A big thank you to the bits of advice provided before arrival.

We are now here, in the Oberland and what a fantastic place to be.

We are 1 wife (Susanna), 2 daughters, 3 cats, 2 g.pigs and a horse (still in UK). Eldest daughter (10) has spent no time in learning where we can get more animals from and has already, within three days, sourced a new g.pig, to which I am told are to be added 3 rabbits and 2 goats. I knew I should not have read her 'My family and other animals'!

Home is a house we bought, somewhat on a whim in February, just outside Meiringen. Funding remains my job in the Uk so I join the Easyjet commuters from Basel every week. Long term aim is to learn Swiss Deutsch and get a job nearer (i.e. in Switzerland).

I have to say, the local people have been great. I was a little nervous after reading some of the postings about living in Switzerland, but I guess living in the countryside, like the UK, brings a different type of people - and so far even with my terrible German, neighbours have opened their doors to us.

I am firmly in the flush of excitement of a new lifestyle.

I look forward to participating in the 'English abroad' ethos that runs through this excellent site and although we are away from the cities, I hope we will get to meet some of you over the coming months/years.

This area seems to be relatively English free, which is surprising as it is so beautiful, however if anyone is passing by this way, the Grimsel Pass road is just at the end of the drive, then please feel free to stop by for a cup of tea or a beer.

Once again, thanks for the tips and advice.

Richard (and family).

Hi Richard

Welcome to Switzerland, and goodluck in finding a job closer to home, it must be very tiring to travel each week back, and forth from here to the UK.

If you are every in my area you can also stop, and come in for a cup of tea, beer, or a glass of wine

Welcome to cheeseland!

I read something about terror cells near you.....
Breaking News! CIA have located a terrorist cell in the Swiss Alps!



Wish you a good start and nice weekend!
HAT

Hi,

Well done on your move,you sound very excited. Good luck with the job hunting, Im sure you will get something soon. The commute is rather tiring,my hubby used to commute back to the UK every other week but it all got a bit much. We are coming out to spend the month in the apartment in Oetwil am See and thats pretty rural too.

Sounds like your daughter is working on a zoo of her very own, a girl after my own heart lol.

Best of luck to you

PB

Welcome to you and your family Richard. We commute every couple of weeks so know what it's like!
Glad to hear that you are getting a couple of Goats, I had 2 goats and it was great fun having them - they were really funny and had very different characters - One was a Toggenberg & the other a British Saanan!! One Swiss & one English!