To Baden-Württemberg area Germany

Our destination today was to head north to Germany. The countryside was lovely and the villages were pretty so it made for an interesting drive. 

Along the way we stopped for walk around the old town of Buren an der Aare in Switzerland. There were lovely colourful buildings. 

We walked across the historic wooden bridge. 

The castle was built in 1625 as the official residence for the bailiff.

Just before the border to Germany in Koblenz, we stopped in à Lidl store to spend some CHF (Swiss francs). 

We then continued to Tiengen in the Baden-Württemberg area where we had a quick stroll to stretch our legs. The town’s landmark is the Storchenturm (named after the stork nest that was once on top of the tower), a corner post of the old fortifications, built in the 1300’s. 

We found a spot for the night in the small town of Stuhlingen 

We couldn’t resist a quick peek in the church. We did some planning for the next few weeks. 

Our favourite Lidl biscuit..

175km .. 

Saint Blaise Switzerland

Leaving Basel around 9am we took the back roads ie the non toll roads to Saint Blaise where my uncle lives on the shores of Lake Neuchatel. It was a lovely drive through the countryside, hills and gorges. 

We arrived around 11:30am. It’s an emotional reunion as it’s the first time coming back to my mother’s home town after her passing last year. As soon as we arrive we head up to the chalet in Chaumont/Mont Rose. My grandfather bought the land and built the chalet as a summer retreat for his young family (5 children) and so my mum had spent many summers here. It’s wonderful that it is still in the family and Hans’s (husband to mums twin sister Rosette) children and grandchildren are still using it. We spent a lovely afternoon, enjoying a marvellous lunch with my cousins Laurent (and 2 of his children) and David. 

The next morning we walked a short distance to the church where my mum and dad got married in 1968. 

And the school she went to.

Later we meet up again with family to have lunch in the gorgeous French and German medieval village of Morat/Murten.  As we walked through one of the open gateways of the city walls that protect the old town we were greeted by the sound of the alphorns. They are several meters long and were traditionally used for communication in the mountainous regions of Europe. 

We enjoyed a delicious lunch. Mark was again very happy with his schnitzel that was named elephant ear.. maybe due to its size. 

Afterwards we had a much needed stroll and went up on the village walls that offered interesting views over the roof tops.

We then walked down to the lakes edge and treated ourselves to some yummy ice cream.

Our day ended with some reminiscing and looking at some old albums.

All too soon it was time to say goodbye and continue on our journey. 

120km in Switzerland 

Basel Switzerland

We spent a lovely day catching up with Gilbert, Gabi, Claudine, Urs and Tania in Basel. We enjoyed many laughs and good chats. 

We even managed to get some sightseeing done. This time we went to have a look at the very impressive red sandstone Basel Minster with coloured roof tiles.

Inside was awe inspiring and there were many beautiful led light windows.

We stepped down into the crypt.

We also looked at the stone ruins of the Celtic fortified city that once stood here in the first century BC. We always like the architecture of the cloisters. 

There were many tombs, some of knights and other important persons.

We got great views of the Rhine River and the city from the outside terrace. People enjoy floating down the Rhine River in the summer and the little ferry can get you to the other side for a minimal fee. Notice the 2 ‘skyscrapers’  they are the 2 tallest buildings in Switzerland… there are plans to build a taller one.

From here we all had a new experience B1 rooftop bistro with 360° views of Basel. It only open in April this year. We were all taken by surprise when the friendly banter with the bar staff resulted in Gilbert getting a discount the value of his age … 86%. 

Since 1989 this 13.5m tall and 8 ton sculpture has been swinging his hammer. 

The Basel griffin - mythical beast of half lion, half eagle.

Dinner was at one of their favourite restaurants… Mark was happy to have his first schnitzel for these holidays.

The next morning we said our goodbyes after our coffee and made our way to Saint Blaise.

30km today.