Barbara's travels continue 2018

After days of worrying about connections via Munich to Brno, I opted to buy a brand new ticket directly from Zurich to Vienna, connecting to the original train from Munich. It meant a very early start, leaving Seengen at 5.30 to get all the connections. It was worth it for the lack of stress early in the day!  The 10-hour journey to Vienna was very scenic, passing through the Austrian Alps and reminding me of visits to David when he was working there as ski instructor.  The journey went a little quicker thanks to an incredible lady sitting opposite, who I discovered was actually 94, originally from Berlin and had been 15 when war ended. She had plenty to talk about, of course, and was as sharp as a tack! She was elegantly dressed and had bright red hair, with matching lipstick, perfectly applied! I was in awe of this remarkably self-assured lady who had endured the horrors of war. After a wait at Vienna I headed to Breclaw, my first introduction for a while to not being able t...

  It's such a lovely train journey around Switzerland's largest lake, the Vierwaldstätter See. I remember getting out at Fluelen probably over 20 years ago when meeting a new travel agent to work with for the Polytechnic. Thanks to him, I got to know Mario and Bernadette in the little village of Buerglen, nestled into the hills. Sadly, I only had time for a short stay there this time as they both work. However, it was a fabulous day and great catch up. Their 400-year-old chalet is as enchanting as ever, both in and out. And the food? Well, you certainly don't go hungry! First a delicious Sunday roast, followed by a very necessary walk around the village. Then a few hours later this fabulous platter of local meats and cheeses with accompanying wine. So delicious, Farewell to my friends and Buerglen, canton Uri and back around the lake and through the next valley to Seengen, a rapidly growing town near the pretty Hallwylersee to spend a couple of days with Alice and Migg. It...

My trip by little boat from near my lovely Apartment to the tennis was a delight, even on cloudy, drizzly mornings. What a view of the Genevás Jet d'eau. It's a beautiful city but my aim was not sightseeing but tennis! There are so many parks in Geneva and the Gonet tennis was in one of them. It was so lush after several days of rain. Unfortunately, the weather did mean quite a few delays, particularly on my second day. But I got to see some amazing matches and well-known players - sadly not Stan Wawrinka!   One of the best games was Hurcacz versus Rinderknech, but also matches with Cam Norris, Taylor Fritz. Nishikori, Fearnley, Arnaldi and Marozsan were fantastic. I saw several fabulous doubles too. It was a small tournament so we were very close to the action.   My Apartment,Perle du lac, was brilliant and easy access. I was not so keen on the exhibition in the park I walked through from the boat to the apartment! After a final evening with my friend Fred in Geneva at a fabu...