Between the wind, rain, a greyhound that’s gotten too used to the bed and a next-door neighbour that decided to move on at four in the morning, it was not the best night sleep for anyone.  We woke still thinking of a trip on the train up to Jungfraujoch, but the 450 Euro price tag and the dodgy weather was causing all sorts of indecision.  

When the neighbours from camper next door emerged in the morning, they told us the views from a nearby mountain, the Rigi, were still pretty impressive anyway and with the clouds beginning to break up, we decided to go for it.  It was still a budget buster at 160 Euros but some things really have to be done. I’m so glad we did.

The views were impressive, the apple strudel in the restaurant was delicious and Chloe lost her tiny mind in the snow and kept us, and trainloads of Japanese tourists entertained.

It was getting late by the time we got down off the mountain and we headed for a park up not too far away.  My word, was the drive spectacular, and as we pulled up by a pristine river with enormous mountains towering over us, the landscape was almost intimidating.  The only other time I remember feeling like that was when I stood over the sluice gates at Eildon Dam (link here) as a child and I remember feeling so tiny.

There was a town close by and we thought that since we’ve already blown the budget, we might as well go out for dinner too.  Gurtnellen is a bit like a town that time forgot, and if it wasn’t for the main highway to Italy passing above the town, which is on the valley floor, it feels like it could have stayed in seclusion forever.

Unfortunately for us, the chef was on holidays but we spent a pleasant time with a couple of cold beers listening to the locals go about their business. Sleep came easily with the sound of the rushing river.