SWITZERLAND #2

I'm still in Switzerland but now further south visiting friends Jeff and Donna. They live in the small village of Dommartin Where Jeff previously was a pastor. The train ride here was beautiful passing Many small villages and vineyards and farms. When I arrived In Romont We went to a coffee shop and had coffee. Good to rest after my train ride! 

 We exlpored the village of Romont Which is home to a medieval Chateau and a stained glass museum. The chateau dates from the middle ages and had beautiful stained glass windows.it The museum is home to many beautiful Stained glass works. 

 

As we continued on the way to Jeff and Donna's home we stopped at another church building From 1055, The church of Curtilles. This building is notable because of the well-maintained frescoes Inside.

Previously a Catholic parish in Moudon, in the beautiful building there, many of the images were destroyed during the Protestant reformation because of their belief that we shouldn't have images of God in worship. One such example of this destruction is this wooden statue of Christ with the face scraped off. 

Thursday we also had a chance to explore the beautiful village of Dommartin and had lunch at a local inn. Jeff and Donna seem to know everyone in this village, and the owner/chef treated us well. We had a special dish of perch and fried potatoes. The village is surrounded by farms and lovely landscapes.

Friday we walked to the farmers market to get some fresh vegetables. I could see the farm just outside Jeff and Donna's balcony. The farmer also has a lot of animals: horses, cows, chickens, and even 2 camels. 

Friday night Jeff gave a presentation in the local community center about his travels as a pilgrim on different pilgrimages. It was very interesting to hear about his treks through Europe: Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal. There was a gathering of a about 50 people to hear his story, followed by a nice dinner. I met many of Jeff and Donna's friends there.

Saturday evening their son Luke and his family came for a raclette meal of melted Swiss Raclette cheese over boiled potatoes accompanied by pickles and ham and other goodies. It was great to meet Luke and Erin and their son James And share a Swiss meal together.

Sunday was a day full of activity. We drove to Saillon, the former place where Jeff and Donna lived, for a fête medieval or medieval festival. The festival included costumes, singing, competitions on horses, food, crafts, and even jousting. Jeff and Donna saw many friends that they had known from before.

After the medieval festival we visited some other places in Saillon, including the church Jeff used to serve. While he was pastor there the church was completely renovated in a beautiful way to be able to enjoy its unique view of lake Geneva.

Monday we relaxed at an amazing spa in the Alps Called Les bains de Lavey I wasn't able to take pictures because I had to lock up my phone and all my belongings in a locker before going into the spa. The space included 3 large swimming pools of different temperatures and different kinds of waterfalls, and bubbling pools for massage. I think my favorite was a whirlpool that swirled us around in a spiral as we relaxed in the water.  There were 2 sauna rooms both wet and dry. I enjoyed the dry sauna for about 15 minutes and then went out to the snow machine to grab handfuls of snow to cool off. At the end of the day we came back to Jeff and Donna's house and fell asleep soon after our heads hit the pillow, completely relaxed and ready to sleep.

Tuesday was Jeff and Donna's 53rd wedding anniversary.   We celebrated (Jeff, Donna and the 3rd wheel Pat) by going For lunch at the Foundation St. Barthélemy. It is a little known restaurant at a home for disabled. The the residents there run a farm with lots of animals and also serve in the restaurant. The service was five star, polite and professional. After lunch we took a short hike to see all the variety of animals which live there. 

Then we five drove to a village called Romainmôtier with its Romanesque Abbey and monastery. Tore architecture of the entire city was striking.

we had fun singing hymns in the upper room where the acoustics improved even my mediocre voice!

After much walking we took a rest and coffee at the local cafe. We spent a couple hours laughing, talking, and reminiscing about our friends and activities over fifty years ago at Lynbrook High School. We laughed so much --- good medicine for my soul! 

I had a wonderful time with such gracious hosts here in Switzerland!