What is an «Ustrinkete?» You can find out this week. And with the cold weather comes…that’s right. Fondue. There’s also comedy and a classic band hits the stage in Züri.

Thursday: It’s Fondue Season Already. Mica’s Open Their Tipi
Friday: Help Dry Out Bäcki. It’s Their «Ustrinkete»
Friday: Comedy At Plaza With Captain Khalid
Saturday: Some Serious Cycling Hits Zurich
Sunday: Shopping For Shutterbugs
Sunday: Sunday Night Is Gig Night. The Pretenders & Big Brave
Wednesday: Ever Wanted To DJ. Now’s Your Chance

UCI? Know what that stands for? Well, it’s the Union Cycliste Internationale. The organisation that oversees sports cycling and organising events. Starting this Saturday UCI are descending on Zurich with the 2024 Road & Para-Cycling Road World Championships and they’ll be in situ until the 29th of December. As well as an enormous number of races there are also a whole host of fan zones and side events.

p.s. If you are travelling around the city please be aware that there may be some traffic and travel disruption.

The mushroom season is here and «mushrooming» is one of my favourite autumn activities. You can wander through the forest like characters from a Grimm tale and pick delicious treats like Death Caps, Golden Boletes, Aspen Boletes, Honey Fungus, and all those other charming-sounding varieties from the forest floor. Oh, are you feeling the urge to go «shrooming» yourself? Perfect, I have a comprehensive mushroom guide with tips on how to easily identify edible mushrooms and other useful advice.

The Swiss go to the polls this weekend and there is plenty to vote for. I love the fact that Switzerland has direct democracy. It's one of the main attractions, along with the flag which is a big plus! This weekend the issues include biodiversity, pensions, (again,) and education for people who have moved to Switzerland. I’ve divided this into national and local votes to make it all easier to swallow.