Swiss Snaps

Swiss Journeys 2011

Another day in Switzerland, and we set out to catch a Paddle Steamer for a trip on Lake Geneva, There was no boat due at Vevey so we got a Bus To Montreux and just as we left a little shop there was a Paddle Steamer coming in to stop. So we managed to get across to the jetty and this was a most majestic Paddle Boat. Over 100 years old it had just be completly restored and returned back to its original condition. The First Class Dining room was like something from the Titanic and the second class for us 'Plebs' was slightly less plush but still more than adequate. The Paddle boats themselves were at one stage retired from active duty but public pressure and public donations meant many have been restored and returned into daily service or during the busy Summer months. For the technical minded the boats no longer run on coal but now on oil and many of the manual 'oiling' jobs have been automated but you can still see the enormous pistons and cylinders and various mechanical bits driving the paddle wheels outside.
The trip lasted as far as Lausanne. There we changed to another Paddle boat and crossed over into France at Evian. Here we had something to eat and as it was in France it was much more reasonable priced. From there I saw a signpost for the re opened Funicular, so we walked up to the Funicular. Again like the Paddle boat the Funi was taken out of service and was closed for many years but was reopened again by private donations about 10 years ago. The Funi itself has been brought back to the 'belle epoque' period but all the engineering has been fully modernised.
The was not much to see at the summit but there was a small shop selling souvenirs and the top staion again had been beautifully renovated and restored.
Photographs to follow later.

Swiss Railway and Boat Holidays IV

Been to Switzerland several times. This time we decided to stay near Vevey which is situated in the French speaking part of Switzerland. Veyey is on Lake Geneva. As before I booked via BnB.ch which is a group of small Hotels, Guest Houses and Bed and Breakfasts and is the most reasonable way to stay in Switzerland. Our accommodation was just outside Vevey and it had it owns train service passing very near the BnB. Had been warned on Trip Advisor that the owner was a bit strict but we had no problems at all. The house was a Luxurious, almost a Villa with its own Swimming Pool and we had no complaints.
The first day having arrived early we caught a train to Montreaux and then on up to a town called Montbovon. From there we got a little narrow gauge train to the Gruyere region and got off at a little town called Bulle. There we had some cakes and tea and a glass of wine is a little old fashioned cafe. We returned home on the 'Golden Pass Panorama train'
The following day we went on a mountain train to Gornergratt, which is opposite the Matterhorn. A special cog-railway bring you right to the summit and even in the middle of Summer it was very cold and there was still snow to be seen everywhere. There was a Hotel and cafe on the summit but we only had coffee and our own snacks. A plate of Chips was eight Euro and with the rent rise of the Swiss Franc that would be nearly nine now, ouch.