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Gros-de-Vaud District

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    • TravelerDer Weg nach Santiago
      1
      Day 51

      Ein Meilenstein am Horizont

      April 20, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

      Nachdem Roby sich heute Früh etwas verfahren hat, sind wir erst gegen 8:30 wieder in Ecorcheboeuf, wo er uns gestern abgeholt hat. Dort verabschieden Jonas und ich uns von ihm und machen uns auf den Weg Richtung Lausanne. Es ist ein kalter Vormittag, aber zumindest bis mittags bleibt es weitgehend trocken.
      Zur Jause gibt es Karotten- und Selleriesalat von gestern Abend, den Denise uns mitgegeben hat.
      Schließlich eröffnet sich uns der Blick auf den Genfersee, der leider durch die Wolkendecke etwas getrübt wird. Trotzdem fühlt es sich für mich schlagartig wie ein großer Meilenstein an: ich habe die Schweiz fast hinter mir!      Read more

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    • TravelerDer Weg nach Santiago
      Day 50

      Die Ringgefährten

      April 19, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

      Jonas und ich machen Pause in einem kleinen Dorf, setzen uns auf eine Bank am Dorfplatz und essen eine Kleinigkeit. Als wir fertig sind, kommt Martin um die Ecke, den ich seit Rüeggisberg täglich mehrmals sehe, und schließlich auch Franz, der Schweizer, der seit Freiburg Teil unserer kleinen Pilgerschaar ist.
      "So sind die Ringgefährten wieder beisammen", kommentiert Jonas unser unverhofftes Aufeinandertreffen. Daraufhin wird Franz einstimmig zu Gimli erklärt, ich zu Legolas, Jonas ist Aragorn und Martin nenne ich schließlich Boromir, weil er der einzige von uns ist, der nicht bis Santiago geht, und damit die Truppe schon recht bald verlassen wird. Falls wir uns in Santiago Ringe schmieden lassen, wird er das leider nicht mehr miterleben.

      Wir genießen den Rest der Etappe in vollen Zügen und legen schließlich wenige Kilometer vor dem Ziel noch eine ausgedehnte Pause in der Sonne ein. Es ist einer dieser einfachen Momente, die man auf dem Camino so zu schätzen lernt.      Read more

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    • Carmel CarlsenVia Francigena - part 1
      521
      Day 53

      Day 50 - rest day (Orbe)

      June 9, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

      A very quiet and productive day today. All but two of my last nine nights' accommodation on the VF have been confirmed. I would have gone to see the Roman mosaics Orbe is famous for, but you can only do so on the weekend. If you look really closely at the photo with the tall industrial chimney in it, you can see the mountains in the, extreme, distance. P.S. all my accommodation is now confirmed - it's full steam ahead to Grand-Saint-Bernard Pass!!!!!!!!!! Also, I met Hans and his Dad last night for drinks!Read more

    • Carmel CarlsenVia Francigena - part 1
      422
      Day 52

      Day 49 - Jougne to Orbe

      June 8, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

      My first day in Switzerland was a real treat. Just as I was taking a photo of the Chapel of Saint Maurice (just outside of Jougne), I heard someone calling out my name! It was the Italian woman, Paola, and the Brit (who prefers to be anonymous). I assumed they were days ahead of me as they are both so fit and strong. It was lovely to see them, and we walked together to Orbe. We had all elected to take the historic route to Jougne (an alternative Path), and therefore, there were no way markers today, so I was glad to have someone else take the lead. We crossed the pedestrian and bike border from France into Switzerland at around 9:30 a.m., and the Brit had a 1/2 bottle of champagne to celebrate! Which was just as well as it really was a non-event otherwise! Though, having others with me meant that I got a photo! I am so glad we did take the historic route as we got to walk through the Gorges de I'Orbe - it was spectacular. I will now be walking the "70" the official VF route in Switzerland. I snuck into the church here at Orbe and took some photos - they are renovating, and it's not open!Read more

