Mike and Wendy's holiday blog: Apr 22:Six Nations tour: France and Switzerland (23

Saturday 23 April

Decided to go via Port Lligat to see Dali's house but totally forgot it was the weekend - and there were no tickets left! But we had a wander anyway.

The tide came in up under the bridge but people didn't seem to be worried about moving their cars 🤣

Narbonne

147 miles

Not actually in Narbonne but 12 km away in Gruissan.

Loads of yachts - thousands!! Looks like some kind of posh yachting area.

Looks like it would be mad busy in summer - just a huge complex of apartments, shops and restaurants - along with hairdressers, spas and fitness centers - and at least one yacht or fancy boat for everyone!

Definitely not the quiet, beach side apartment I was expecting lol..🙄🤣🙄

Loo with a view.

Message from Isabel..

Looks like she still hasn't mastered making scones 😁

Sunday 24 April

Plenty of time today as we couldn't get into the room until 6pm so we took the scenic route. Very pretty but it took literally hours .

Stunning scenery with loads of avenues of plane trees, beautiful vineyards and gorgeous villages with tiny churches.

Montélimar

177 miles

Most places were shut but we managed to get some of the famous nougat. We wandered up to the chateau but didn't go in.

No photos as the light was very flat - and it rained on and off.

Monday 25 April

Bought bread before we set off. There was a bread dispensing machine outside filled with baguettes for when the shop was shut. Very impressed.

Then saw an outdoor washing and drying facility at the supermarket! Impressed again!

Stopped later for coffee and croissants at a picnic area on the motorway. Proper automated and locking toilets with soap, hot water and hand drier. All working. And all in a random outdoor area attached to the services! Very impressed again.

Lovely cloudscapes.

Geneva

182 miles

Staying in Gaillard a few km from Geneva.

Took the light railway/tram into Geneva. One was just coming in so we jumped on it - only to realise we hadn't bought tickets! Still couldn't work it out on the way back so we didn't get one then either.

The jet d'eau.

Announcement on the tram to have your mask ready when going over the border and entering France as their face covering policy was still in place. No need for masks in Switzerland. No one bothered - only a few wearing them (us included) anyway!

Walking round Geneva.

Tuesday 26 April

Geneva

A sightseeing day. The lake was beautiful in the sunshine.

Breakfast at the old (outdoor!) swimming pool - people were actually swimming there! Fondue, beer and wine - a good start to the day 😋

The woman on the table next to us left her food to fetch a serviette - and the sparrows were straight in!

I kept trying to wave them away but they were very cheeky. She thanked me profusely when she got back - even though they had managed to nick her bread! But we gave her some of ours so everyone was happy.

United Nations and the broken chair.

Loved this wall at the UN.

Tramline junction.

The cathedral was quite nondescript but the Maccabees chapel to the side was lovely!

Statues and nice buildings all over.

Floral clock and flowers.

View from our bedroom.

Tired out but we saw and did lots!

..but one thing we didn't do was pay for the tram!! On return journeys on either day we went in! We intended to but couldn't work out what to do so we left it thinking someone would check for tickets and we could sort it then - but noone did.

Though if we'd stayed in Geneva travel would have been free on the card you get when booking in - so we didn't feel too bad about it.

Wednesday 27 April

Drove through Geneva on our way to the motorway. Last look at the jet d'eau.

Breakfast stop at the side of Lake Geneva.

Even the dog poo bins are well organised with plenty of fresh bin bags.

There was a little free library outside too - I took some books and left some of my mixed media abandonment art.

Bern

Walked into the old town. A charming city.

I didn't expect Bear Bridge to have a real bear enclosure with several brown bears!

Loads of fountains - all with colourful statues on them.

Beautiful buildings.

Town hall.

Cathedral - from the outside, it was shut when we arrived.

A lovely day!

Thursday 28 April

The 'clouds' in the distance were actually snow covered mountains - well we are in Switzerland 😁

The view from our window was down to the national equine centre. Lots of 🐴 but no pics.

View the other way.

We walked into Bern again for breakfast (salted croissants - different!) and another look round.

Went on the funicular - small and close to the ground so not scary!

Cathedral (no 8) had stunning stained glass windows. Most intricate and vibrant I've ever seen I think.

Visit to Einstein's house - where he lived with his family for a short time.

..and then the cafe for a light lunch (not light on the pocket £5 for a coke!!)

Cracks in pavement painted over ❣️

Lots of little shops and businesses below ground level.

Blue sky.

Lovely - expensive - cakes, chocolates and pastries.

Basel

Short journey to Arlesheim just outside Basel.

Lovely hermitage and grotto.

Friday 29 April

Basel

Took the tram into the city. Cathedral (no 9) - well minster

Town hall.

Looking at the town hall from McDonald's across the street!

Jean Tinguely museum.

I climbed part way up on this machine but chickened out on the highest bit and came back down again 😁

Went for a meal locally in the evening and tried wine from Arlesheim - very nice!

Saturday 30 April

We set off confidently following the sat nav - until it stranded us at the international airport just outside Basel! It was actually quite interesting though as we seemed to be at the point where France, Switzerland and Germany meet.

Once we sorted that little problem out we decided to stop at Colmar as we had plenty of time. It is known as 'Little Venice' because if its canals and architecture - it has been both French and German over time.

A lovely place with interesting streets and buildings.