Our Big Fat Crazy Hiatus: Visiting Friends in Switzerland!

We had a day's journey from Paris to Thun, Switzerland. It was necessary to take several trains, and there were a few stressful moments to make the train connections. It was interesting to go through customs from France to Switzerland- you just whiz through a long corridor pulling your luggage and some custom's officers watch you as you go by but seldom stop anyone.

In the small city of Thun (near Bern, in the German speaking part of Switzerland) we were met by our dear friend, Bruno. He is a kind man whom we have known for about 20 years. The last time we went to visit him and our other friend, Diesel, was 10 years ago! Bruno ushered us into his hand-crafted renovated older home and served us some snacks. We have stayed in this house twice before,over the years, and it continues to have charm and a unique character. It is situated on the Ares River and is a 20 minute walk to the town of Thun.

During the week of our visit, we saw a great deal of the small country of Switerland. Uncle Bruno, as he is fondly called, was a wonderful host and drove us around in his antique car way up into the mountains in the area, where there was still snow. He took us to many country inns along the way where we tasted schnapps or soft drinks and delicious desserts. We even climbed up a tall tower and saw a view of the whole area, on one of our journeys. One day, Diesel (our other friend), joined us on a road trip to Grueyer (where the cheese is made) to visit the famous Grueyer Castle that was build in the Middle Ages. Ir was complete with furniture and the paintings and tapestries on the wall depicted scenes from this era. Christopher really loved to run along the ramparts around the castle!

One evening, were also invited to a traditonal Swiss supper at Therese's home (Bruno's partner) complete with a basket-weaving workshop and museum! Shannon wore her new Italian outfit to this event and had lots of fun joking with Diesel. Therese and her assistant, Andrea, made the children some woven creations while the children looked on- a bird for Shannon and a slug for Christopher. I got a snail from Therese and Diesel even tried his hand at it, and made me a woven pine cone! After the meal, we were given a tour of the workshop, retail shop, storage area (very huge indeed with willow and other types of wood to weave), and shown around a weaving museum. My favorite items were the micro small baskets and the ancient basket that was used to hide poison!

Moreover, we joined our friends for hikes in the area, walking by farms and into forests with caves to explore and bubbling streams. It was lots of fun to take a break on our hike to enjoy conversation annd eat juicy sausages cooked on an open fire! One night, we joined Diesel's family at his home and marvelled at the bee -keeping operationn he runs in his backyard. Christopher tried to keep the party lively by showing his new Swiss friends his magic tricks. Another day, we had an outdoor cheese fondue in the woods and Christopher practiced archery with the bow that Therese fashioned for him out of a willow branch. Uncle Bruno is an expert archer and gave him lots of helpful tips to improve his aim. Shannon enjoyed stiriring the large brass pot hung over the fire, to make sure the fondue did not burn.

We all had a wonderful time with our Swiss friends and we were sad to leave them...

Shannon and Christopher enjoy a breakfast on the first class TGV train from Paris to Lausanne, Switzerland.

Shannon had a snooze along the way.

Christopher and Shannon with the Thun Castle in the background.

The lovely bird talked to us each day as we walked by to go the the town of Thun!

Shannon and Christopher liked to twirl on this thing at the park nearby.

Brenda in Thun.

The view walking from Uncle Bruno's house to town.

My friends- Diesel (left) and Bruno (right) in Bruno's kitchen.

We all had a fun time on the second night when Diesel joined us, playing cards,
Christopher learned how to do palm-reading from Uncle Bruno, and we even tried some magic tricks!

Christopher took aim when we had a day in woods enjoying a cheese fondue.

Bruno stirring the cheese fondue with Shanon staying warm.

Yummy fondue!

Uncle Bruno giving Chris pointers on archery.

One of the farms along the way, as we drive up to the higher altitudes and snow.

We had a cat visit us at our table at a country inn.

The farmer at the inn let us see his barns and we visited some cute donkeys.

This is one of the inns we visited along the way.

A little hot chocolate break along the way.

Here is Uncle Bruno's antique car as we drive through a sall town in Switzerland.

Chris and Shannon near one of the barns along the way...

A typical church in the Bernese Canton.

Interior of the church.

The tower we climbed.

Uncle Bruno giving Christopher instructions on palm reading on the top of the tower.

Therese and Bruno.

Andrea, Therese's mother, Diesel, and Shannon.

Brenda and Shannon in the Weaving Museum.

Therese weaving a bird for Shannon.

Andrea is weaving an animal too (she is doing a work placement at Therese's business)

Diesel and Brenda in Grueyer town.

Here are Bruno and Diesel in a weird sci-fi bar in Grueyer town becasue the director of the movie, Alien is Swiss and built this bar and a mueum devoted to extra terrestrials!