere, and without a doubt, it is very very pretty.

But the part of Switzerland where most of the apples and pears are grown is in Canton Thurgau to the North near Lake Constance (Bodensee). The area has sported the nickname "Mostindien" since the late 19th Century, a reference to the popular cider (=Most) produced from a large part of the pear and apple harvest, combined with either the fact that the area vaguely resembles the shape of India, or a reference to the "East India" colonies (German=Ostindien) as opposed to the West Indies.... no one is really sure.

In any case, there are orchards in such abundance that at the height of the blossom season, the entire landscape apparently looks like it is covered in snow. Now, my having grown up on an apple orchard in the Okanagan in Canada, I am no stranger to the beauty of blossoming orchards, but this is apparently a spectacle to be experienced. Knowing we were one week too early for the full experience, we spent this past beautiful Sunday in the area anyway, as it is only two hours travel from home and a wonderful landscape for a 20-km Sunday afternoon walk... plus the giant old pear trees were blooming, which in itself was worth the trip.

Our tour started in the pretty village of Bischofszell (founded in < 919), then past a series of ponds in the Hauptwil Nature Reserve, to one of the oldest chapels in Switzerland, and then to the only moated castle in Eastern Switzerland (Hagenwil). Highlight of the trip was the ferry across the Sitter River, a 2-minute crossing offered by the property owners from April to October.... Had we done this hike just 10 days earlier, our trail would have simply ended there on the South Bank of the river, with our only option a 3-5 km detour!!! (or a very cold and wet crossing...)

Town of Bischofszell, founded by the Bishop of Konstanz in the early 10th Century.

Checking out the town of Bischofszell before heading on our 16 km hike.

Town of Bischofszell, founded by the Bishop of Konstanz in the early 10th Century.

A long but interesting 18-km hike in the Thurgau Region of Switzerland, starting in Bischofzell and ending in Amriswil

Walking from Bischofszell to Haupwil through orchard country.

Apple trees just like back home in Canada!

Switzerland's next generation of ski-archers...

Coming down into the community of Haupwil

I have never seen yellow magnolias before

Village tower and gate, Hauptwil, Switzerland

One of five ponds we passed on the Hauptwil Nature Reserve along the Thurgau Panorama Trail

The trail goes right up the the Sitter River, and the only way across is with a ferryboat available only from April to October.

The water wasn't very deep. Maybe we would have made it across on foot?

The owners of the riverfront property offer crossings every hour. We made it here with just one minute to spare for the 1 pm crossing

Not far from the river crossing is this old chapel (Degenau), one of the oldest in Switzerland, mid 12-century. The frescoes inside are so delicate that the chapel cannot be heated, for fear of damaging them.

Lots of modern apple orchards here now too, with extensive arrays of hail-protection nets.

We were about a week too early for the apple blossoms, but most impressive right now are the huge old pear trees, looks like they are covered in snow....