It was fitting that lakes played a huge part in my final week in Switzerland considering that I had had such a special relationship with the spectacular Pfaeffikersee! Always at its best at sunset.
Although Pfaeffikon is constantly changing with some fairly ugly appartment blocks going up, as long as one looks towards the lake and the mountains, time stands still. How wonderful to once again sit by the lakeside, as I had done hundreds of times before, watching people of all ages passing by , all totally enthralled by the gorgeous view. I took my book down with me to read, whilst waiting for my friends Carmen and Curt, but it would have been a crying shame not to give my full attention to the last glorious rays of sunshine creating masterpieces of art in reflections in the water.
After a great evening out with good friends and delicious pizza, it was an early start today to spend the day with my school friend Jonathan whom I met up with in Biel/Bienne, an interesting town right on the borders of the French and German parts of Switzerland. It was a wonderful day on the boat on three different lakes linked by canals. The little towns and villages along the way were very picturesque
And the vineyards clinging to the hillsides of The Jura with their autumnal colours were really beautiful. We enjoyed a small bottle of local white wine on the top deck of the boat, with fabulous scenery, silky smooth waters, wonderfully pleasant temperatures and an incredible cloudless blue sky!
After several restful hours on the boat we had time for a quick visit to the pretty little medieval town of Murten
followed by a meal of fish and chips overlooking the lake and boat.
After another short boat trip we landed at Neichatel, new castle, where the castle is anything but new, actually dating back to the twelfth century.
Unfortunately, we could not look inside the buildings but the courtyard itself was very impressive and extremely colourful and beautifully decorated.
The cathedral next door is huge, but half of it is being renovated and closed off. The other half looked magical with the coloured rays from the stained glass lighting up the grey pillars
A super day catching up with an old friend and at the same time seeing something new.
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