This bridge in Brig-Glis in Switzerland raises automatically to allow flood waters to pass underneath. The power to lift the bridge comes from the flood itself. » read more »

Houses on a barbecue? What's that all about? It's part of a fire safety campaign here in Switzerland. As usual, I look at the words: what do we mean by 'safe'? » read more »

This is one of my favourite desserts, made as it should be with raw eggs. 'But isn't that risky?', people say, 'What about salmonella?'. Well, if you want a cool risk, this is certainly one to enjoy! » read more »

More thoughts about how we love uncertainty, prompted by something I heard on the radio today. Apparently, it's our natural inclination to prefer a 50-50 chance of success, compared to something totally unexpected or completely predictable. » read more »

The phrase 'safe and sound' has been popular for centuries. However, the meaning of these words has undergone a subtle shift over the years. So, what do we mean when we talk about being 'safe' or 'sound'? Or even 'safe and sound'? » read more »