L1. Sion 6 Oct - part 1

Woke to the promise of another blue sky day. At Thun station we met a Swiss friend whom we originally met on a Schiff on Thunersee in 2014. Together we set off for Visp where we had a quick look around. I love looking at the florist shops they have such creative ideas.

From Visp we caught the train to Sion and immediately transferred to a bus to La Morge   From here we walked down to, and around a small lake which is a bird sanctuary and today it also had lovely reflections od the surrounding hills.

After a short time we caught the bus back to the old part of Sion. Such an interesting city dominated by two hills one with the ruins of the Chateau Tourbilon and the other with the intact Eglise de Valerie. This is a French speaking area of Switzerland and some knowledge of the language is very useful.      

 

 We decided to climb up to the Valère Bascilica and found a little resturant there that served superb quiche with salad for lunch. Next we looked inside the church which we all agreed was special because of its age and simplicity. The pipe organ was quite unique and I loved the old doors and gates.

 

One more photo selected from many - this shows the Flag of Canton Valais along with the Swiss flag.

L2. Montreux 6 October - part 2

After a great morning in Sion we decided to extend the day by continuing on to Montreux for coffee (as you do!) The train passes through the hilly vineyards of Valais, the city on Martigny and Aigle (which is on our itinerary for later). Difficult to photograph from the train because of overhead wires.

 After a passing glimpse of Chateau Chilon we arrived in Montreux. Walked a small section of the lakeside promenade. Delighted to find that this year's sculpture theme is 'music'. I managed to photograph a lot of them so feel another photo book coming on! 

 

Caught the train up over the pass to Zweisimmen. Great view looking back for a last glimpse of Lac Leman shining in the late afternoon sun.

Difficult to photograph the beautiful Jaun Pass and Simmental as the light deminished but here is one of the nicely decorated station at Saanen. Altogether a wonderful day!

 

K2. Lucerne and Meggen Castle - 5 Oct

Yesterday was a mountain day so today was a city day. Took the train through the Emmental to Lucern where the annual Autumn festival is underway. The area around the lake near the train station has a fun fair atmosphere with rides and stalls by the dozens. There was a wide variety of items for sale including the specialty cookies in heart shapes with messages on them - Lebkuchenherzen.

 

This ride is certainly not for the faint hearted especially as the cold fog is still hanging in the air!     

From this area we then did a quick walk up to and across the covered bridge with its beautiful flower boxes. Although we have been over it a number of times in the past a visit to Lucern would not be complete without seeing the bridge and the old town behind it.

 

 

 

From the city we caught a bus to Meggen Lerchenbühl and walked down to Schloss Meggenhorn (Castle). This is a private estate on the shores of the lake. Although all the views were not visible it was good to be able to explore the extensive grounds, gardens and vineyards. There were Gardeners busy with precise hedge trimming and also the vineyard was a hive of activity with the grape harvest in full swing.

 

   

We wandered down to the lake to the huge statue which we had photographed from the boat on a previous trip

We walked on from the castle grounds to Meggen passing more impressive houses and estates on the way. I liked this little building in the grounds of one of the estates

 

From here we walked up to the bus and made our way back to Lucern station for our trip back home through the Emmental. One more photo from the bus as we crossed the bridge near Lucern station showing the Canton flag, ship with Swiss flag and Ferris wheel in the background.

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K1. Murren to Stechelberg hike 4 Oct

Another brilliant blue sky day enticed us back to the mountains. This time we chose to go back Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen and up with the Gondola to Grütschalp and along on the little mountain train to Murren. This is our 4th time in Murren and the view is just as spectacular every time. Here are photos from the centre of the town one looking down the street and the other looking up.

 

After a quick look in a souvenir shop we set off down the sealed road to Gimmelwald. The cable car to Shilthorn passed over our heads.

 

 

I have an interest in the ways that the Swiss stack their wood - here are two more examples

 

 

 

From Gimmelwald the track is gravel and steep. You arrive at a bridge at the bottom of the valley and think you are close to Stechelberg but the track winds back up past lovely waterfalls before descending back down to the village and the waiting Postbus. We decided to continue walking towards Lauterbrunnen enjoying the scenery on the way.

 

 

 

Beautiful old house near Stegmatte. We caught the bus from Trummelbach back to Lauterbrunnen and the very full train back to Interlaken.

 

From Interlaken to Spiez and on to Thun where we had a well deserved coffee break before the bus trip up to Heiligenschwendi and Goldiwil. Looks like there will not be a good sunset tonight. Yeah I won't be tempted to climb back up the hill to my vantage point!

J2. Thun 3 Oct

Up early to catch the morning sun on the mountains showing above the fog with the city down below.

  Spent today with a Canberra friend who is also visiting Switzerland. The weather was perfect. We firstly walked along the river to Schadau castle and wandered around the grounds. Surprised to see the swans eating the lawns.

 

From here we walked back into town over the covered bridge and up to the church and castle - enjoyed listening to the pipe organ being played in the recently refurbished church.  

 

 

After lunch we took the bus up to Heiligenschwendi and climbed Vesuv to look at the view over Thunersee from up there.

And to end this day in a super way I have just huffed and puffed my way quickly up to a vantage point above our accommodation to catch the sunset looking out to the mountains over the village of Heiligenschwendi.  

J1. Bern Jodler Matinee 2 Oct

If we wanted to experience Swiss Culture then that was what today was all about. The Berner Jodler-Matinee was a concert performed in the Kulture Casino Bern - fabulous venue! It had not been well advertised and I found it by chance as I scrolled through all the local Jodler Club websites looking at their events calendars a few months ago. Despite some email correspondence we were unable to find any info on price, duration or content. Therefore we were delighted to have free seats on the balcony that faced the stage and a wonderful selection of typically Swiss entertainment that lasted about 3 hours. The choir costumes were really beautiful when seen up close.  

 

In the evening we went for a walk with our Airbnb hosts in the forest near our favourite little chalet. Later they shared their yummy vegetable pie with us and then we got onto the subject of Swiss choir music. Our host produced an old song book and Geoff photographed the songs which she played on the recorder.