Wine ships and farewells in Zurich and Pfaeffikon

What wonderful days I have had with my friends. I have not felt too busy and strangely enough not too sad - yet 😌 knowing I will see Mark and David and Kiwi friends soon, plus returning next year in May helps a lot.

Thursday, wine ships in Zurich and before that a last visit for 2016 to my favourite little restaurant, chetis, where you can always be sure of a friendly welcome and very tasty food!

As I sat eating I could not help noticing how the light on the ceiling cast fabulous patterns on to the glasses on the bar!

 

The walk across the new square by the Opera house was gorgeous. It was such a warm day and the square beautifully empty!

 

The 63 rd time for the wine ships! Amazing to think they started this event when I was 2 years old. I have enjoyed visiting the ships over the past 6 years.

 

What a fantastic setting to drink good wine from around the world. 

 

I spent the afternoon at the New Zealand stand and then enjoyed Spanish and Italian wines with Guto and Dennis in the evening.  It was such fun 😀

 

 

Farewell party in Pfaeffikon. Before friends arrived I had time to enjoy the lovely view and autumn colours  from the balcony

 

It was brilliant that I could have this little get together at Nik and Irene's beautiful flat. 

 

Now I am writing this on the rooftop of Singapore airport. So great to break the journey here. 

 

First, an incredible five and a half hours of  heavenly sleep in my luxurious room in terminal one.  I could have invited along some extras if I had known!

 

Then, as always, my swimming pool visit. I cannot believe that so few people use these amazing facilities.  The water and outside temperatures are perfect. Will enjoy a few hours here before going to the waterlily and butterfly gardens. 

  

I now have a cute little neighbour! A real poser!

 

Now getting very excited about the prospect of seeing Mark and David really soon. It was so sad to bid farewell to Marco, Dennis and Guto at the airport  but good to know we will meet again soon . 

How lucky I am!

Pfaeffikersee

I am so thankful that I have time this week to once more enjoy meeting friends in this spectacular area and to relax. Autumn is my favourite season and this year autumnal colours seem more intense and dazzling than usual.

 

It was great to have a visit for the day from Jonathan, a friend from high school, who lives in Geneva. He had never been here before and was of course impressed by the beauties and amenities Pfaeffikon has to offer. We had a super walk around the lake with a stop at Jucker's for lunch. It was incredible how many people were there on a Tuesday! Luckily the pumpkin display was still there and in surprisingly good shape considering it has been up for months.

 

From the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento to temples of pumpkins! Equally impressive and beautiful!

 My favourite tree - even more golden than a few days ago!

 

Thebeautiful reeds lit up by the last rays of the sun

 

I think this will probably be the last sunset I will enjoy this year at my lovely lake. So many thousands of photos and yet I still find this view , the tranquility and the evening hues captivating. 

 

Looking towards the mountains was equally breathtaking and the soft pastel colours so restful.

 

I am just returning from a wonderful day in Zuoz preparing for next year. How marvelous to know I will be back there next year with my brilliant teams of teachers and assistants.

On the way home I saw this sign, celebrating 65 years. They have been amazing years and I am looking forward to the next!

 

Tomorrow wine ships and tasting. Will continue blogging!

The end of this year's amazing trips

 

I truly feel I have lived life to the full since I set off on my  travels to Brittany early in May. Of course , before that my travels had already started but my blog began  only after I retired and I was given my mini Ipad. I am so grateful for this generous gift which has given me hours of immense pleasure raccounting the amazing experiences I have had. Previously I kept a diary, but now it is even better with photos as well and of course the fact that I have kept close to my friends and been able to share these wonderful moments through my blog.

After about five and a half months of travel, broken in summer by my time in Zuoz, my breath is still taken away by the marvels of nature along with the architectural and man- made  wonders of this world. 

 

Today was no exception as I headed back to Russikon for the last 9 days before I fly back home towards the two most important people in my life, Mark and David, and of course many friends I have not seen for a long time.  What a brilliant day it has been even considering the many train changes with a very sore knee and carrying quite a bit of luggage. This was certainly a golden finish!

 

I was really lucky on the train to Lecco to meet a great English guy with his daughter. As the train was running late I had to dash for the connection in Lecco. It would have been impossible if he had not carried my case and kept the door open for me. Two hours wait at what looked like a beautiful place on the lake may not have been so bad but I do not fancy arriving too late.

The trip to Tirano through the valleys , with their slopes  covered with vineyards , was fabulous, but the best, the Bernina Pass, was still to cone.

Miralago, just outside Poschiavo, looked more gorgeous than ever with the clear blue skies, the snow-capped peKs in the distance  and magnificent autumn colours.

 

As we climbed towards Alp Grum the colours became even more intense and the views towards Poschiavo and Italy in the distance, more and more spectacular.

 

Alp Grum, one of my favourite places, lovely at any time of the year, took my breath away with its fantastic larches , clothed in their phenomenal autumn colours.

 

Lago Bianco was not, as it is in winter, white,  but silver looking towards the sun and

 

Turquoise in the other direction. Awesome.

 

Over the Pass and down towards Morteratsch Glacier, one of the most breathtaking sights on this fabulous journey. Again, the larches, though almost past their best, splashed further colour onto this perfect picture.

