NEWSLETTER SWITZERLAND SIGGY AND HEATHER EUROPE 2017 FRIDAY, 14 JULY 2017

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1 NEWSLETTER SWITZERLAND Wine Country I must admit that I have never heard of Swiss wine and we were quite surprised to see such a large area given over to the crop. The countryside we travelled through today was simply magnificent - so clean and well kept. Gauging by the many stone/concrete terraces it would seem that grapes have been growing here for many centuries. At one point we spied the most magnificent buildings amongst the terracing and detoured up onto the terraced area. SIGGY AND HEATHER EUROPE 2017 FRIDAY, 14 JULY 2017 Lac Leman (Geneva) We decided to travel further afield today along the northern coast of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) to the famous Chateau de Chillon. It is located near Montreux, on the far north east corner of the lake. We took the freeway but were still able to view the luscious green countryside filled with terraced grape vines and crops such as sunflower. Our first stop was the Montreux waterfront. It is lined with stately 19th century hotels. The stall lined walkway was beside crystal clear, turquoise waters. The Friday market was not in full swing, but the stroll was very pleasant along this flower strewn pathway. It is referred to as the Chemin Fleuri - the flower path. The views to the southern (French) side of the lake were magnificent. The mountains rose sharply and were fringed with wispy clouds. It appears to be much less populated than the northern, sun kissed side. INTERESTING CUSTOM We have encountered this European custom before - separate linen on a double bed. No argument about His and Hers!! BUSINESS NAME? I have to assume Muller is a quality business. I smile to myself whenever I see this logo - this is my mother s maiden name. Page 9 F R E D D Y M E R C U R Y? Had to laugh watching tourist after tourist get a p h o t o o f themselves with this statue of singing legend F r e d d y Mercury.

2 Life in medieval times Chateau de Chillon Chateau de Chillon sits magestically on the edge of the lake. It s a 13th century fortress and consists of a maze of courtyards, towers and halls. We had a great time clambering through and up the many walkways. The spooky gothic dungeons, with their rock floors, extremely high vaulted ceilings and little access to light would certainly have been a place you did not want to be a guest. The one large opening you can see opposite was for access and removal of unwanted things such as bodies. There are lots of exhibits and displays which help interpret the history of an extremely interesting period - the Middle Ages. It was apparently a time of significant advances and inventions which are now part of our current, everyday lives - spectacles, forks, soap, glass window panes, printing, buttons, the compass and the use of explosive munitions (first used in China of course) amongst others. The exhibits were extremely informative and well explained in multiple languages. We saw toilets that opened to the lake - the ultimate long-drop, many huge fire places with their cooking utensils, lovely carved furniture, an explanation of fighting techniques, building and construction and lots more. We lunched on the foreshore beside the lake - a most pleasant time was had by all. CASTLE COMPLEX The Scale of Things It is hard to appreciate the height of mountains unless you are up close and personal. This photograph does not do justice to that but is does give some feeling of how pleasant it was to stroll the flower path. Page 10

3 PHOTOS The legendary writer and thinker Byron visited this castle and wrote the poem The Prisoner of Chillon. Amazing to see the freeway supported on relatively small pylons flying overhead Rougemont church and cemetery - it was high in the mountains above Montreaux Page 11

4 We are all fascinated by the cow bells. We saw lots of traditional Swiss houses on the road up to Rougemont Page 12

5 Tour Group Master Chef A fresh food fanatic Cheryl is always on the lookout for a bargain in the food department. She has the natural knack of finding specials in any grocery store or market, and is able to cook up a delicious meal from limited ingredients or leftovers found in the larder or fridge. Exotic dishes and all manner of tastes are catered for by this expert foodie. Can whip up the most amazing tasty meal in a mater of minutes. Mechanic/Cleaner Having a cleaner and maintenance man on your team can be a godsend. The most practical mind in the business Garry is able to fix almost anything with precision and innovation, even when tools are not readily available. Whether its a poorly functioning vacuum cleaner or changing a light globe Gary is always on call. He is anal about cleanliness and will tackle those jobs that are left for others to do. Tour Guide Heather continually enjoys a challenge. If you want a satisfying trip with lots of different experiences then Heather is ready to make things happen for you. Her ability to undertake in-depth research and come up with alternatives or viable options to ensure you get the experience you crave is legendary. No stone is left unturned in her effort to ensure a most awesomely memorable trip. Chauffeur/ Documentor With countless hours of experience driving in all conditions, situations and vehicles Siggy is able to navigate any vehicle through the smallest of gaps or over the scariest of roads. His ability to calculate distances in a split second is vital whether driving on the left or the right hand side of the road. His daily newsletters are filled with graphic detail and magnificent photos for everyone to share. Page 13