Yves Rossy with two Breitling planes over Nidwald, Switzerland, July 2010 (photo ©2010 Breitling/Alain Erlout)
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Lake Geneva area resident and world record-breaker Yves Rossy succeeded in doing two aerial loops after shooting himself out of a hot air balloon at Bercher, near Geneva, Friday morning 5 November, wearing a custom-made jet-propelled wingsuit. He then used a parachute to land safely.
Rossy, also known as Fusion Man and Jetman since he became the first person to cross the English Channel in September 2008 using jet propulsion, in July 2010 became the first man to fly in formation with two airplanes, using only his body to stay in line with the Boeing Stearman Breitling Wingwalkers that he joined at 1,000 metres, after being dropped off by a Pilatus PC-6. The two planes and the man flew in formation for six minutes.
The former pilot, age 51, attempted to cross the Straits of Gibralter in 2009 but ditched when the turbulence became too strong.
Fredy Nock takes a 30-metre high walk in Thun
Elephant runs down Bahnhofstrasse before being caught
Zurich, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Sabu, an elephant from the Knie circus, escaped after the circus closed Sunday, as the animals were being loaded. The animal took a dip in Lake Zurich, then wandered along the lakefront, finally heading down the Bahnhofstrasse towards the train station, a trek of several kilometres, before its trainers were finally able to capture it.
Links to other sites: NZZ, TSR (Fre), Daily Mail (pictures), and Knie Circus
Swiss Alps: a fine day ahead
Swiss sheep, canton Valais, May 2009, before a summer on top of the mountain
Update 09:00 Saturday 10 October Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The warmest October day since 1910 was a treat earlier this week, with temperatures staying above 10C even at night and rising to 30C (Meteoswiss explains why, in French).
Good weather ahead in the Lake Geneva region
A day of rain in the Lake Geneva area Thursday cooled things down and the leaves have begun to fall, but the weekend promises a good dose of fine weather, mixed with occasional showers. At 09:00 Saturday morning it is raining everywhere in Switzerland, it appears, but the forecasters are still promising it will mostly disappear and we’ll have sunshine: have faith!
It’s relatively warm, with temperatures rising to 18C, perfect for outdoor markets, planting new wild grasses, just reading a suspenseful novel in a sunny spot, cooking up a storm with seasonal foods, or hiking through the vineyards.
What’s on in Geneva and Lausanne, the rest of the region
Sunday is Expat Expo in Geneva, the second of the region’s two big fairs with exhibitors and more, for the English-speaking population. Head out of town, under two hours from Geneva, to watch the sheep come down from the high alps, in Champéry Saturday morning. Head for the circus Saturday night: the famous Swiss Knie circus has started its 2009 programme on the lakefront in Lausanne.
Be sure to check the GenevaLunch events pages for what’s on throughout the region (click on a date on the calendar to see full display).
