Land of yummy brown bread and mountains

HE SAID .... We left Milan last sunday for Zermatt in Swiss land. Before i start on that i must mention my take on the visit to Duomo of Milan the day before. As Janet said, our timing was good enough to witness some of the traditional old catholic pomp and ceremony and attire they continue to use here. Obviously the service was in Italian  which some will agree is close to Latin. I found out time there that day quite moving on a personal level. It reminded me of my days as an alter boy when the whole mass was in Latin. This service sounded so much more "religious" in Italian. Really deep stuff eh?       

...Yep, our tough Mike showed his true colours! We’ve had a few special moments in churches on the trip, lighting a candle for Tina’s gran when she died, and another couple for friends and family at special places along the way, and some nice, quiet reflective times.

..... and yes, really beautiful brown bread in Switzerland.

Anyway, from Milan we had a great day changing trains and finally ending up in Zermatt. The train ride into Zermatt really is quite special and hard to adequately describe, so i won’t....come and see the pictures!!

Zermatt must be one of the best places to visit, there are no cars here as such only heaps of electric golf cart type thingies. see photo. Our accommodation really was special and no more than Janet deserved for this, her 48th birthday. We awoke early the next day, opened the windows and "SMACK'. There it was, the Matterhorn, bathed in sunlight (not the dish wash) as if ordered. Same thing the next day.  If anyone had of skyped us we could have shown you.

                .... I had an awesome birthday, one I won’t forget for a long time. Thanks everyone for the birthday greetings, and my very special photo from school.  Extra special having all the family together at Mark and Tina’s place for dinner to skype  xxxx

Day one we wandered around the village and had a meal/drinks etc and just soaked up the place.
                ..... we gave everyone something to look at, we were the only ones wearing jandals instead of hiking boots.

Day 2 we jumped on the special cogged mountain train to Gornagrat. Easy to write but harder to experience. We had a great day travelling to 3089 m above sea level, having a good look around continually under the watchful eye of the Matterhorn.

...Michael’s vertigo is well and truly conquered.  Made friends with a English watercolour painter selling his prints, who had been to NZ and would have been happy talking to us all day.

Google this place. There are a number of stations on the way and upon our return we rather foolishly decided to walk between two of them. For every step forward it felt like a foot down. You think DC has probs, i think every muscle from the groin to the inside of my small toe was sore by the time we levelled off.

                ... it was great, peaceful, beautiful, only other very tiny people in the distance ... only me to talk to!  Saw a real live brown squirrel!  I gave Michael my rendition of some songs from the Sound of Music (nebver was one of his favourite shows – he’ll never think of it the same again.

The train on the way down is equally impressive. During the day of course we were surrounded by many trampers, hikers, mountain bikers (we met a couple of mad buggers at the top, covered in protective gear, who were about to race down. One had been to HVHS as an exchange student, small world eh?).  Also the odd handglider

                ... Mr W may have purchased something rather large to bring home!

Last day in Zermatt, up early, Matterhorn still there, following a great breakfast ( the bacon here is fabulous) off on the Glacier Express. This was to be a highlight for us and something we had both looked forward to. The train is mostly glass with a small strip of roof so visibility is everything. Bright sunny day, no excuses? This was a great day for us, this part of Switzerland is very beautiful, much like bits of Nu Zeld but more of it.

                .. the train wasn’t full, so we were all seat hopping to look at everything, and so much to look at.  A few stops to get off and stretch the legs, smell the fresh mountain air.....

They call this the slowest express train ride in the world probably because the train goes further up than along, mainly running on Cogs using a rack and pinion system. Interesting stuff but you are either into trains or not? (Me, I’m a slot car fan). We have heaps of rail shots for John Bertram (Janet’s dad), our family rail enthusiast.

                ..... you’ll be impressed dad, Michael’s been on hands and knees, half under trains, got told off for being on tracks getting lots of photos for you, and another suitcase with reading literature!

Late in the day of Janet’s birthday, we arrived in St Moritz. The Hotel is next to the railway station and borders the Lake, another great find by Janet. After checking in, finding out their WiFi was next to useless, we found the bar (and a very friendly young man – Kristy – could be an option, if the Swiss Guard from the Vatican doesn’t pan out) and ordered a meal. We had Rosti’s. Very nice!!!! We were both quite tired (visual stimulation) so just to make sure I popped a couple of Calandas’ and I had a great sleep.

Must mention the TG sheets we had, stunning!

Next morning, another early start. Breakfast made me feel quite homesick. We walked in and there, on the tables, MUGS.  At last, a decent cup of tea for Janet. I don’t know why but I have started drinking coffee in the morn. When in Europe...........

Today it was the Bernina Express. After a small presentation of a small sewing machine each, off we went. This train journey crosses the alps, up and over the top, not through. Personally, i found this trip magic and at least on a par with the day before. The train journey is from St Moritz to Tirano.

                ...... definitely a highlight, scenery, engineering, thrill factor , sharing roads with cars right through the main streets of towns.....

The next section was by Bernina coach from Tirano to Lugano. This was incredible also and when we arrived in Lugano the driver got a standing ovation.

.... thrilling ride in places, the bus horn signalling continuously on narrow, blind corners, cars and trucks squeezing past each other, or reversing out of our way, (only one ‘hit’ – hopefully just a wing mirror) all done very close to building or cliffs.  Very exciting.  Michael can’t wait to be a coach driver over here!

Last train section Lugano to the graffiti capital of the world, Milan.