 

One side of me yearned to stay, but given the fact I cannot walk too well today, I realise a sedate train journey is probably better! It is wonderful to sit and truly appreciate autumn in the Engadine.

As I write this I am enjoying this fantastic stretch between Pontresina and Chur!

 I

Now I am nearly home. This is a place I must visit next year, reichenau Tamins. Looked fabulous in the late afternoon light. 

 

So, now I am home after a long day of 2 buses, 1 funicular, and 7 trains! I  am not really looking forward to the next days, although it will be lovely to see many of my friends before I leave. It will be hard saying so many 'goodbyes'. Still, I will be back mid to end of May and my blog will not lie dormant in that time! As well as that, I have a number of visitors due in NZ so the travelling will certainly continue 😀

Bergamo and environs

After a fantastic sleep at high altitude , top of the tower, it was great to look down on the world below from my room.

 

Throughout the old town with its narrow cobbled streets there are wonderful shops in very old buildings. This snack bar was amazing. Believe it or not, I have not been in it. Don't think I would trust myself!

 

I photograpged this restaurant  last night but did not see this great picture.

 

After once again being stupid enough to slip on the cobbles and land on my knees,  I struggled a bit with stairs but made it to the Orto botanico. I am so pleased I did as it was fabulous. We were there alone and so had all the time in the world to stop and stare. The early morning rain looked gorgeous on the grasses there.

 

Then, luckily for us, we found ourselves above the fog which was cloaking  the town in ghostly shrouds. What breathtaking scenery!

 

As we were close to the funicular to San Vigilio, we took advantage of the better visibility. The little funicular was really cute.

 

We had wonderful views over the surrounding hills and pretty colourful houses

 

And on the other side, views of Bergamo Alta and Bassa. Bergamo Alta looks fabulous on the top of the hill - sadly the light was not great, but actually we were lucky, because just before we left the fog  returned

 

I thought these toadstools looked like pretty little girls ( one- legged!) in frilly dresses and  with little sunhats 🙂

 

Scary statues close to the Piazza Vecchia.

 

Because I was hobbling a bit and also because it was recommended highly, I visited the Museum of the Venetian Age. It was a wonderful interactive museum showing many aspects of how people used to live at the time of the 'most serene  republic of Venice'.  It took ages to read everything in Italian, but the very pleasant, young, good - looking guide, who adored the South Island of NZ and of course The All Blacks, was always ready to assist me😌

 

 

I had a brilliant time there.

Then on to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiors - very ornate - 

 

And the Duomo which was still very impressive but much less ornate.

 

Tea drinking in the Piazza Vecchia was fun. Lots of interestimg people to watch and a very unusual cup - don't think my Mum would have approved!

 

As I write this I am sitting in the bar which has this poster! I will try not to look like the dog when I keave!  Very good Chardonnay from the region. I can't cope  with the over 60 stairs to the room twice this evening - my excuse for being here and not in my room!

 

 

Nice place and right on main drag for people watching . Perfect!

Great meal put and another amazing shop window.

 

Iseo

What a fabulous start to the day after a blissful sleep ! Flamiio had promised us a surprise and it certainly was, as we went on to the veranda and saw the colourful market stalls below us. Marvelous.

 

It was very special to eat breakfast on the veranda above the bustle of the market. Super start!

 

How I love these terracotta colours!

 

Flamino just loves people and the area in which he lives. After breakfast we were whisked around the pretty little town to see some places tourists rarely see. One was the inside of an office in a building over 800 years old which had recently been renovated but the ancient ceilings left intact. They were magnificent. What a place to work!

 

Human art and nature's artistry. The bark of this tree below was exceptionally beautiful.

 

Flamino dropped us at the start of a walk around a nature reserve. I was so thrilled to get close to this swampy area I had seen from the train. 

We were surprised to encounter some very tame rabbits, who seemed totally unfazed by our presence.

 

Despite overcast skies, this tranquil area still had that Wow factor with the fantastic autumnal colours, the layers of silhouettes of the hills shrouded in low cloud and the gorgeous reflections in the still waters.

 

Breathtaking views even with the cloud!

 

Lakes with the vegetation reflected in them, all around us!

 

And then the heavens opened and I was thrilled at last to put on my super fashionable raincoat I had received when I went to watch Romeo and Juliet at the Thuner See. I have been carrying it around with me for months! I can't say it gave me a lot of protection, but it made everyone smile😀

 

Joy luckily did not notice this masterpiece of camouflage! I did and was rather quick to go past it. As I did, it reared up like a scorpion, but Flamino says they have none there and it is too cold. Will have to check it out when I have time. I was pleased to be wearing good walking boots and long trousers!

We were quite sad to say farewell to Flaminio, who had made us so welcome. I am sure I will come back next year. There is a lot to explore here.

 

After a short train journey here we are in Bergamo which is split into a lower and higher Bergamo, with the oldest buildings being in the higher, Alta.. We are staying in the Citta Alta in a tower. It is incredible, and excellent training for the stairs in Zuoz. I am at the top of the tower!

 

Pretty nice, eh!

 Oops! There are bells in the tower! Just like living in Pfaeffikon again. Glad I have earplugs with me.