Geneve

 

Yes here we are in another airport station waiting for the train into the centre of the city - they all look the same after a while Charles de Gaul, Zaventem, Tegel, Rio, La Guarda, JFK, LAX, MFI, BWI we've seen them all.and got the T-shirt.

Sorry about that I just slipped into ex-pat speak I won't let it happen again but the thing was it really was the "red eye" as the flight departed at 8:30 requiring an early start.

We arrived very tired and thought it prudent not to take the through service to Milan but before we begin the main body of the story I'm going to have a serious gripe about the Easy Jet pricing policy.

We were seduced by the bright orange posters promising a return flight to Geneva for EUR 15. Being regular flyers with the Luton based low cost airline we are familiar with their policy of flexible pricing which enables the seats to be filled and rewards flexibility and booking in advance. The thing was it was impossible to get a return flight for EUR 15 despite the fact that the posters were still on the bus stops which is surely some mistake. Perhaps we missed the date or perhaps the cheap flights were sold out but there was no indication of this on the Dutch language portion of the site. Get in touch if you like.

The famous water fountain known as Le Jet D'Eau

Another one in Le Jardin Anglais. It's funny I didn't see any garden gnomes fishing in Lake Geneva - I guess someone must have stolen them.

More British influence in this most international of cities. We're a long way from the Gloucester Road but if you ever meet anyone from Bristol don't bring up the subject of football as the city's two teams, Rovers and City are notorious underachievers move the conversation on to Rugby as Bath have a good club.

The famous hotels looking over the lake - far too expensive for us as we prefer to spend our money in fine restaurants - we stayed at the all year campsite after a night in a hotel.

A moody shot of Lac Leman. Thankfully no monster this time

Autumn again - that's three of them we've seen this year. Going from a damp and drizzly Holland we found the city bathed in Autumn sunshine with the temperature around 15 degrees Celsius. But due to the effect of the Sun it felt warmer.

After pitching the tent we set off in search of snow - We didn't find it but ended up at Gstaad - playground of the rich and famous but it looks as if they are staying at home this year due to the turbulent World stockmarkets. The train is panoramic and offers excellent views of the surrounding Alpine scenery.

We'll you don't get this view on the 7:32 into Cannon Street - you have to put up with New Cross as your fellow travelers wait to join the two track section just past London Bridge.

It makes a change from Batersea Power Station.

Ah yes here we Wilesden in the Autumn sunlight.

We catch a glimpse of Southwark Cathedral as we wait to cross into Blackfriars.

We arrive at Gstaad.

A refreshing sight of a mountain stream.

More water

As you can see an empty shopping street but in a month or so's time will be filled with the rich and famous looking for a cheap fur coat.

Here we see the A4 Cromwell Road by the Earls Court one-way system just before the afternoon rush hour.

In the next part we journey to Mont Blanc - Europe's highest mountain in search of snow. Did we find it ? Find out sometime around the weekend.