It still takes a bit to get my head wrapped around the proximity of the countries here. Today, the Oak Hall expedition was to visit three countries in one day! We had about two hours at each of the three stops.

We did it! But we got back to the chalet late this evening, so this blog will also be “speed-dialled” tonight!

Philip and I rode on the top deck of the very comfortable coach bus, zig-zagging down the switchbacks and steep hillsides of the mountainside, all the way to the flat valley far below. Hats off to the bus-driver for his skills!

Lots of “alpine” looking houses scattered up and down the steep, steep mountains. But no matter how steep the slope, it seems like most land is being cropped for hay. Mown – either by machine, but occasionally I saw a scythe to mow it. Then raked – sometimes by machine, but sometimes by hand with huge rakes – and left in long rows to dry. Then bundled up to use for winter feed. All very hard work and all done on steep mountainsides! (But I wasn’t quick enough to get any photos of it!)

Crossing over the Rhine River, our first stop was Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. If you like statistics!! – 40,000 people, 160,000 square miles, the fourth smallest country in Europe, independently ruled with a constitutional hereditary Prince with a democratic parliament.

My uninformed caricature of this country was that it was famous for stamps. Which it is, but there’s so much more. There usually is!

Philip took a 30 minute trolley-train ride around Vaduz, but wasn’t able to get any good photos. He said it was very interesting though.

I chose another cardio hike up the steep cliff path to the Castle overlooking the city.

That’s the white castle at the top of the cliffs

Great views, but the Castle is the Prince’s personal residence, so not open to the public.

I chose to visit the Vaduz Treasure Chamber. A long, very dark room filled with Liechtenstein treasures, like history weapons, ceremonial gifts, Faberge Easter eggs, moon rocks from Apollo 11 mission. I was the only one in there, and the guard said No photos and watched me very closely so I couldn’t even sneak a photo. It’s on their website if you’re interested…. Here’s the door I exited!

I also did a quick look in their little Postal Museum next door. Because it was free! Here’s an Austrian postman from last century.

Back in the bus, and crossed the border into Austria to the town of Feldkirch which has an unmistakable Austrian atmosphere.

Quaint, old, cobbled streets with cafes, shops, churches, gardens and a great castle.

We ate our picnic lunch beside the Rhine River, a pale, milky, jade-green colour running fast.

Beautiful, cultivated flower gardens and in pots everywhere. Here’s a flower market.

I don’t know what this interesting looking building was!!

Used up our last Euros on a busker.

We wandered around, admiring the architecture and paintings on the buildings, visited inside a couple of churches we passed. Meaningful and worshipful spaces.

It was getting very sunny and hot. Philip ate the darkest chocolate ice-cream he’s ever eaten and said it was good.

We passed a cafe that had Apelstruedel on its chalkboard. Philip told the owner, My daughter said that Austrians make the best apple strudel anywhere. “Ach, ve do”, he agreed and promptly added more strudel in Philip’s container. Philip said it was indeed very good!

In Austria, you can get marijuana in little disposal cabinets along the street … if you want to.

Back in the bus. This time to drive back to Switzerland to the pretty town of Rapperswil, set on the edge of Lake Zurich, with a beautiful lakefront promenade, lots of boats and people swimming in the lake.

The original footbridge across Lake Zurich was built to help pilgrims make their way across to Santiago de Compostela. The original footbridge was replaced twenty years ago, but still goes all the way across.

There’s the remains of a chapel on the bridge.

Here’s the chapel (above) and a faded fresco inside (below).

We visited one of their famous rose gardens. Philip thought they should dead-head the roses more frequently.

A nearby monastery with vineyards, a huge Cathedral.

Along the lakeside promenade, we stopped to watch a game of petanque which was being played for sheep stations.

We fitted a lot into the day. My head feels full to bursting! Back to the chalet for dinner, an evening meeting that was encouraging.

My blog is done and it’s time for bed!