Sunday, 16 May 2010

Went for a walk early - pretty cold but the sun breaking through. We are close to the centre of Lausanne across the road from the big Trade Centre and yet there was a farmer in a Hi Luxe ute tending his cows which he had fenced in with an electric fence right next to an up-market gated development. It is a striking thing about Europe that you can be in a famous and sophisticated city yet traditional agriculture is never far away - what we call suburbs are called villages and the smallest garden will produce wonderful vegetables. Rosie and Alex put on a great Swiss/Brazilian breakfast - fresh melon, graviola juice - looks a bit like milk and tastes very good - a hot dish of eggs, sliced ham, onion, garlic and coriander - have to remember that one - small baked manioc cakes (manioc and its derivative, tapioca, are staples of Brazil), Tomme cheese, croissants and jam made by Alex's mum Silvia - plum, banana and mixed fruit - wonderful. Are we obsessed with the food? Yes, but with good reason. Set off with Alex & Rosie in their car around the lake in an easterly direction. Most shops closed here on a Sunday as they were in Italy so the streets pretty quiet. Beautiful lake and buildings lining the shoreline. Driving further around vineyards grow on incredibly steep slopes, terraced with rock walls. These slopes face south so face the prevailing sun - the southern shore is dominated by the Alps. We stopped in the very attractive town of Montreux, made famous its jazz festival, and took a break at the castle built over the water, Chateau de Chillon. We then drove up the winding road to Leysin and caught the gondola type cable car up to a revolving restaurant, Kuklos, at 2,048 meters. Plenty of snow on the ground. Nice lunch of cold meats, including a sort of dried beef, and cheese while we slowly rotated and looked out on the spectacular mountains and valleys. Watched as para-gliders jumped off the cliff - sure looks like fun. Back to the apartment for a bit of a rest. Watched some of the 20/20 cricket final with French commentary. A quiet night with dinner of pasta & pesto and some lovely Swiss pinot.