It was still snowing! again we donned our walking boots and headed for the hills, it is so refreshing walking in these conditions.
In the early evening there were 800 candles floated in the Limmat river in the city. We are not quite sure of the significance of his but it was a very pretty sight on a cold snowy evening with all the street decorations around. Hot punch and biscuits were provided free by the tourist board.
Wednesday 17th December
It was like waking up to every childs dream of Christmas. It was snowing quite heavily and had obviously been snowing all night. Everywhere was a blanket of white including all the roads as the gritting lorries had not been out - for once the Swiss forecasters had been caught out and had not forecast snow for the city area.
After breakfast we head off up the Uetliberg for a walk. There was so much snow and with shoe chains and walking poles (Rosie) we make it to the bottom without incident! What a lovely walk with amazing scenery. After lunch we spent a relaxing time reading and watching it snow.
Tuesday 16th December
A cold bright day and we head off for a brisk winters walk in the Kafler Berg to the north of the city.
Late in the evening it started to snow, we went to bed wondering whether it would amount to any thing much.
Monday 15th December
We met a friend from Guernsey in Zug for lunch today, Corola had been our German teacher in Guernsey so it was good to catch up with her.
Sunday 14th December
Another bright start to the day and we go out for another drive to Einsiedeln. This is a place Jenny and Rosie visited on separate school trips many years ago when we were 12. Rosie has been back previously and seen how the former village is now very much a town. It has a large cathedral and monastery and produces a passion play every ten years. The hotel we stayed in is still there and open and the main square has not changed too much from what we both remember.
A bright, snowy and sunny day and we decided to drive to the alps and we set off for Klosters and Davos which are less than 2 hours away. As you can see it was a lovely day, we had lunch in a Klosters and then a walk near the lake on the outskirts of Davos. The day was rounded off with Jenny & John taking us out for dinner, we went to a typical Swiss restaurant in the city and then visited a couple of bars that have amazing views over the city.
Thursday 11th December
Friday 12th December
A morning of showing Jenny & John a bit more of the city, we started near the lake and the local Friday market. We then caught a train up the Uetliberg mountain for a walk and a coffee.
The scenery was beautiful with the snow and frost hanging on the trees.
After lunch Rosie and Jenny went shopping and round the Christmas market, which is held within the main station and is the largest indoor Christmas market in Europe. Within the station there is a very big Christmas tree with over 5,000 Swarowski crystal decorations. It has to be seen to really be appreciated.
Exciting day today - we had winter tyres fitted! A must in Switzerland if you want to drive anywhere. (If you are involved in an accident and do not have them fitted you are likely to be blamed even if it wasn't your fault). As the snow was laying even i
n the city we decided it would be a good idea.
Rosie's sister Jenny and her husband John arrived late afternoon and after dropping off their luggage and a cup of tea we took them into the city for a walk and supper of a Bratwurst and Gluewein. Every visitor should try the Bratwurst sausages and they are best eaten with bread standing at a table in the street.
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