Day trips from Tafers with Marlis and Urs

Tafers, another of the many places in Switzerland where I really feel at home, with long- time friends Marlis and Urs.
Gorgeous fields of sunflowers adorn the rolling fields around Fribourg. 
We had a great programme for my stay. It was fabulous to be introduced to so many new places over the few days. First was very close to home, Düdingen Moos. It was a pleasant afternoon stroll on a warm day. Happily, I didn't see the snake Urs saw! 
The next place was new for me and absolutely fascinating, Magdalena Einsiedelei  Räsch. This hermit's home dug into the petrified sand dunes is an unbelievable 120 metres long, with many rooms, openings to a view over the river, and a large chapel.
The chapel was first used in 1691 and is in exceptionally good condition. 
The majority of the rooms  have sculptures or wall etchings and were probably built at the end of the 17 th century. 
The amazing thing is that the stone dates back 20 million years! 
It had been a wonderful day with the family, joined by Larissa, who I've known since she was a baby, and Levi, her little boy. It's great to know the various generations! 
We finished the day with a visit to Fribourg Open Air  cinema, tucked into the old town walls. The film Bisons was great, but it proved to be a very late night, fortunately with beautiful weather and temperature.
The next day Marlis and Urs had a fantastic full day of visits near the Bielersee planned. First up, La Neuville, a very picturesque,  colourful village, with beautiful fountains and wells. 
The water here was so pretty with all the petals in it, making fabulous patterns and reflections.
The village was more or less deserted, with shops closed over lunchtime. Only the restaurants showed signs of life.
At the base of this tower was the Hotel D'Or. Fortunately, the owner recommended we visit the collection of remarkable marionettes they had in the tower.
There were dozens of the most intricately made puppets, with exotic costumes. 
It was such a magical place - what luck we had.
Not far along the beautiful Bielersee was Landeron, another tiny walled town with lovely colourful homes and restaurants. Not much else happening here!
It was, nevertheless, a very attractive place, peaceful and pretty.
Our final visit was to another very attractive and slightly more touristy place, Erlach . Its castle, up on the hilltop, reminded me of Gruyere. The views down the empty cobbled street to the Bielersee were gorgeous. Empty because everyone else was at or in the lake!
The little pottery had some very interesting items, but not really my style. 
The end of a wonderful day 😊 

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