We set of at 9.30 to a cooling start. No jumper, I could have worn a vest. We covered a bit of the track we did the day prior. The terrain was mostly flat, along the Rhone. We stopped for a drink at a servo when two German (husband and wife) tourists stopped for a chat. They had done 4000kms to date from Southern Spain to Switzerland, we assume 60+. They were doing 100ks a day at about 15kmh.
We passed them just before Leuk-Stadt. We left the cycle route to see the skulls of ??? Unfortunately for us we arrived at midday, the bells rang and the town went quiet, so we went down the hill and had pizza for lunch.
We rode for another half hour or so and met two Danish (husband and wife) tourist who were on a two week ride. Their pace was much better and we rode for about 45 mns until we caught up to the Germans 2 km before Visp. We rode into Visp and parted ways.
Our campground is at Brigerbad next to the thermal pools. Lachlan set up the tent while I paid for the camping. 15 mins later we were in the pools. The sulphur smell was bearable, it was only evident in one of the pools.
We had a good shower of rain last night, it freshened the fresh air.
This is the morning at 9.30.
Zermatt 19 June.
We decided to stay at Brigerbad another night to go to Zermatt. The trains are very nice and while I wasn't going to say anything about the right hand column, the prices they charge for a return 50 km trip, they should be.
The weather at Zermatt was around 16*C in the township and the Matterhorn had a little snow/cloud/mist/vapour blowing off the top. We walked through town had a look at a couple of shops, bought something to eat and then our tickets to the Gornergrat observation area. The train is both rail and cog driven. The windows can be pulled down to allow better pictures. I doubt this is welcomed in winter.
The highest point to be reached not on foot or chairlift is 3089m, although we did walk an exta 12m in height just above the observation area. 29, 4000m+ peaks are visible from this area! cloud cover limited this for us. Many glaciers are visible, many lakes and snow drifts. It snowed a little while on the top but increased when we got out to look at a lower lake on the descent. We saw a couple of marmots on the mountain, not too close to the carriages though.
Bought some Swiss chocolate from a chocolatier. Two chocolate covers cornflake type items, one slab with smarties and a chilli and lime. Very nice ;) K.
Lachlan was given money for his birthday and he bought a Swiss Army knife titled 'Swiss Champ'. I think Lachlan is content now. "They didn't even ask for ID" he said.
A couple of Christian events were occurring in Visp and one of the towns up the mountain, resulting in a Monstrance being displayed in each town. It may have been for first holy communions.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Meeting other tourists on route. This couple were only the second tourists we have met so far.
The six of us bust through road works. It proved helpful having people speak the language. They got us special treatment
Visp outside the train station.
The Matterhorn!
The train and one of the snow sheds built to allow skiers to continue to run owner the train tracks.
A marmot centre frame.
Lachlan with his sunglasses off.
Glacier with a lake off to the side.
The observatory is used by students of a Swiss Uni. Just from the top of the summit is a research station.
The Swiss Champ.
3 comments:
Loving the journey gentlemen! I begin my day with a check of the blog to see where you are and what you've been doing. I'm not sure it puts me in the best space to go to work. I am missing France.
take care
Wow Lock, don't look too excited in the videos will you? Don't want us thinking we're missing out on all the fun? Sledge aside, posting videos to Dropbox and providing the link worked well. Quality was good except one part where the pan was a bit fast thus pixelly (yep, tech speak here).
Like Brad, I too check the blog every morning, over coffee and if I don't get to comment at home, there's always Norwest B'lvd! ;)
Haven't heard from the Pereira's for a couple of days, hope they've made it to Barcelona ok?
Yes we made it to Barcelona. We have been busy sight seeing. Tried to text you Paul -don’t know if you got our message. Looking good guys! Love the knife Lachlan.
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