I told this story to my future FIL who grew up not far from Mels. He said that during WW2 it was actually forbidden for foriegners to take photographs anywhere near the borders (which would have included Mels), so I take it this poor old dear hadn't actually realised the war was over!
He also told me about a time he was on his families small holding on the banks of the Rhine when about 30 odd Allied bombers came over and started to unload, on the Swiss side of the border. He said about 3 or 4 were shot down by the Swiss air force and crashed on the mountain side. If that is true (he was only 10 or 12 at the time and like most of us would have had a healthy imagination!) it must be documented somewhere
| Quote: | |  | |
| Switzerland has nutters too! I know, it’s a bit of a shocker. It was for me yesterday when I discovered the horrible truth.
There I was in the pretty square of the village of Mels taking a few casual snaps with my camera when I felt a hand on my shoulder. A woman in her 60s was standing there and said 'What do you think you are doing, it is absolutely forbidden to take photographs in Switzerland'. This is a wind up I thought but she was deadly serious and when I continued on my photographic quest she went off on one and accused me of being an 'Unworthy subject of her majesty queen Elizabeth' (She was probably right on that score) and proceeded to make an attempt at striking my camera from my hand with her umbrella!
At this point I decide it was best to simply walk away but she was having none of it and proceeded to follow me to where my bike was parked, flagged down a passing motorist and demanded he call the police right away.
The moral of the story is... care in the community doesn’t work here too! | |
| | |