Lausanne and Montreux

Our three options for church were 1.) an hour back to Bern  2.) an hour back to Interlaken  or 3. an hour and a half to Lausanne… and since we’d already seen the other two we thought we’d head in the other direction and check out Eastern Switzerland right by Lake Geneva.  The ride from our farmhouse in St. Stephans to Lausanne was the prettiest drive I think I’ve ever been on.   We just kept going up and up and eventually over the mountain and then down the other side.  The green hills and farms with the low clouds were so amazing.  I wish we could have stopped at every turn to take pictures but we were already cutting it close to get to church on time. 

Who would have guessed that Amy and I would have such an affinity for cows?  But not just any cows… Switzerland bell clanking cows.  Every time we saw them up on the mountain side we sighed wishing we could climb up the mountain to take pictures of them.   In the front vehicle, Chris saw an opportunity to pull over by some cows and took it.  We grabbed our cameras and ran across the street in our Sunday skirts to take a few quick pictures.  Amy’s cow walked right towards her and posed for pictures (the fabulous up close and personal pictures below)  My cow just sort of looked up and stared at me.  It was an incredible view and one of the highlights of the day.  We muttered ‘must go to church’  and forced ourselves to stop taking pictures and run back to the car.

    

As we approached Lausanne the signs turned from German to French.  Sure enough, church was in French too.  We parked and went inside and took the front pew of a packed Chapel.   One of the young men who blessed the sacrament came down and sat on the front row and immediately started translating for us which we were extremely grateful for.  I moved over closer to him so I could hear.  It was a great testimony meeting.  After church we ended up talking to quite a few people for a long time.   I love how the church just brings random people together.  It’s so interesting hearing about the lives of members all over the world.  One Swiss lady said that when they want to save money they just go on vacation because everywhere else is cheaper than Switzerland.

After church we grabbed really delicious croissants and meat pies and rolls at a nearby gas station and continued on to

Chateau de Chillon… The most stunning medieval castle in Switzerland, right on the edge of Lake Geneva.

We paid our money to get inside and the kids were given a map of the castle and funny cartoons about each section.  Perfect!

The prisons… built right on the jagged natural stone.

 

One of the dining halls with an impressive fireplace used to roast large animals (including bears and boars) for feasts.

 

The view  from the castle tower onto Lake Geneva…

      

We walked on castle walls, explored the dungeons, toured royal rooms, saw 700 year old toilets (which were a hole leading to the rocks below) and sat in many window seats looking out at the lake.  It was a great castle.

      

    

Fun day.  Back through the gorgeous hills which were now almost entirely iced with clouds.