    • TravelerVia @ 70
      Day 40

      Penthalaz 17 miles

      August 21, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

      Bit of a breakthrough on the sleeping arrangements which I feel the need to share. When camping I have this ridiculously small inflatable mat that I sort of lie on. And a small inflatable pillow that rests on the mat and is almost in a state of continuous motion as the combination of 2 inflatable things is incredibly unstable. The mat is only about a foot and a half wide at the most. Now here’s the tricky bit. I like to sleep on my side with one or more legs bent. There is no way a bent leg can fit on the mat if my backside is also on it. Knee ends up on the ground. Uncomfortable after a short while. But the mat has a sort of thicker bit at the end which can work as a pillow leaving the actual pillow free to be used to support the bent leg. Magic. So much more comfortable. The more astute of you might question why it has taken 8 of the 10 nights I’m camping to work it out but that’s just me.

      While lying there this morning I got to wonder about ants. There were many of them just about everywhere in the tent. When I pack away the tent and carry it 15 miles down the road and then unpack it what do the little buggers make of their new surroundings? Won’t be able to meet up with their mates for a couple of bevvies on a Friday night anymore. Do they make new chums? Are they treated like illegal immigrants by the locals?

      Anyway of much more practical concern was the need to get up and the tent packed before the sun hit it and it quickly became the furnace that it was yesterday evening.

      One thing I have noticed about Switzerland that I do like is the provision of benches. Lots of them. Must have passed more today than in over 5 weeks going through France. Elderly pilgrims do like a wee seat every now and again, preferably in the shade.

      Today started well with a breakfast in a supermarket cafe and I had high hopes of a village that was a couple of hours in. Several shops and bars and restaurants all because it was quite pretty. But not on a Monday in Switzerland apparently. The church was open but not much else. Went a bit short of water until a wee cafe in a hospital complex which did the business. Always a little nervous going too near hospitals in Switzerland especially as my language skills aren’t that great and they do have a bit of a reputation for taking things to the end. But this one didn’t seem that type. Made sure I didn’t sign any disclaimers anyway.

      Got my first glimpse of the Alps today. Expect there will lots of photos of them over the next 10 days or so. Tonight’s campsite looks fun. Couldn’t be closer to the railway if it tried and trains seem to run at least every 5 minutes. Doesn’t give much time to nod off between them. Looks like it’s the mainline between Geneva & Lausanne and the rest of Switzerland. Wonderful.      Read more

    • TravelerI think I’ll Walk

      Day 3 Orbe to Cossonay

      June 6, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

      What a beautiful days walk. Most of it was through beautiful peaceful Forrest. 500m elevation in the first 2hrs. What a way to start. Found a great lunch spot in the Forrest. The shaded path was very much appreciated then it was down through vineyards to the river and mostly flat or down hill until about 5 km from the end it was out in the hot afternoon sun … and uphill. One tick and one dead mouse today. An excellent view from my hotel window of the French alps on the far side of lac Leman. Pretty tired so an early night for me. 26.6km 7hrs17min.Read more

    • Traveler2024 Travels in Europe
      Day 78

      Today’s church was Protestant!

      September 30, 2024 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

      Today’s stage was like a walk in the park. Although we used to walk longer stages (our longest was 43k, nearly 27 miles), we now try to keep our stages under 20k (12 miles) so we have time to explore, meet people, etc. Of course, this is subject to what lodgings are available, and what food. We’ve pretty much stayed under 20k so far this year, with the exception of the Aosta death match.

      Today we had found a lady who rented out rooms at about 12k (7.5 miles) from Orbe, where we stayed last night, so that’s how far we walked. Her house was less than a kilometer from the Via Francigena, which was good.

      The walking was glorious, very little pavement, mostly trails and gravel tracks through forests and meadows. A few hills but nothing strenuous. Lovely, cool, dry weather, beautiful views.

