Tuesday 23rd August 2011

An Appenzell Day

A Local Appenzeller Train ~Yes, they really do run on time!~

The cable car at Jakobsbad ~This is where we intend to go tomorrow~

To the mountain top at Kronberg It needs to be an early start as the midday temperature today was 31 degrees

A shady café where we had lunch today in Appenzell

Percy looking relaxed

We were lucky enough to be in the town when the cows, complete with cow-bells arrived accompanied by their farmers and children.

Proper Heidi stuff; I'm sure I spotted Grandfather and Peter

The cows are brought down to the valleys at this time of year from the high pasture and it is a lovely sight.

You do have to watch your step afterwards until the shop keepers have washed down the streets, followed by the municipal street washer!!!

The river running through Appenzell

Driving on from Appenzell to Urnasch Village we came across the cows again on their trip.

Urnasch Village

Another view of Urnasch

Local scenery: This part of Switzerland is a very green and gentle place with friendly locals who are sympathetic to our attempts at Swiss German, High German or even Franglais when we get totally stuck

Lovely evening meal with Derrick and Karen at their house outside

Monday 22nd August

This is a local path where Derrick & Karen walk their dogs

We went for an early walk but didn't go far as it was so hot. This is Engelburg where Derrick & Karen live.

The postman filling up the post boxes for the housesPercy sitting by Derrick & Karen's pond in their front garden
yes that is grass on the roof

Engelburg

We then drove into St Gallen

St Gallen Cathedral

One heck of a wardrobe

Nice selection of bikes

Back at the house now and have had a swim, ice-cream in the garden

Sunday 21st August

Woke at 7.40 and slowly got moving and went down for breakfast; a very good buffet spread and we ate well, Fresh fruit, eggs, cold meats, cheeses, various breads, yoghurts, cereal, fruit juices and a selection of teas.

Set off at 9.50 for the short trip to Mulhouse and into Switzerland at Basel then two hours across via Zurich to St Gallen. We stopped once at services but arrived at Derrick & Karen's at about 1pm.

Michael was here for the weekend, so we saw him and had a very nice lunch.

Went for a swim at the pool in the housing area then had a walk around the local area before drinks on the patio for the evening.

It's lovely to see them again and have a good chat.

Pictures to follow tomorrow

Saturday 20th August

We landed at Caen at 6.45 and were soon on our way. Pictures will follow soon.

We had breakfast as a picnic and then later stopped at a supermarket for a baguette and cheese for lunch.

Hotel for the night in Burnhaupt le Haut was lovely and we had a lovely meal on the terrace,

A long and tiring day and very hot with the car thermometer showing 32.5 degrees, thank goodness we got the air con mended.

Friday 19th August

Getting packed now for the overnight ferry on MV Mont St Michel from Portsmouth to Caen


This is the boat and we have a cabin for the two of us with a shower and toilet.