Spookey-mick

Mick the goat herder

Gurr's Travels

Switzerland

I have heard it described by visitors as Charming, Rustic, Quaint, Beautiful, and Antique. One thing it most certainly is; a good place to work with good food, nice staff, with thoughtful owners who look after their staff and guests and take pride in their Hotel.

We were high on a hill overlooking the town of Boppard in Germany. Below us was the River Rhine. We were sitting on an open chairlift and it started snowing. We suddenly had an idea; why not go to Switzerland and see some real mountains and big cable cars?
This decision was to change my life in most unexpected ways.

Later that year my good friend Tex and I found ourselves in the village of Matten which is next to the town of Interlaken. We had chosen a family owned hotel rather than a large chain. It was most certainly the right choice for us and it was summer 1998.

Somehow the hotel owner got to hear that I did a bit of entertaining with Magic and asked if I would be willing to perform for her staff and a few guests the following evening. I was so pleased; the problem was all I had was a silk and a deck of cards but I managed to put 20 minutes of entertainment together and everybody enjoyed the show. By the end of the week we had made a deal and the following year I was working; that’s how it happened and I was a happy chap.

I would be treated as a guest with full board and my own room; I would entertain with two shows a week and help around the hotel for 2 or 3 hours in the mornings. We were both happy with the arrangement and it worked well.

It was at breakfast time in June 2002 when things started changing. The girl on duty in the dining room that morning was probably suffering with a hangover and she dropped a full tray of glasses. I was a bit abrupt with her. Later that morning I was summoned to the reception. Frau Dora Gerringer wished to speak with me. Perhaps I was a bit sharp with the girl that morning. As I entered reception I noticed an elderly lady (not a tourist) but a local, chatting to Dora. This lady spoke no English and she was a local goat farmer. Dora explained that her helper had died suddenly and would I consider helping with the goats twice a week. I was absolutely delighted to be asked and although I knew nothing about goats, I accepted immediately. We shook hands with smiles all round and I was in for a new experience. This was a Tuesday morning and I was to start on Thursday evening at 1845. Later that day I was taken to the farm about 10 minutes away on a cycle. Now at least I knew the start point.

Dressed in period costume we set off with the Goats to the William Tell Play. First it was a steep climb upwards to a grazing field, where we had a 10 minute rest and the goats were happy. They seem to be able to digest most things. Not being sure of my exact duties it was a learning curve that I had to adapt to quickly.

Soon we were moving again and steadily climbing towards a mountain forest. I was at the rear of the 15 strong herd making sure none strayed too far away and occasionally pausing for rest. The journey took about an hour. We finally came to a holding pen and after a short time the William Tell music was being played and the scene was set for a dramatic entrance, which I was not quite ready for.

Standing in the pen I could hear the cows with their large bells clanging getting closer. They looked wonderful as they came near, this was our entrance cue and we were to follow them into the large arena. I felt the warm breath of a goat on my right hand and my left foot suddenly went warm. One goat was trying to devour my rope belt and another was urinating on my left foot, (I was wearing open sandals.) Suddenly we were off down into the arena with a great reception from the audience of about 2000. Whilst I was busy trying to keep the goats together my right foot found a large cow pat. It was a walk through part with a pause for a short time in front of the audience.

Now it was time for the return journey home. I think the whole village turned out to see the parade home plus many tourists were also lining the streets. We were getting a lot of attention, especially from Japanese visitors. We were on the main road which leads from Matten to Wilderswill. I found I had to keep a close eye on the goats as they were attracted to window boxes and nice gardens with plenty of beautiful flowers, they soon woofed them down; sometimes they would bring a whole window box crashing to the floor before devouring the contents.

Anna the goat farmer seemed pleased with my performance and I soon got used to working with the goats. Anna knew them all by name and their bell sound. She soon knew if one was missing and which one it was. We worked in all weathers including the most violent thunderstorm which came on whilst we were up in the forest. Neither Anna nor the goats took the slightest bit of notice and we carried on regardless.

Myself with Anna Buchs the Goat Farmer

Everything was going well at the hotel. I had settled into a routine 2-3 hours work in the morning which involved watering the plant pots, keeping the garden tidy and helping in the dining room when required but the best bit, I got to walk the hotel dog. Magic shows were twice a week and by request. This was a success proved by the fact that visitors came back year after year and always came to the show.
I was getting used to the goats and the routine for the Tell play took place on Thursdays and Saturdays. I could see Anna was happy with my performance. Swiss National Day, August 1st, was approaching and the cows and goats were to lead the parade. It is a massive event. I had seen it before but now I was so pleased to be part of the celebration.
It was a really hot day. We left the goat farm a full two hours before the parade started at 1500 from near the Interlaken Ost (east) Railway Station. This is about a mile and a half away and there was time for the goats to rest near the start point and

I managed a glass of water. The Swiss are first class timekeepers and at 1500 we set off on the parade proper. The whole town centre was closed and the whole route was lined with cheering happy people. We left the main parade near the West Railway Station and took a different route back to the farm. I was so pleased to reach the forest and some shade, and have a well earned rest whilst the goats did what they enjoyed most, grazing.

The temperature was in the 90s but we still had a long haul back to the farm up through the forest. It was a great day but we were all very tired. I retired back to the Hotel for a cool beer and something to eat.
one
. Left: Magic for the Swiss travel
Reps. at the Hotel

In the Magic shows I used the same routine, always incorporating a story about the goats as many of the audience had seen me passing the Hotel with the goats the evening before. It was easy for me to relate a good tale about the goats at their watering hole. Using slush powder it developed into a comedy routine with the water suddenly disappearing.

two I enjoy mind Magic or Mentalism. It was so easy for me to glean enough information from the Hotel Register to use at the shows, and it’s surprising the amount of information people pass on voluntarily. I managed to bring out their date of birth in apparently freely chosen playing cards, mention they were perhaps afraid of flying, or tell them towns they had passed whilst driving from the U.K. to Switzerland. This sort of thing was a great reputation builder.
It was also pleasing for the hotel owners that some guests returned year after year bringing their children and grandchildren. One evening we had Japanese visitors staying the Hotel. After seeing a spooky hand finding a card they immediately invited me to perform for them in Japan, which I did and it was a great trip.

Above: Turning for home

After Swiss National Day

Spooky-mick

spookey-mick.co.uk

Gurr's Travels

Switzerland