Geneve

On the 26th of June, Trents birthday John and I went to Geneva, a five am wake up call, a taxi at six and delivered to Heathrow the new terminal five by six thirty. The BA lounge was lovely we had breakfast while waiting for our plane. I do not think I will ever like plane travel, the British airline hostesses missed our row of seats when offering refreshments and we so wanted a cup of tea, I had to buzz them to get service they were apologetic. One hour and forty minutes later we were in Geneva and at the hertz counter renting a car to take us to Les Hotel de Rive in Nyon. John has no problem adapting to left hand drives, it feels so strange sitting beside him which to me should be the drivers side.
Not more than ten minutes of driving and enjoying the sites along the way, when wack a motor bike rode straight into us. My first thought was for the motor bike rider, will he be alright, my legs were like jelly and the head was spinning. John pulled over to a safe spot just ahead in a bus Zone. I do not think the biker had even fallen he was travelling with another biker. John was out quick as a flash and checking the damage on the hire car and trying to communicate to the French speaking biker that he wanted his licence. Where was I you ask? Still sitting in the car a mess of nerves and jelly until John asked for a pen and paper which I supplied and finally got out to copy the licence number and bikes rego number at John’s request. John needed to get in touch with some one from work that could communicate with him and the biker. “Welcome to Genève” John said in an attempt to be humorous or maybe it was sarcastic I could not tell, but I did think at that moment standing on my jelly legs in the heat, that it was not the welcome I wanted nor John I suspect. All details covered we were on our way again, I asked John if he was OK he certainly appeared to be, but I did notice a slight tremble in his hand, he is human after all( I know that).
The Hotel in Nyon overlooked Lake Genève, after lunch in a lovely little café along the water front John went to work and I stayed in the motel room and caught up on some needed sleep, the pillows smelt like dog, but being so tired I just accepted it, and could not help but feel guilty that poor John was working. After a nap I woke with a congested nose and continuous sneezing, the corners of my eyes were very itchy I felt miserable. I took my hay fever tablets but it made little difference. Time to study the room I knew there was a dog upstairs as it kept barking. Nothing much to discover in the room, I did note we do not have any coffee or tea making facilities. Otherwise pretty much the same as any hotel motel accommodation. A walk now to discover the area, it was still very hot and humid. The light cotton shirt I was now wearing was much more suited for the day. Lots of alley ways and cobbled streets I took the first alley leading up toward a chateau on top of the hill, cobbled steps between stone buildings winding up. The quaint old stone houses had planter boxes under their windows most had red geraniums hanging out of them, but the heat was making the hair stick to the back of my neck and the humidity was making me feel sticky. At the top, it opened up to a huge courtyard area where people were dining and drinking ale overlooking the roofs and lake Geneva.

I walked on discovering shops and parks it was beautiful. When John came home we did it all again, but we included a walk beside the lake, we stopped and had a beer from a small kiosk, it was still warm we sat on a stone wall watching the water lap against the wall a rhythmic and soothing sound, there is something very calming and relaxing about water. After the beer our pace had settled to a dawdle arm in arm John and I went to a restaurant to eat, it was nine after all. Long twilights here as well. Back to our room to settle for the night with the stinky pillows, and when your head is on it you cannot escape it, so off into sleep I drifted dreaming of dogs. John thinks I am mad he could not smell what I smelt, only the citronella oil burning for the insects.
I hope the insect problem is only seasonal like Christmas in Australia or you would never open up windows at night as thousands are attracted to any light. John had had a good nights sleep unlike me battling dog fumes all night. We both had awoken to sunburnt faces and I was whingeing to John’s deaf ear about the stinky pillows. John left for work leaving me to amuse myself in this beautiful place for a day. Dressed in the coolest clothing packed I prepared for a morning of walking, discovering many more hidden walkways, the most enjoyable being along the waterfront away from the tourist area. A small dirt track between houses and jetties crab pots and cages stacked up on sides, the odd shop selling tackle, rope, fishing wire it was another world. But it was getting hot and my feet were blistering (wrong shoes) so I headed back. A block from the motel I am in pain, but could not help to stop and glance up a medieval looking street I was curious and would love to investigate but decided my feet wont like that idea, that is when a man speaking French was waving at me to go in, and talking to me in words I had no understanding of. So up I went on his instruction. I was taken to the chateau where I had already been the previous day by another entrance, this time I entered the building, magnificent and the views spectacular I sat in the shade of a big willow just outside and admired the view, resting my now intensely burning feet. Travelling back down to our hotel I again encountered the French speaking Swiss gentleman. It was an animated conversation he wanted to talk, but I had no idea what he was saying all those hours of French and I doubt that I understood a word, he even drew with his finger in the air, it was getting very embarrassing. Au voir came in handy with my best smile, and off I bolted.

Now with sore feet, hot, and frustrated with language I tackled the problems of stinky pillows. I told the front receptionist on my way back that I wanted my pillowcases changed because they smelled…. Sent mauvais in French, in case you wanted to know. New pillow cases were bought up to the room, and they smelt much better. I never ventured out for the rest of the day until John came home from work as it was too hot. When John came home to the hotel we then went out for a lovely dinner in one of the delightful restaurants that are along the lake edge.
The following day Michael, Johns boss in Switzerland drove us around most of the day. We were taken to many places and I cannot describe how beautiful Switzerland is …….. picturesque, splendorous, magical are words that do not do this country justice, from the green country side to rolling hills and snow capped mountains, winding roads through vineyards, platforms on the top of mountains that give you a view of the lake, restaurants and bars that do the same. Every one is friendly and always say Bon jour I think it was heaven, window boxes with flowers usually red geraniums and they are also on walls and hung from street lights as well as road signs, always maintained. Michael took us to his house where we met his wife Sharon and his two boys. A tour through his home revealed he had a bomb shelter. The Swiss government made it compulsory for many years that every new home built had to have a bomb shelter, fascinating stuff. We were treated to a barbecue dinner, while eating we heard the cow bells from the neighbours property, we also saw three baby foxes playing in the hay bails in a field below us it was so cute. We drove back to our room rather late, we were tired it was a big day.
Our last full day in Switzerland, John and I did a little driving around ourselves. After lunch we took a ferry ride across the lake to a historic town in France called Yvoire yet again magical, a French Medieval lake side village, lots of little shops so cute. Back across the lake and I was thankful for a breeze we had to return to our room and get ready to dine out with John’s colleagues. The dinner was exceptional ( how will I ever lose weight) I was a little bored as every one needed to talk shop and I could not contribute much to the conversation, but on the whole they were nice to me. And I guess I will be doing a lot more of that in the future, so I had better get used to it.
Next morning bright and early we were packing our bags, John accompanied me flying to Heathrow. John then had to take yet another plane and went on to France it cost less to go to France via England than to fly straight from Genève, can you believe that, or maybe he just wanted me back safe in England since I have never flown on my own, and we all know I panic very easily.
So we parted company I left to catch a bus to Reading and then a train to Mortimer station, a ten minute walk with back pack and a big luggage bag, I was so grateful it had wheels. At home I was greeted by a very messy garden, and a lawn in great need of a mow. Back to normal life.