Hi,

For some reason I only discovered this forum a few days ago, even though I have been in Switzerland for almost 13 years now... so, better late than never, here is a quick introduction.

I am English, but have lived in mainland Europe since the mid-1980s. I spent a number of years in France before work brought me to Neuchâtel in the spring of 1998, and I have been here ever since. My main leisure activities are hiking and painting.

Looking forward to joining in future discussions :-)

Stephen

Hi Stephen - what shame you missed the drinks session at the Café des Cerfs last night. So how do you find Neuchatel? Do you live in town?
I am up in the mountains, near the French border - but it seems there are now quite a few of you (young people) in Neuch.

Hmmm... I'm not sure "young" is quite the right word, as I am closer to retirement age than to school age :-)

I live in Neuchâtel itself yes... I like it here, not too big, not too small, easy to get to the mountains. I may already know some people on the forum without realising it, it's not that big a town after all !

Yes great little big town - shame about the fog in winter though. People 'down there' are often rude about us peasants in the Jura- but I could not stay under the 'peutsch' in winter. So, glad to hear there are a few more 'mature' people in the area.

Welcome Stephen

Do you enjoy walking and discovering the area? Or cross-country skiing, or downhill (IF there was any snow!) - what do you enjoy?
I will try and organise some walking (for softies) discovery trips and cross country skiing (when/if snow comes) - and hopefully a BBQ up here in the mountains. Also hoping some will come to the Fete de l'Absinthe in June.

Welcome to the forum Stephen

Thanks for the welcome messages, everyone.

Odile - yes, I do a lot of walking, in the Montagnes neuchâteloises but also in the Alps. I do own a pair of cross-country skis but I prefer snowshoeing in winter... in fact I seem to buy my cross-country ski vignette every year, full of good intentions, then never actually use it :-)

As for downhill skiing... well, let's just say that I have never totally mastered the art. I can struggle down most of the slopes in Les Bugnenets or Métabief, but anything steeper than an easy red and I'm in trouble !

LOL - Metabief is in our neck of the woods - so if you go, send a pm and come over for a cuppa.

Hi Stephen,

You should try to check the events section regularly. We have only recently started successfully organising events and I've met some really nice people in the process. Hope you can come to one of them!

I will try to... especially once the weather gets better if any outdoor stuff is organised.

Another very bright sunny blue sky winter wonderland day up here! Great for cross country skiing - all pistes opened at Les Cernets/Verrières.

Hi, I hope you like Switzerland after these 13 years, dont u?