The trip to Zurich was just another long flight. At least we had most of Monday at home so that we could watch the school cross country race. Both Deken and Mila won their races and we are all so proud of them. They ran to win and win they did. It's great to see that our grandchildren are growing up to enjoy sport and not too much time spent sitting looking at phones. We left New Plymouth at 6pm, had a wait of 4 hours in Auckland, then a 11 eleven hour flight to Shanghai. Air New Zealand was okay but not up there with the best we have travelled with in the past. We flew out of Shanghai over the huge sprawling city and surrounds and it was amazing to see how people have ... read more

It's was good day for a hike so we decided on our most favourite trail in this area which is from Schwarzwaldalp down to Meirengen. We got the subsidised bus up to Grosse Scheidegg which is a steep and winding ride with the claxon horn warning on bends and hidden parts of the road to oncoming traffic and bikes. The view from the Scheidegg is wonderful looking back down to Grindelwald in the distance. It sits right under the Wetterhorn mountain with sheer convoluted rock faces straight up like the Eiger. This countryside really is magnificent with soaring peaks and rock faces all around. Since we had the kids with us we got the bus down to Schwarzwaldalp where it flattens out and then is a few kilometres down to our destination. Our walk started across ... read more

After Brendan and Tracey's long trip to Milan yesterday we figured on keeping to something shorter and easier and the Lauterbrunnen Valley Circuit is always worthwhile as it can all be done on the Swiss Pass for transport. A walk up the valley is always lovely but this time we took the bus to Stechelburg well up towards the head of the valley. At the Seilbahn Station we got the cable car straight up the cliff to Murren where we had a slow wander through the car-less town looking across the valley towards the high alps and Wengen. This is a great area for hiking as it's well away from main routes. It is also the link station to the Schilthorn cable way. We had a picnic lunch in the middle of town (Swissies lose out ... read more

So much for the forecast for rain. Since it seems the weather is okay for the rest of the week we could factor in a hill top walk. We got the First gondola which leaves the village and arrives at the top at 2200m. From there we all walked to the Bacalpsee which is a small alpine lake against the end of the valley. Even though we've been there several times before we cannot help but be impressed by the panoramic view of the mountains and of the town far below. We were lucky enough to spot a marmot moving through the grass as these are shy creatures that keep well away from humans. First has a few other attractions added over recent years with an aerial walkway hooked onto the side of the cliffs, a ... read more

Since the weather was looking a little dicey we decided that visiting somewhere indoors was in order just in case. The forecast is okay out of the mountains in the morning but raining with possible thunderstorms in the affternoon. The rain took the sting out of the heat so it is much more comfortable to move about in. We took the train to Thun and walked into the city. It being Sunday, of course everything is shut apart from transport and eating places. The first sight we saw was men surfing waves on the river by the old bridge and flood control gates. This is a bit weird to see in a city away from any beach. The covered bridges in Thun are shorter versions of those in Lucern and just as pretty with flowers decked ... read more