Day 30: Andermatt to Gryon

 Wednesday July 10th

It appears that everything works well in Switzerland. Today, we caught 5 trains to get from Andermatt, high in the middle of Switzerland, to Gryon, high in the west. In Andermatt they mainly speak German, but here French prevails. 

I went for a brief walk before breakfast.





After breakfast we did another brief walk before catching the train.  


The variety of things you can buy from Swiss vending machines is amazing.

Chocolate bars, pregnancy tests, condoms and lighters. I think they’re in the wrong order.

Another honesty vending fridge

Flower power

Horse power

This time we took the regular train service rather than the Glacier Express. It didn’t have the panoramic windows, audio guide or the three course meal, but in some ways it was better - you can pull down the windows and take photos more easily without the window glare and it was quieter. 






Our first change was at Brig.


We didn’t stay long before catching the train to Visp, where a huge mountain loomed above the town.




I thought at first it was the Matterhorn, but now think it’s Les Dents Blanches.

Another quick change at St Maurice and we were in Bex, where we caught the little mountain train up to Gryon.




We’ve done four home exchanges this trip and all four have been great, but I think this, a mountain chalet with stunning views over the alps, is the best.


After unloading we took a walk down to the village to get provisions.




Time to crack open the gin which we’ve carried from Heathrow, have a meal and enjoy the view before the football. (Jill didn’t manage to stay up for that and was sound asleep by the time I got to bed).




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