Day 4 - Cow Bells and Castles

Started the day by going to the local boulangerie, which is like as bakery/cafe.  Audrey ended up with a salmon sandwich for breakfast because she couldn't speak french.  We then set out to La Sarraz which is a small town that had a bell foundry.  They cast solid brass cow bells in all sizes and Tammy couldn't resist.  These bells are famous all over Switzerland and are really used on cows in the Swiss Alps.  Tammy was the only one to purchase one, because Ann already has two. 

Next we drove to the castle city of Gruyeres.  The drive was amazing, although the mountains were missing due to dense fog above us.  All along the road were terrace after terrace of vineyards.  The city of Gruyeres has a single cobbled street lined with medieval houses in perfect condidtion. This town is car free and we had to walk to enter it.  Some of the front doors were dated in the 1500's.  The chateaux and church were breathe taking.  Did a little shopping and then had a fondue lunch on the terrace with a view of the Chateaux.

We then continued our journey over to Montreux where we did a self guided tour of a medival castle.  Chateau de Chillon is a 12th century castle that was literally built on the rocks at the water's edge of  lake Geneva.  It was built on Roman foundations.  It served for many years as a prison.  One of its most famous prisoners was Francois Bonivard. Lord Byron visited Chillon and thus wrote the poem "The Prisoner of Chillon" based on Bonivard's imprisonment.  We saw ceilings from the 15th century, weapons, courtyards and much more.  It was just amazing to be standing in something so old and filled with so much history. 

On the drive back home we actually drove on a road that went thru a farmers property; right between his building.  Crazy!

Dinner was at a Thai restraurant. When Europeans do dinner, it's not about eating as much as about the socializing.  Our reservation was for 7:30pm and this was our table for the rest of the night.  Restraurants will typically only seat one set of guests at each table for the entire evening.  You don't just eat and run.  It is truly an event.  We didn't leave until 9:45pm.  We had a great time just talking and enjoying our meal.

Tomorrow, Scott leaves for China, so after Ann takes him to the airport we will be on the road again.  Can't even begin to think how many miles (kilometers) we have walked.

More tomorrow.