Summer is here again! Well, not quite. But at 10 AM today the lakeside baths of Ludretikon and Bürger I will open again after their winter break. (Bürger II opens on 22 May).

The thought of long and lazy lakeside evenings is certainly warming after the recent cold spell. Soon the three baths and any other patch of lakeside grass will throng with the hustle and bustle of kids and adults alike. The smell of barbeques will fill the air. Mmmm the joys of a lakeside summer! Tabletennis anyone? ...

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The Italian-speaking Ticino is one of our favourite places in Switzerland. And currently it is also very easy to reach from Thalwil: several direct trains offer fast and daily access to the sunny side of Switzerland, with its Mediterranean atmosphere and food. Sadly this 'bella vita' will become somewhat more distant after December 2004, when the new SBB timetable takes effect...

The proposed changes are generally beneficial to Thalwil, with the exception of the trains to southern Switzerland, which will no longer stop in Thalwil. As it is still possible to suggest alterations to the new timetable, the Thalwil Gemeinde is campaigning to keep the direct links to the Ticino. You can show your support by signing the petition at the information counter of the Gemeindehaus (Alte Landstrasse 112) until May 6.

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We've met them in the Migros supermarket, we've overheard them on the bus or by the lake. Perhaps our ears are biased, but there seem to be a lot of English speakers in Thalwil.

Rather than feeling threatened by this Anglo-Saxon 'invasion', most locals actually aspire to learn the language of their guests. In April 2001, the New York Times reported that Thalwil was at the forefront of efforts to introduce English teaching at primary level: "Students as young as 7 are learning multiplication or discussing the weather in English." The parents are delighted. As one mother commented: "Everywhere people are speaking English, not just abroad."

However, three years on, Swiss German - here the local Züritütsch variety - is still going strong. Even if youngsters like to add some international flavour: "Mundart ysch halt immer no mega cool und voll easy!"

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Thalwil is unusually busy today and the shops are closing early. Yes, it's "Sächsilüüte Day" again and the bigwigs in nearby Zurich are preparing for the annual ritual of burning the "Bögg" (snowman). This is meant to mark the end of winter, but judging from the cold weather, they may be celebrating too soon. For simple folks along the lake this day means an afternoon off work and the chance to enjoy our own personal "Bögg" - a chocolate version from Sprüngli...

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It's a sunny spring weekend and the trees of Thalwil are in bloom!

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