Day 13
Murten
Took our time this morning, left about 10:30 – destination Ballenberg.
It was over 1 ½ hours of driving and it appeared that we arrived after most others at the West entrance. After paying about 50 CHF admittance, we walked to the first building, which happened to be a restaurant, went in and had lunch. Kristen – Weisswurst & fries, Jill a foot long sausage and Rosti, Dave a ham sandwich and salad – about 50 CHF.
Ballenberg is a collection of historic houses from all over Switzerland. All the regions are represented by little villages spread out over a 3 km x 2 km area. The houses are authentic old structures, and inside they’re set up with period furnishings, books, kitchen stuff, etc. Jill and I visited 16 years ago when it was smaller.
It was over 1 ½ hours of driving and it appeared that we arrived after most others at the West entrance. After paying about 50 CHF admittance, we walked to the first building, which happened to be a restaurant, went in and had lunch. Kristen – Weisswurst & fries, Jill a foot long sausage and Rosti, Dave a ham sandwich and salad – about 50 CHF.
Ballenberg is a collection of historic houses from all over Switzerland. All the regions are represented by little villages spread out over a 3 km x 2 km area. The houses are authentic old structures, and inside they’re set up with period furnishings, books, kitchen stuff, etc. Jill and I visited 16 years ago when it was smaller.
Now they have a horse-drawn carriage that ferries people from one end of the park to the other, so we did. For 25 CHF we had a ½ hour bilingual guide who took us and 2 other families from one end to the other, and saved some hill climbing. And best of all, before she had a chance to chicken out, the guide hauled Kristen up to the driver’s seat! She even got to hold the reins for a while.
We had already seen the area near the west entrance, now we walked back and saw several other villages. Jill liked the Wine Maker’s house, Kristen the pottery and schoolhouses, Dave the shoemaker.
Many area were participatory or exhibitions, which made the visit engaging. People were reaping rye in the fields by hand.
We had already seen the area near the west entrance, now we walked back and saw several other villages. Jill liked the Wine Maker’s house, Kristen the pottery and schoolhouses, Dave the shoemaker.
Many area were participatory or exhibitions, which made the visit engaging. People were reaping rye in the fields by hand.
The it was back to the car for our ride home. The highway stwetch from Brienz to Speiz is fine, with lots of tunnels and views of the Brienzersee and Thunnersee. And high speeds. But the stretch from Speiz to Chateau D’Oex is getting old. Though quite spectacularly scenic, it is slow moving and requires the driver’s full concentration. A bit much at the end of the day.
Oh yeah, Jill stopped by the Co-Op for some extras and we all enjoyed an al fresco dinner of salami, cheese, bread, leftover cheese, etc.
A hard rainstorm overnight knocked out power. It had better not do so tonight (our last night) or we’ll miss our plane.
Weather for Ballenberg was a nice sunny 75 degrees. Now (the next morning) it’s a bright clear blue sky, still a little chilly. Making us rethink our last day plans to just do lunch and an antique store, and pack. It’s 10:00 and a lot of the work is done – maybe we’ll take in something else.
Oh yeah, Jill stopped by the Co-Op for some extras and we all enjoyed an al fresco dinner of salami, cheese, bread, leftover cheese, etc.
A hard rainstorm overnight knocked out power. It had better not do so tonight (our last night) or we’ll miss our plane.
Weather for Ballenberg was a nice sunny 75 degrees. Now (the next morning) it’s a bright clear blue sky, still a little chilly. Making us rethink our last day plans to just do lunch and an antique store, and pack. It’s 10:00 and a lot of the work is done – maybe we’ll take in something else.