Iseltwald

Up early for a run and shower whilst Gary worked again. A bit of food shopping and fuel refill once we’d started our journey again, I’d read that Switzerland can be a bit pricey, Gary drove the first half and over the border hoping to be able to buy their equivalent of the toll fee by way of a sticker called a vignette. Apparently you can buy it at the border allowing you to use their motorways. A much simpler (and cheaper) way to pay for toll than the French toll points every few metres, it feels like. My toll charge in France is going to be huge I reckon. It was £60 coming down the first part when we first got here compared to Spain around £30 and we were there for much longer and more traveling. We seem to go through toll after toll after toll this last French section.
Anyway, as we approached the border, no new country signs or welcome. Just weaved in and out of a few cones and some unmarked buildings then we were through. Back on to the motorway. Very underwhelming. So, we panicked a little thinking we hadn’t got this vignette. I know their fine for not having one is a bit costly so we pulled over and found a petrol station outside Geneva to purchase one. Easy. 40 franks lasts the year (£36). Crisis averted, Gary drove a little further around Lake Geneva then we switched over and I drove to the stopover. As we approached the snow tipped Alps it was an amazing sight knowing we would be heading that way eventually. Our stopover is near Interlaken, next to lake Brienz (Brienzee). The approach was breathtaking. Such a turquoise looking water especially with the sun shining. We found it spot for the night and went for a walk in the area finding a very high, though not very wide, waterfall. Hiked up the woody mountain a little to see some more beautiful views before heading back for dinner. Gary attempted to fly the drone but we’re near an airport so restrictions meant he wasn’t confident. We walked down to the picturesque village as the sun went down and sat on a bench watching the sun set. Surprisingly quite busy there with Korean tourists. There’s a pier that was used in a Korean Netflix show recently. Bit of an attraction. Back at our stopover, just a large carpark, a couple other vans also turned up for the night. One, respectfully leaving a gap but another shoehorned himself right into our corner. There’s loads of room here, why do people do that? I could probably take a leap from my doorstep and land on his. Eyeroll.
Gary’s looking forward to driving the Furka pass next. A long, winding, scenic stretch through the Alps made famous by the Goldfinger movie. Move over Lewis Hamilton.Read more