We did a bit of exploring round the old city first then had lunch in Le Vaudois in the city centre, a typically Swiss restaurant serving local delicacies. I ordered crispy rosti with bacon and Jim chose a pork and cabbage sausage served with a potato and leek mix. My rosti was served in a black pan and was crispy and tasty with smoked bacon and egg on top. Jim's sausage was, 'Rose pink, about 7 inches long and 3 inches thick and looked like a bulls .....' His words, not mine. If you could have seen his face..... When he cut into it a pale liquid emerged, it was soft and soggy inside and had obviously been boiled. His potato and leek were also quite soggy. Now, I thought his meal was quite nice, but he sulked like a five year old and kept comparing it unfavourably to school dinners! After, grudgingly paying 64 Swiss francs, about £43, for said lunch we took a stroll along the waterfront.
We paid a visit to the International Olympics Committee in a glorious setting overlooking the lake. The sculptures and gardens are really lovely and everywhere is so neat and litter free.
Not quite sure what James is trying to prove.....
From Lausanne we headed to Geneva, or should I say we by-passed it, and made our way to Gaillard in France, a pretty little town, a suburb of Geneva, where the hotels are all much cheaper! The receptionist told us that many French work in Geneva because the wages are so much higher but that then pushes up house prices in the towns around the border. Switzerland is very expensive, but then the average salaries are up to three times those earned in France.
The next day we explored Gneva old town and it's glitzy shopping centres. I know it was freezing, and that colours your judgement, but it didn't seem to have any particular redeeming features, just another city.
Jim went and sat on the, 'longest bench in the world.' Hmmm, well if that's your claim to fame....
The lake is very beautiful and the jet d'eau impressive.
Following our sense of disappointment we thought about moving on the next day but agreed to give Geneva another try, admittedly it was a bank holiday- Ascension Day, and it was very quiet. Oh, and the sun was shining. It was like a different place. We took a tour round the Palace des Nations, the United Nations are located in a beautiful old art deco building and it was fascinating and so interesting. The corridors, and various committee rooms display art works donated by member countries of the UN.
We spent the afternoon people watching and eating sublime ice-cream in Carouge, built by the King of Sardinia for Catholics and Jews. It's got low Italianate houses and quirky shops which house independent fashion designers, jewellery designers and artists. A pleasant way to fill an afternoon.
Friday, 18th May - a brilliant diversion on the way to Zurich, we looked round the Chateau de Chillon, a mediaeval castle. We were like kids running up and down stairs, along corridors, hiding behind great big chests! It is a great place with stunning views across Lake Geneva to the Alps.
Next stop - Zurich.
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