Anne and I were guests in Switzerland at a town north of Zurich. Our friends have an executive apartment in Klingnall overlooking the Aare river. The view from their 7th storey dwelling is breathtaking.

We travelled mostly by car over 1000kms all over Switzerland with an unbelievable train journey over the Alps in the Glacier Express. This is, I believe the only train in the world which travels the steepest slopes on a ratchet railway line.

An exceptionally full day was spent on a passenger ship on the lake of Lucerne, stopping at many villages and settlement with on and off passengers.The mansions on the side of the lake are mostly for the million dollar tourists. (We did not overnight there!!)

We tasted the most delicious cherries – large, black and scrumptious. We visited a cherry farm as well – what a treat. Of course our Rand is rather pitiful. Coffee is +- 30-50 rands for cup. Their toilets are so clean – a lot of spit and polish by the “toilet maid” who open the door, polishes and sprays and almost wishes you well. At the posh toilets the charge is exorbitant – from R15-R20. Its cheapest for males!

We must have visited dozens of towns and cities, towns and villages in an excellent 9 year old Peugeot with about 300,000 kms and in immaculate condition, it still looks a few months old.

Written by: Derek Ochse