Day 5
Onwards to Aigle
Cracked an eye open at 8, and it looked like heavy fog, but it might turn nice given time. Jill and I arose around 8:30, I made myself a nice ham and Fromage D’Alpage omelet, and we finally dragged Kristen’s butt out of bed around 10.
The fog was burning off as we ascended back up the Col De Mosses toward Aigle. The spectacular views are now becoming routine.
Aigle
We got to Aigle, parked, and took a long walk through town toward Chateau Aigle – 13th. C. As we approached, several churches began pealing out 12:00, lending a romantic atmosphere.
Outside the Chateau
At about 12:10 we walked into the restaurant across from the chateau, despite the high prices on the menu outside. Hey, we’re eating dinner at home every night…
The odd place had about 3 tables and no reception, though it did also have a small outdoor terrace. So there we were, standing in the middle of a fairly classy place, being told that no, there were no tables. Kind of odd, and unfriendly, for a place right across from a (very) minor tourist attraction.
Rather than walking back down towards the car, we decided to tour the castle (and wine museum) first.
The odd place had about 3 tables and no reception, though it did also have a small outdoor terrace. So there we were, standing in the middle of a fairly classy place, being told that no, there were no tables. Kind of odd, and unfriendly, for a place right across from a (very) minor tourist attraction.
Rather than walking back down towards the car, we decided to tour the castle (and wine museum) first.
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Chateau Aigle ended up being “not worth the journey”, especially after we climbed up 5-6 stories of circular staircase to see some (nice) old wine stuff – casks, bottles, corkscrews, etc.
Walked around the (small) ramparts, then checked out a room of 50+ year old wine labels. Some were cool. Various countries including China, the Baltics, and other oddities. Saw the chateau apartments, though we lost interest (except Kristen) and about 1:30 went back into the village to another restaurant we had seen. |
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Taverne Du Chateau
It hadn’t looked that attractive on the way in, mostly because a group of men were seated just inside the door – but on the way back we saw their outdoor terrace open, with some café tables, a fountains and an awning. Looked good.
So we had a seat, much needed, and a larger bottle of water (with “boules” - carbonation) while we waited for our plats du jour of roast chicken with frites and salad (Dave & Jill) and “Chicken Nuggets with Frites” (Kristen). Never saw the phrase “Chicken Nuggets” in France, but it’s on almost every Swiss kids’ menu.
So we had a seat, much needed, and a larger bottle of water (with “boules” - carbonation) while we waited for our plats du jour of roast chicken with frites and salad (Dave & Jill) and “Chicken Nuggets with Frites” (Kristen). Never saw the phrase “Chicken Nuggets” in France, but it’s on almost every Swiss kids’ menu.
Minor Celebrity
Lunch was good, and leisurely, though Jill thought her chicken a little dry. About 2:30 we called it a meal, and Dave enjoyed the nicest café bathroom on the continent, downstairs.
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Bade goodbye to monsieur and madame, then off for some more intense scenic driving. First – up numerous switchbacks to Villars, a large attractive resort town with magnificent views south. I should add that there were now many views of terraced vineyards, impossibly steep, on the way up to Villars, AIgle being a Swiss wine center.
Villars was a prosperous-looking resort town on the edge of a cliff, fairly spread out with numerous large chalet apartments, restaurants, etc. We liked it so much we visited twice – well actually we missed our turn and ended up in the next town (where a train running down the street forced us into the opposite lane), then came back to find our turn towards Les Diablarets (The Little Devils, same town where we got the cowbell.) The route took us over the Col de Croix, a ridiculously steep road where we saw numerous bikers, motorized and non-, making the ascent. Stopped near the top for some photos, then slowly descended into Les Diablarets. Kristen had a chocolate ice cream and dad a Capirhena (!) sorbet at a café on a corner. |
Then back home via the Col De Mosses. We’ll have to come back for the Donc Festival – rock and blues in the middle of nowhere, believe it or not, starts tomorrow. Route back took longer than I had remembered.
We were exhausted when we got home, and Jill made a very nice dinner of goat cheese salad, I cooked the bacon and melted the goat cheese. Meringue “cookies” for dessert, plus a little chocolate. The meringue was kinda sweet for me.
Day 6 >>>
We were exhausted when we got home, and Jill made a very nice dinner of goat cheese salad, I cooked the bacon and melted the goat cheese. Meringue “cookies” for dessert, plus a little chocolate. The meringue was kinda sweet for me.
Day 6 >>>
