Penthalaz

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