Schwarzsee to Thun.

Although the weather was still not perfect for walking, we decided to go for it anyway, and headed up to Riggisalp, on a well marked path.  Still raining, so sheltered in a concrete igloo in a children`s play area. Although the weather was not the best, the walk and the scenery were stunning.

We have now entered German - speaking area, but the German still sounds like Dutch.

Found somewhere to stop overnight, and took the bus in the next morning to the city of Thun (pronounced TOON). Partly built on an island in the middle of the river Aare, this has a medieval castle but most of the town grew up during the 19the Century as a tourist destination, as did many of the lakeside towns.

Stayed overnight at Interlaken, but the campsite was very expensive. We did the touristy thing round the town and rode the cable railway to Harder Kulm, which gives amazing views to the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger. It goes up 4337 feet in 8 minutes, and a maximum incline of 60%.  Scary.

Drove along the noth shore of Brienzer See through the village of Brienz, which is known for its woodcarving, passing many impressive waterfalls on the way. Went along Sustenpass, 2224 metres- more snow, tunnels, ravines, scary bends, then down past Schöllenen Schlucht, and Teufelsbrücke, Andermatt and the new St Gotthard pass. we could see the old road just below us which looked very narrow and still was icy.

As we came off the mountain, everything suddenly became Italian, architecture, street names, and signs.  Stopped at Biasca. Boiling hot. Visited two amazing churches, and and got a lovely Italian Ice cream, by speaking some really basic Italian. We think the Italian sounds Italian.

Continued down through the Bellinzona area to Lugano, and found the Church of St Edward the Confessor, ready to go there the next day.

BREAKING NEWS:

You can see our photos at photobucket.com, and the password is gmgoneroamin. They are not edited at all yet,  just straight off the camera.
https://s1051.photobucket.com/albums/s438/gmgoneroamin/
gmgoneroamin
 

. They are not edited at all yet,  just straight off the camera.