A relatively early start today as we had to be on the 8:40 bus to Como. The bus wound its way along the shores of the beautiful Lake Como. The scenery was superb, and to think that people actually live with this beauty daily! The road was very narrow, and the driver regularly beeped the horn to warn any possible oncoming traffic. Then, just when you were amazed at how a car managed to pass, there would be a 'road narrows' sign!!
Como is a reasonable size town, with some beautiful old buildings, but we were there to catch the train back to Milan. We were about to embark on the fun of moving from one country to another, and one train system to another (last time we changed countries, it happened in the middle of the night, and we slept through it!!) Here the Swiss Half Fare Card (HFC) that we had finally purchased in Munich was to come into its own - part way through the trip.
So, from Milan to Domodossola was on an Italian ticket, and from there on (same train) was a Swiss ticket using the HFC. We had allocated seats with the Italian leg, but were not sure what would happen after that. Sure enough, at Domodossola, a father and 2 teenage boys had tickets with our seat numbers on them. The train was really full, so we were rather concerned. I managed to take over an empty seat close to our old ones, then Errol found one half way down the carriage. Every time the train stopped, I thought someone else would get on and demand we move!! Then the ticket man came around, and thoroughly scrutinized all our paperwork and passports. But we passed the test, and made it through.
Off the train at Spiez, and a short trip straight on to Interlaken Ost (east). Just enough time there to find an ATM (needed Swiss francs) then onto another train to Lauterbrunen. Across the road to the gondola which took us on a very steep ascent up to Grutschalp (see photos below), then a final train/tram to Murren, arriving about 4, it really has been a day of travelling.
We were expecting it to be really cold, but the sun was out, and though there was a certain crispness to the air, it was not 'beanie and gloves' time. We checked into the Eiger Guest House, then went for a walk to check out the gondola that goes up to Schilthorn - will probably do this tomorrow.
Murren is a very pretty little alpine town. The countryside is so beautifully green, and the houses are just what I expected. From Murren, the Alps loom above, but clouds slowly move across, hiding different parts of each mountain. Jungfrau is straight out the front window of our room, but we have barely seen its peak.
We have dinner, bed and breakfast here, and they are organizing everything to suit my lactose free requirements. Dinner was passable. There were 3 courses, and I would be happier if they did 1 good course instead of trying to do 3. Emma (owner/operator?) has organized lactose free yoghurt and milk for me for breakfast, which I thought was very considerate.
A relatively early night tonight, there is little to do once tea is over. We would like to go to Schilthorn tomorrow, and it is only worth doing if the weather is clear. Emma tells us that the best chance of a cloud free view will be early tomorrow, apparently there is a chance of showers in the afternoon.
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