17 April 2015 - Off to Switzerland!

My sister and I were up and ready to go to her place in Switzerland and were on the road by 8.30 AM having farewelled the rest of the family. I am so glad and grateful to Karl for looking after the kids so I can spend some time with my sister.  I haven't seen her on her own for ages and what's more I have never seen her Swiss home and she's been here for years.

The grey day didn't quell our enthusiasm and with a competent European driver at the wheel I felt confident as we drove through Germany and Austria, passing Liechtenstein and on to Switzerland!  There was still snow about and the rural smell of manure fertilized grass wafted by!  The little brown wooden houses of the valleys and villages are so typically Swiss and so cute.  

Brunch!

Nicest coffee this side of Melbourne!

I was mistaken for my sister's mother...mmmm, lucky the coffee was good!

We stopped for a coffee and some sensational breakfast at a relaxed cafe with great coffee!  Even though the rain had set in, we decided to walk around the still half frozen lake which was so peaceful.  A great amount of the lake had been drained for winter in readiness for the big melt when the temperatures rise and there is a glut of water which needs to drain somewhere.  In summer, the lake is full but just now, the melt is only starting.

Great tree roots

Jumping for joy!

Sheer rocks

Still snow!

Beautiful forest

Just on a rock!

Tessellated snow breaking up as the melt sets in (for a day!)

Jump for joy

One last stop, before relaxing and talking at my sister's place was to the river to check out the colourful stones. The snow, knee deep in places, was worth conquering so we could get to the river and check out the stones.  Beautiful colours made prettier by the clear running water.

All the pretty coloured rocks

River exploring

Brave little wildflowers!

Typical Swiss house

Romansch wall painting

After a scrumptious dinner which I didn't cook (!) we went to a fabulous swimming pool.  The waterslide was great (once only for adventure!) but the outdoor heated pool with all its massage spas and bubbles and pretty changing lights was the highlight!  Magnificent! 5 degrees Celcius, outside in the warm water and cold rain was just amazing!  So warm and relaxing!

Delicious feta and spinach pie!