Bern

Another very hot day today in Switzerland, but, again, with a gentle beeeze making it manageable. Our plan was to visit Bern a little later in the day.  The early morning was just superb, with a very Mediterranean feel in the air.  

We joined Bettina and Sigi for a very enjoyable breakfast, after which, we all went to have an inspection of Bettina and Sigi’s new van. Their  first major long journey was to Greece just a few week ago, during which time they sorted out any of the problems a new van can have. Later we followed them to the motorway to set us in our way to Bern. A lovely couple, and a very enjoyable couple of days with them.  Thanks Bettina and Sigi.

In our drive this morning, we caught a glimpse of the seasons  first crop of the flowering sunflowers. We had been noticing many earlier but these were the first flowering crop we passed. 

In arriving in Bern,  the day had got considerably hotter. Where we had planned to park, a large flea market was in full swing. This was checked out before a place nearby opened up and allowed us a parking area with some shade - something that was at a premium!

We had lunch before a look around this fabulous old town was contemplated. The town of Bern was founded  in the late 12th century, nearly 300 years later  most of the wooden buildings were destroyed by fire and the existing stone building, we see today,  were built in their place. The old city has 6 kilometre of arcades which makes shopping a pleasure (perhaps, for some!) in all weather. 

Aerial view of the old city of Bern built in the bend of the Aare river. 

Restaurants spilling out from the arcades. 

Marktgasse lined with stone buildings with arcades along the ground level. 

One of the attractions of the town is the bear pit which has been part of the city since the 16th century- today it only houses 4 bears - only two could be seen today - both  in the water cooling off!

Being a UNESCO listed town there are many sites to view with, perhaps, the Zytglogge (Time Bell), an elaborate medieval clock tower with moving puppets, being the most famous. This has become an icon since it was installed in 1530, being one of the oldest in Switzerland and has an astonishing astronomical clock below. 

There are many fountains around the city with polychrome statues of real personalities from the city’s history adorning the tops. 

The gothic cathedral is from the 15th century. 

A weeping bishop is part of the sculptures on the facade of the main doorway. 

With the day still getting warmer a return to the van was necessary, and shortly after we headed off to our over night stop in Langenthal. 

Erlach

From first light this morning you could feel that it was going to be a hot day - an early morning walk just confirmed this observation. Carried out our normal domestic chores before packing up the van and heading off to Erlach, a village - oops, city - on the shore of  Bielersee (Lake Biel). And, now in the German speaking part of Switzerland.  

It was only a short drive to Erlach and the home of Sigi and Bettina. A lovely welcome was waiting for us in the form of a special sign in a reserve parking area near their home.

Bettina and Sigi made us most welcome, spending the morning, and much of the afternoon, catching up with all the happenings in our lives over the past few years. Later in the afternoon- the temperature had risen to well over 30 degrees - we took a walk along the shores of Bielersee where many Swiss families we also trying to get some relief from the heat. We found ours at the lakeside bar where we enjoyed a few drinks while watching the knockout game between France and Argentina. 

The Swiss inspired pulley system to transfer all the barbecue items down to the ground level. 

Bettina and Helene. 

Later we returned to Bettina  and Sigi’s for a barbecue dinner including pork steaks, chicken and delicious German potato salad, etc. A lovely evening, great companions and much to discuss well into the late hours.