We finally arrived in Switzerland yesterday after what seems like months but was actually just 4 weeks of preparation.
The last few days in the UK were hectic and we managed to get to bed 3hrs before we needed to leave for Heathrow on Saturday, so carrying my whole life through two airports and two train journeys was a bit of a schlep to say the least. Of course the trains were on time as promised and the journey around the edge of Lake Geneva was stunning, particularly the vineyards in Lavaux.
We arrived at the hotel in time to shower and change before going to Montreux to meet an agent for a viewing on an apartment that we're hoping to move into in October. The place was even better than it looked in the advert and I'm still struggling to understand that I will live in such a beautiful place with a view of those dramatic mountains across the lake and Château de Chillon on the shore nearby.
After the viewing we decided we'd have a couple of beers and then a well deserved nap, but a couple of beers turned into a few and a few into a lot when we met our first Swiss friend. He didn't speak (much) English so my French was tested for the first time and it went surprisingly well. Speaking French obviously gets easier with alcohol so I'll probably have four or five beers each morning before I leave the house, just in case. We all left together to get food and Candy ran ahead with our new friend's dog, Tango, which led to a hilarious "Hey that's my dog!" "No it isn't!" "No it really is!" moment when she ran into the wife of the owner and her friend. So three became five and we all ate together.
Today we walked along the shore from Vevey to Montreux, gasping every few minutes as we looked at the scenery or the prices on restaurant menus. I think I will become a much better cook in Switzerland! It was good to see a few people having BBQs and camping next to the lake. I've already found Mrs Balls chutney so we just need to track down some boerewors and we can braai on the balcony.
I took a few nice photographs today but unfortunately I forgot to bring a card reader or USB cable so It can't post them yet. Tomorrow is going to be our last 'holiday' day before we have to start doing some of the boring grown up stuff like speaking to the Inland Revenue so I'll try and make sure we do something interesting!
Excellent! So pleased the move over has gone smoothly so far. Having several beers before work sounds like and excellent plan and something I may start doing myself, just for a laugh! Imagine what a brilliant impression I would create if I went to work every day and spoke French. Speak soon and I hope the rest of the transition goes well. Love, L & K xxxx
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