Around Lausanne

Yesterday's train trip was switching cultures in the same country.  We took one train from Baden to Bern -- all announcements in German.  Then we switched trains, Bern to Lausanne, and everything turned French.  This is not surprising as Lake Geneva's south coast is part of France.  The scenery is stunning -- vineyards on the slopes facing south and mountains across the lake.

Today (after Joanna's bike and run this morning) we took the train around the lake to Chateau Chillon.  It is a lovely medieval castle built on a small island just off the shore of the lake.  It has the turrets and crenelations, a huge tall keep, and a prison that held a man for 6 years, chained to a pillar (immortalized in Byron's poem 'The Prisoner of Chillon')  Rather than train home, we took one of the paddle-wheelers across the lake back to Lausanne. 

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One final post about the cycling trip last week. 

Kieran is a game player.  Without video games, it was Trouble, Nine Men Morris, Solitaire, BlackJack.  Usually it was me he played, but there was another 10 year old on the boat and she enjoyed games too.  Soon they were planning when they would both be on the boat in order to meet in the lounge for a game.  Kieran taught Merin Qwirkle and sometimes it required three players, so I was enlisted.  He gets very caught up in the games and loves to win.  Good thing he is an excellent strategist and usually does.

Our Tour leader, Regina, was an unusual person.  She chose to do briefings in the morning so sometimes we were waiting for the briefing in order to start cycling.  Her German was excellent, her English, OK.  She took to Kieran and often brought her dessert over to him after supper.  She gave Kieran and Merin special gifts for being so young and doing so well. 

I have already spoken about the 2 English couples at our table and how special they made our meals.  But the most special person of all was Kiki.  He was my delight for the whole trip.  And in the end, he said he would do it again, me too!