Cable cars and more catch up

It's fall here and a beautiful time in the Riviera. Trees are turning golden and the mist is hanging on the lake. We've had a nice relaxing time here and we're off tomorrow to Geneva then France. First we have to say goodbye to Berny and Ann who have been very generous to us while we've been here. Ann made us lunch, roast chicken in breadcrumbs, one of Henry's favs. Then we went for a walk up the hill past the Chateau de Blonay and played in the park to work off the meal and Gin! Oh and wine. Sorry Berny we tried to help clear out the cellar but didn't make much of a dent. Ann saw smoke reflected in a train window up the hill a bit so we rushed to see if the historic train was in action. We made it just in time and climbed on. Once again trainspotter Henry was over the moon. It's a great little ride up and up to Chambly at the end, Hen even got to go into the engine with the engineers after I asked in my funny misspoken French.

Ann and Berny picked us up in their cars at the top and drove us back for pasta. It was going to be Fondue but we all agreed that could be dangerous. After another delicious meal and more great wine from Bordeaux we were chauffeured back to the nice hostel in the main square of Vevey. The next day Berny treated us to his famous Fondue wow. It was more than I expected especially with the Kirsh which packs a punch. I've been a bit off cheese since my mum made me sandwiches for school when I was 6 and at lunch they'd be warm and sweaty but Berny's Fondue helped bring me back to the cheese fold.

Each day we've done a few things here. We got the Funicular up the hill to 800m and walked back down. Bella fell asleep before we went up and didn't wake up until we got to the top. She was so sad about missing it! Poor little monster, she has got to go on two more since then though so is cool about it now. We walked back down from Mt Pelerin through meadows of cows and fruit trees and vineyards. Kind of not what we expected. It's funny cos when you are down on the lake edge Vevey and Montreux look like cities as they've got lots of high apartments. The populations aren't very big though only 15 - 20K we've been told.

The trains and buses are great here, really often and very clean and new. Much tax dollars spent here. We've really enjoyed our little sample of Switzerland. We could have tried to see lots and felt rushed but it was nice to wander and sample some of the Riviera at a more relaxed pace. We'll miss your clean green towns Switzerland. Tomorrow we have a car waiting for us at Geneva airport, we're off to the Maginot line!