      We stopped for lunch in Romainmôtier, a town near our endpoint, where we had galettes, buckwheat crepes which are common in Normandy, France. We love galettes, but haven’t had them since we were last in Normandy, many years ago, so this was a treat. We forgot to ask whether they were a local thing in this part of Switzerland.

      We then visited the local monastery, which dates back to the fifth century. When Switzerland became Protestant, so did the monastery. So, we visited a Protestant church, a first for this trip!

      The church was beautiful, but stark compared to the more elaborate Catholic churches we have been visiting. There were some faint frescos. On one side they had material about Saint Clare of Assisi, a contemporary of Saint Francis and a favorite Saint of ours. In a chapel on the other side they displayed a prayer of Dr. Martin Luther king! We felt very much at home.

      It was a very short walk to our lodgings, where we settled in. We’ll probably go walking to the nearest town, Croy, to see what’s going on there. They have a station buffet; we may investigate to see if it is as good as the one in Vallorbe!      Read more

    • TravelerVia @ 70
      Day 39

      Orbe 18 miles

      August 20, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

      My hostess warned me at breakfast that today would be hot and so it proved. Started with 150m of gentle climbing and then it looked like downhill the rest of the day. Wasn’t quite like that but enough downhill to make my feet hurt. The soles of these shoes are wearing thin and so I feel every small stone especially on downhill sections. Only got a couple of days in them before the cavalry is coming bringing replacements as well as all sorts of other goodies like more contact lenses, another wee tube of toothpaste etc.

      Stopped at a supermarket at the first village to get something for lunch. Thought it a little strange that although the village was small the supermarket was massive and the large car park was packed. On a Sunday morning? Twigged after a while that a large proportion of the cars were sporting Swiss number plates. I was less than 5 miles from the Swiss border and folk were coming across to stock up.

      Bought a litre of Orangina, some bananas, cookies and Snickers. A healthy diet. Sat outside in the car park looking like a complete dosser while chomping away. Little disappointed that no one offered any money. Didn’t even give me a second glance. Maybe they are used to pilgrims.

      Nothing much to the Swiss border but I was amused how the narrow gravel path in France became a full-blown very smooth road in Switzerland. Amazing what unlimited money does.

      Before crossing the border I had visited my last French cemetery to stock up with water. None to be seen anywhere. Bit upset as I had finished my supplies in anticipation. Had a further 5 hours of very hot walking to do without any liquid. After reaching the campsite I have drunk 5 litres and will take another litre in to the tent with me.

      The campsite was next to a large outdoor swimming pool which had a restaurant. Fab. Had to sit inside where it was boiling because it looked like every outside table had at least one smoker. Smoking seems just as trendy here as it is in France.

      Prices were fairly scandalous. I went for pasta carbonara and a large bottle of water, being about the cheapest on the menu but still got through 25.50SFr. Ouch.      Read more

    • TravelerOldtimertour nach Frankfurt
      Day 13

      Bis nach Straßburg zur letzten Übernacht

      February 13, 2024 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C

      Wer Angst hat, dass sein Bankkonto überlaufen könnte, ist in Lausanne in sicheren Händen. Eine Kreditkarte ist gleich abgefackelt, die zweite konnten wir noch zum Tanken löschen. Letzte Station unserer Ibistour ist Straßburg. Sehr schön hier.Read more

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    • TravelerI think I’ll Walk

      Day 2 Saint croix to Orbe

      June 5, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

      The day started with a really nice breakfast of home artisan bread with coffee of course. Not feeling too bad after yesterday and hiking in the rain. Mostly walking down hill with 900m descent and only 230m ascent.
      A day walking through forest where I saw 2 deer, along a Roman road , walking through farmland with cows with bells on ( I find the sound quite soothing surprisingly) and then through vineyards with the grapes just starting to form. The other thing i quite like is the wild flowers tend to be predominantly red poppies. Arrived in Orbe with tired legs and sore feet. 23.02km in 6hrs 26min      Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Gros-de-Vaud District, District du Gros-de-Vaud

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