A day in Switzerland

After yesterdays drizzly, hazy weather we were so lucky to wake up to a clear sunny day for our trip to Mt Pilatus. We had a short bus ride to the outskirts of Lucerne where we got on small cable-cars and rode for about half an hour up the mountain...

We then swapped to a much larger one which took us up to Mt Pilatus...

The view was amazing - snow capped mountains one way and views over Lucerne and the countryside the other way...

There were more walkways to explore which give a different view over the main information, shop and restaurant area...

As we walked down from the lookout this man was playing Amazing Grace on the Alpenhorn - it sounded fantastic...

There was also another very high lookout on the other side which Peter and I decided to tackle - quite a climb but well worth it...

It was then time to descend down the 7000 ft Mt Pilatus on the cog-wheel train...

Passing farms and hearing the cows with their very loud bells wandering around...

Back down to ground level and feeling so very thankful for a fantastic morning and perfect weather...

We then had some free time. We got our free Rolex teaspoons and I bought myself a very nice Swiss Army knife and had that engraved. We had some lunch by Lake Lucerne then went for a walk along Chapel Bridge and did some souvenir shopping. We had just enough time to find a spot and sit down and enjoy a cuppa. Dad had been complaining all holidays about the terrible tea he has constantly been served so he ordered a coffee frapee (well something like that). The menu was in Swiss but Peter and I decided to order a strange named tea and look what we got LIPTON tea bags!!!! Dad was so jealous and we savoured every mouthful except for the dreggs I saved him...

Chapel Bridge

Lipton tea by the Chapel Bridge

Back on the bus for a ride in the countryside (where Roger Federer's family live). It was so pretty with all the farmhouses...

We met up with Hans and his horse and cart and he took us for a ride through a little village then to his farmhouse...

Hans's wife had made some traditional afternoon tea for us - fresh apple juice, cheese, wine and some beautiful pear pastries... 

Bob our tour guide at Hans's  Storehouse

They also had a lovely flower garden and were growing Edelweiss... 

I got to ride back in the small cart with a very nice man named Hugo and his pony Nicky... 

Even though we were not a long way from Lucerne it took 1 and 1/2 hours to get back as we got stuck in a traffic jam and heavy rain - hard to believe after such a beautiful morning. Back to our stark Hotel and then the group separated into 3 different restaurants... 

We sat in the lobby on the red chairs (the only bit of colour in the whole area) and used wifi for a while and then packed up for our next move.