Europe 2025

 This morning was very warm already! We all had breakfast on the porch and then headed to the town of Thun. We headed straight for the mountain - Niesen to catch the cart up. It was around 3km upwards via the carts which go at between 60-70% angles. The view was very nice, it was clearer today than yesterday through the smoke. Once we made it to the top, we climbed the extra part to the peak and to the 360 degree lookout. There were lots of gliders and paragliders from the top. It was so quiet and perfect temperature up there. We then had a drink at the restaurant on the top and caught the 2:10pm cart back down as the last one was at 3 for a race. The race goers were all waiting at the bottom when we got down around 3. The race is up the stairs which is the same route as the cart. It’s a total of 11,674 stairs which is around 3.4km and gains a total of 1,669m. The fastest runner did it in 57mins with the record being 54mins. Absolutely crazy!  We then headed home but the traff...

 This morning it was still so warm. I didn’t sleep well at all and neither did Veronika. After breakfast, we headed to the Alps. It was an hour and a half drive to Fronalpstock. From there we boarded a gondolier which has the world record for the steepest ascent. It makes it to 110% on the way up. It was quite daunting looking down but an incredible view. We then hopped onto a chair lift (ski lift in winter) which took us up even further to another chair lift. Once at the very top, it was a height of 1921m. During winter, it is all ski slopes but in summer it is farmed. Along the way we passed lots of cows with their bells on which helps the farmers find them in bad weather. At the very top, there was a restaurant, lookouts and a goat! We wandered along the top and of course visited the pet goat. We then had some lunch. It was quite warm but at the top it was a nice breeze.  On a clear day you can see to Zürich but the smoke is still around from the US fires so a lot of our vi...

 This morning was very relaxed. Veronika and Markus weren’t up until 9:30. Barnaby and I relaxed on the porch with a cup of tea. It was a mild morning of 17 at 8am. After breakfast, we headed to Basel. We wandered around the shops and to the Town Hall and Cathedral by the river. We visited the Christmas shop and a few others which had sales. We then headed to the chocolate factory and stocked up! Next we went to the Nestle outlet. After that we headed to the look out which Belle and I also went to back 9yrs ago! It was a lovely view with the smoke haze having lifted abit more today. It was a top of 27 so was starting to get very hot!  We then headed to the equivalent of our Bunnings and I bought a reindeer skin. I’m very excited! Then we did a grocery shop with Veronika and Markus and then headed home. Barnaby and I then relaxed at home for an hour while Veronika and Markus went to a garden shop sale as they wanted to see what they could get for the garden.  Once they wer...

 This morning after breakfast we headed to giessbachfalle. The drive was nearly 2hrs south of Liestal. It was windy but very beautiful going around lakes and mountains. Once we made it, we walked up to the water fall and then down around/under it. We then walked to the restaurant nearby for a view of the lake and waterfall together. We then drove to the town nearby to wander around the lake of Brienz. It was very lovely weather, very warm and not much wind. There is an army base nearby which train their jets/pilots over the lake and through the mountains. We watched them take off and fly through the mountains. They were very loud but it was very cool to watch. There was lots of base jumpers and sky divers also.  We then headed up the mountain to a cafe so we could sit and look out over the mountains and lake with a drink.  After this we drove home getting home around 4pm. We sat on the deck and relaxed for a few hours before driving to Germany for dinner. However when we ...

 This morning once we were all up, we had breakfast and discussed the days plans. We then headed to the medieval town of Gruyère to see the castle. It was an hour and a half drive south to the French speaking part of Switzerland. The town was on top of a hill and the castle was the highest point. The castle was built in 1244. It was initially the home of a noble Swiss family in the Middle Ages - the counts of Gruyère. It was designed to be a home but also a barrack/military base. We wandered through the castle and the gardens which had a great view of the country side. By lunch time the town was very busy. It is a public holiday in Switzerland today and there are many people travelling for the weekend from France, Poland and Netherlands.  After we had viewed the castle, we drove around the lake of Gruyère and then to a nearby village for a drink. The drive home was very busy with everyone heading home after their long weekend so we ended up taking the scenic route. It was grea...

 This morning we slept in, showered and then had breakkie with Veronika and Markus.  It was drizzling most of the day today and mild (top of 16) which was a refreshing change to Italy and Spain’s 30 degree days!  So this morning we did some washing - much needed after 2 sweaty weeks. And then we all headed to the other side of Liestal for a walk through the forest. It was windy and drizzly but very refreshing and nice. We then headed to another town near by that had a Steiner school and community. We visited the cathedral there and then took the scenic route home passing goat dairy’s and lots of cherry orchards. For the afternoon we then relaxed for a few hours enjoying Veronikas home made tiramisu for afternoon tea! We all sat on the porch and enjoyed a drink before a delicious bbq dinner.  It was a much needed day of rest to catch our breathe after the last 2 weeks.  Tomorrow we are heading south to the French speaking part of Switzerland to see a castle there...