A day of two circular tours - our figure of eight day!

Morning - bus to Meiringen and train back to Grindelwald via Interlaken

So on a clear and cloudless morning we get the bus from our hotel over the pass to Meiringen ( dotted then solid yellow on the map. It is a single track road with hairpin bend after hairpin bend. The views are spectacular but difficult to take pictures through the bus windows.

 

The clever Swiss put two buses on the first bit of the route to cope with loadings and we are on the second bus.

 



At the top of the pass one bus turns back to Grindelwald (ours) so we transfer to the other and get a chance for a few photos!

So off down the other side: soon the driver starts using his Alpine Horn and we find out why: a bus is due in the opposite direction!

More hairpin bends down into Meiringen, one needing a double take.
Quick look around Meiringen before going to the station for our train to Interlaken.

Last time we were at Meiringen there were no platforms and you just walked across the tracks to get to the train. It has now been rebuilt with two proper platforms.

Pretty run to Interlaken around Lake Brienz, again picture through glass not the best! Old trains had opening windows: not so on these otherwise nice new ones.

At Interlaken we get the nice old rack railway back to Grindelwald with views taken through open windows!

Back to the hotel for lunch and then by bus to the Mannlichen cable car which takes around 30 minutes to reach its summit where there are views back to Grindelwald,

 but also down the other side to Wengen

Instead of going back down the same way we opted for a 90 minute walk to Kleine Scheidegg.

Along the walk we get great views of the Eiger

and here the Eiger on the left, Munch in the middle and the Jungfrau on the right

We stopped for a few pictures on the way!

Notice no coats and dark specs: the weather was simply fab!

So at Kleine Scheidegg. with its posh hotels we get the very steep rack railway

 back to Grindelwald.

A long day with plenty of walking, but just enough energy after dinner to walk out of Grindelwald to get some views of the mountains and outskirts in the evening light!

 



Our hotel, the Residence with the Eiger behind



Tomorrow we say good bye to Grindelwald and go off for one night in Zermatt

In and around Grindelwald

As we were the only guests at our hotel we had to choose what time we wanted it! On arrival at the appointed hour we were amazed at the spread laid on for the three of us: great start to the day:

Then off to explore the town/village of Grindelwald: some seemed interested in the chocolate shops:

Then we took the Grindelwald Bus from the bus station

to the Gletscherschlucht Gorge

It was a narrow winding road and we were delayed by sheep on the line! New excuse for Wightlink?

We enjoyed the hours wait for the next bus back to Grindelwald walking up the George.

The path was on suspended walkways and

through tunnels where even Jack had to watch her head!

The bus arrived bang on time: presumably no sheep this time!

Back to Grindelwald to buy some provision to make our roll and cakes for lunch and then off to the Grindelwald First cable car for an afternoon in the mountains.

The ride gave us some wonderful views of the Eiger

and the surrounding mountains

At the top was a new walkway with a glass bottomed viewing platform!

Half way there was a kids play park - Emma take note!

We spent all afternoon on the mountain and came down in time for a proper Swiss Dinner

Then a walk in the lovely evening light

down to the river in the valley below the town.

A last look at the glacier in the mountains before crashing out back at the hotel: tired but happy!

The Journey to Switzerland

After an easy journey to Kings Cross from the island we stay at the Royal Scot for Friday night

Our room was not too bad but James had a really noisy one. Up at 6am and we walk to St Pancras for the 07 52 Eurostar to Paris. We cross the newly restored frontage of Kings Cross Station: much better now the old booking hall has been demolished.

Arrive at Gare De Nord on time and get across Paris in record time to Gare de Lyon where we have time for a bite to eat and a hot drink before joining our TGV Lyria to Basel. This is a train capable of 320kph or 200 mph but we did not hit the magic number.

At Basel we do a cross platform change to an inter city Swiss train to Interlaken Ost. Not so fast or comfy but still swift and on time. Swiss trains run on time because they have recovery time at every station! Arrive into Interlaken on time where we transfer onto our final train: a narrow gauge rack railway up into the mountains and our final destination of Grindelwald .



Grindelwald Station

Grindgelwald Centrum



Hotel Residence

Check into the Hotel Residence to find we are the only guests and they had been waiting all afternoon for us to arrive. Book our breakfast and head of to find a restaurant for dinner. The first one we find is a nice Italian where we have a good fill up before an early night after a long long day!

Switzerland and France

We are off to Switzerland on Saturday first in Grindelwald then Zermatt. Then to Chamonix in France before returning Saturday week. All travel as usual by train!

Staying tonight at the Travel Inn Kings Cross: much cheaper than more convenient Premier Inn!

Then tomorrow by Eurostar and TGV to Grindelwald