R1. Tellskapelle & Seelisberg 17 Oct

Weather forecast not brilliant for today but the intrepid pair set off before the crack of dawn to travel with the early commuters to Bern and on to Luzern and Brunnen. This journey passes lots of lakes and as the early fog lifted it was very pleasant. Here we see Rigi reflected in Vierwaldstattersee.

 

We went by boat from Brunnen to Tellskappelle stopping at Rütli and Sisikon on the way

On to Tellskapelle where we had time to photograph the building and interior before contining on uphill to the  'plus grand carillon de Suisse'  Inside the Tellskapelle there are four murals depicting the historical story of William Tell.

Not sure that all the buttons for choosing which songs the Carilon will play were working but we did recognise  'Vo Luzern uf Weggis Zue'

After absorbing great views over the lake We returned to Brunnen and crossed the lake on another boat to Treib.

 

We transferred to the Seelibahn for the funicular ride up th Seelisberg.

 Here we walked on up the road to Schillers-Balkon which affords amazing views over the mountains, lake and way down yo the Rütli fields below.

 

We walked past numerous bus stops until it was time to wait for the bus to Stans which once again afforded great views of the lake. From Stans we caught a local train back to Luzern for our connection back to Thun.

Q2. Heiligenschwendi EMK, Spiez & Faulensee 16 Oct

Spent a delightful morning at EMK Heiligenschwendi, listening to the choir, stories and sermon in Swiss German, catching up with friends and sharing lunch together. The desserts were made during the morning with everyone peeling and cutting up the apples as part of a story that was told before the sermon.

In the afternoon the beautiful blue sky was conducive to wandering so we set off down hill and decided to walk part way towards Thun and covered at least six bus stops before we waited for the bus for the rest of the way. From Thun we caught the train to Spiez and walked down to the lake to check the boat timetable and buy icecreams. Then we walked around the lake to Faulensee. So did hundreds of others! These two sort of fitted in to the environment.

It really is a great pathway along the shore of the lake with huge trees hanging their branches over the water.

 

From Faulensee we took the Schiff back to Thun with great views in all directions.

 

And a welcome home at the end of the day. 

 

Q1. Thun, Lenk & Blausee 15 Oct

Had some time to spare in Thun so we started the day with a walk along the river.

Caught the train to Spiez & Zweisimmen and on to Lenk for the Alpine festival where we watched the parade of cows, browsed the shops and stalls and were tempted by the delicious Apple fritters.

 

From Lenk we made our way back to Spiez and after a short wait we were on our way to Kandersteg. 

From Kandersteg we took the bus back down the valley to Blausee where the fishing competition was in full swing. Had afternoon tea there before heading home.

 

Autumn colours really starting to show up now. 

 

 Ended the day with a walk from Goldiwil down into the valley and up the other side to Heiligenschwendi. Captured the sunflowers enjoying the late afternoon sun.

 

 

P2. Adelboden 14 Oct

Yea! I didn't have to be tour guide today - with my printed version of the day's SBB timetable ever at the ready. Today we were invited to go for a hike in Adelboden with a couple we met in 2014 and have stayed in contact with through Facebook. We met at Thun station and caught the train to Frutigen. Then transferred to the bus to Abelboden where we took the gondola up to a higher point to start our walk at Tschenten.  

 This is the way we are going - first up uphill!

 

Brilliant vistas even on an overcast day and still the odd wildflower among the grass

 

Someone is ready for lunch and it was delicious - carrot soup and then steak with vegetables and chips.

After a leisurely lunch we had a rainy walk back to Adelboden but I still managed to take a few more pictures!

 

 

When enlarged you can see the row of bells under the eaves and I like the little cubbie house out to the left.

Bussed and trained to Thun and up to Heiligenschwendi. Once again the walk home was delightful with the cows coming in, the fog rapidly changing and the beautiful Autumn colours on our neighbours woodshed.

 

 

 Home sweet home - for a little while anyway

 

 

P1. Over the hills and far away 13 Oct

Having had a late night we gave ourselves a well deserved morning off. That said I peeped out the window early and saw the mountains on display so I crept out with my camera for a little walk. Then I made my way around under the eaves and past the chimney to get to the little balcony to check the view from there. Rather nice I think. 

Because the mountains were visible we walked to Haltenegg to catch the late morning bus. This walk offers great views over the lake and our part of Heiligenschwendi below the fields.

In Thun we caught bus 51 to Wattenwil and immediately transferred to the minibus 56 to Riggisberg. This gave us an even wider perspective on the local mountain ranges. The farmers who were yesterday busy spraying natural fertiliser on all the fields (that's how we knew it would rain today!), today they were cutting the maize, ploughing fields and generally being busy every where went.

Someone's carefully planted vegetable garden and the erica plants which are available in all supermarkets.   

After 25 minutes here we boarded bus 611 to Schwarzenberg and when we got to the station we got off and looked for bus 612. In front of our eyes our bus changed to bus 612 so we got back on! This bus does a circular trip to Guggisburg and back to the station. Despite the rain showers we got off at Guggisburg for an hour of wandering around. One of the songs the Canberra Swiss Choir sings is the Guggisburg Lied (with 14 verses - we don't sing them all). It was interesting to visit the place of its origin. 

Home via train to Bern and on to Thun for a quick tour of the local Aldi to restock the cupboard. The road from the bus stop to our Spycher always invites a picture no matter what the weather!