Barbara's travels continue 2018

So, my last trip before I leave for Europe, and great to be able to spend four wonderful days with Trudi, who has so kindly and patiently put up with my comings and goings over the past five months! Our destination was Dambach la Ville, one of the many beautiful 'villages fleuries' of France, on the Wine route through the Alsace. Our appartment was spacious and in the heart of the old city, only metres from the ramparts. We ate on the balcony on the first evening - a feast of local cheeses and bread, with, of course accompanying wine, and this lovely view all around us.It will certainly seem strange to be in New Zealand again with such young homes around me. The village is very pretty and not too touristy. In fact, we were glad to have bought our food for a meal at the appartment, because everything was closed in the village on Monday night! However, I like the fact that there is only one souvenir shop, only a couple of restaurants, a bar, little shop and a bakery at the end o

Switzerland is such an incredibly diverse country. After only one hour the Italian language is replaced by Swiss German, the architecture is completely different and food and culture also change. It never ceases to fascinate me. It was a lovely journey through the centre of Switzerland, via Luzern with its gorgeous lake and surrounding mountains, finishing in the less visited but just as fantastic Fribourg. Here there is a mix of French and German, though more a tendency towards French. The short bus trip through the old city is always a treat, even more so in the late afternoon light. How wonderful to catch up with Marlis and Irs and their family once again. It has been an annual visit for years now! One place on my bucket list in Switzerland was Lac de Joux in the Jura, very close to the French border. Marlis and I had a brilliant day there, arriving at the little hamlet of Le Pont to start our walk around the lake. We quickly realised that it was not 9 kilometres around it, but 9 k

Travelling is such a joy, but to come back 'home' to close friends is also wonderful, as it was in  Russikon and Pfaeffikon.  It was incredible to actually experience better Italian food in Pfaeffikon than in Ialy! The new restaurant Marco and I ate at was simply perfect - great service, beautiful decor inside and delicious food. I always feel at home in Pfaeffikon and a walk around my favourite Swiss lake is a must. On the marshy side of the lake were carpets of these beautiful autumn crocus, Herbstzeitlose in German, meaning 'timeless autumn'!  Of course, no walk around the lake in autumn is complete without  Jucker's fabulous pumpkin display. Sadly, it is no longer as grand as it used to be, but is still pretty impressive. This year with the theme music.  It didn't matter where I went, I just kept bumping into my friends. It was such a lovely day. After once again only a short stay in Russikon, I headed south to the Tessin, realising that it has been years s