Mannheim to Lucerne

We were off by 7.30 am and we drove for a few hours before a short stop. We eventually entered the Black Forrest area which was very pretty. This is the home of the Cuckoo clock industry. We were given a demonstration on how the clocks were made and then were free to have a wander. We decided to buy one and arranged to have it shipped home...

 A visit to the area is not complete without a piece of Black Forrest cake...

After a bit of lunch we went for a walk into the forrest .  Peter and I spotted a little hut up on a hill and found a path up to it. It was a nice view over the area we were visiting...

Can just see little hut on the hill

World's largest cuckoo clock

Back on the bus and we crossed the border in Switzerland...

 Our first stop in Switzerland was the Rhine Falls. These were quite spectacular but we wished we had more time to be able to go out on the boat for a close up view...

 We passed by the outskirts of Zurich on our way to Lucerne. We stopped and looked at the Lion Monument which is carved into a limestone cliff and is dedicated to the Swiss guards who died defending the King during the French Revolution...

Next up was a happy hour cruise on Lake Lucerne on this boat...

The weather was a bit drizzly but the views were still stunning...

We checked into our motel which was very unusual with an extremely stark reception area and then our rooms were all white - white bed, white walls, white furniture. Peter and I went for a quick walk and got rained on. Then a group of us went to a Swiss restaurant  for a "Swiss evening". Our meal started with a very rich cheese fondue - full of alcohol I think!!   

Peter and Dad were pretty happy with their litre jug of beer... 

 It was certainly a very interactive evening with the Swiss and their traditions. Peter went on stage and had a go at blowing an Alpenhorn...

 Dad went on stage and did some yodelling...

And then all the yodellers had to scull beer...

 The Swiss continued to entertain us with their unusual musical instruments, flag throwing, dancing and singing. A great night was had by all and we walked back to the motel via the beautiful Chapel Bridge...