30 April

Here's a bizarre thing. At exactly midnight last night I got tonsilitis. Seriously! I was up and suddenly I could feel my throat closing. I looked at the clock and it was midnight. Very strange experience. Its a bit of a disaster. At the end of this week my choir is touring the south of France, and I really really need to have a voice. Its also a glorious day and I am most miffed to not be out in it.

I did go to the International Book and Press Salon last night. I wasn't there for long, but long enough to get myself in trouble. I am afraid I have gone and committed myself to a rather long and large investment. You can go and have a look at it if you like. Its probably better not to ask, but I will tell you that the company have favourable payment plans. And need them.

26 April

Well tonight is washing night so in between loads I can get a bit done. So...

Tony and Annette left on Thursday morning. I was sad to see them go, they brought a wonderful reminder of home. Great company, they were very laid back about the awful weather and I think quite enjoyed the opportunity to relax a bit before they left on their next grand adventure.

Fran arrived Thursday night. The Human Rights Commission was drawing to a close, so taking Friday off was a relaxing way to end the busiest part of the work year. The weather was glorious and we drove around the lake, to Montreux and Chateau Chillon.

To go home, we took the long way around the lake. We drove past Yvoire and decided that we just HAD to return in the morning. Can you see why?

The next day I drove Fran to Lyon to bid her farewell.

Well.. I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I have lots of news for you. The bad news is I am not going to tell you it tonight. You are going to have to wait until I get a chance to sit down and do some stuff: probably Tuesday night.

• Fran's visit
• Chateau Chillon (I just can't stay away!)
• Yvoire
• Perouge (an accidental visit to a truly fabulous Medieval Village)

20 April 2005

I have had the pleasure of a visit from my dear friend Tony and (a new friend) Annette. Sadly Switzerland turned on its absolute worst for the occasion.

On the first day (Saturday) we went for a drive to buy some pillows, back home for lunch (a simple fare of fois gras, bread, cheeses and salads) then drove on to Annecy. But even Annecy's beauty was dimmed by the icy rain and gloomy skies.

On Sunday I decided that Tony and Annette really should see a French market, so drove them to Divonne. I hadn't realised though, that the drizzle in Geneva was SNOW in Divonne. Well, to be more accurate... slush. Even the marketers didn't want to be there, only a handful turning up to face the cold. After buying a chook we headed home to the warmth for lunch. Then, dressed up in my winter woolies (yes all three of us in MY winter woolies) we headed towards Montreux and Chateau Chillon.

But, having taken the turn off to Grand St Bernard, we struck snow. I mean serious snow. The road was covered and my little car could manage ok if continuing to move, but when having to stop and start, the whole thing did a bizarre mini-fishtail. It was scary stuff and we decided to turn off and head back through Lausanne. Lausanne had a full blackout and apparently all the schools were closed the next day.

Now you have to take into account that it is now the middle of SPRING. This was a truly bizarre bit of weather, and although it was kinda cool for Annette and Tony to get to see Switzerland all in snow, it was not ideal weather for wandering around admiring the landscape. Landscape? What Landscape? All we could see was snow!

We did stop in Morges to see the Chateau there, which, for those of military bent, is a military museum. There were some interesting bits of armour and pikes, and more interestingly for me, some uniforms (nothing really ancient, but there were some 18th century ones!)

2 April

Neuchatel and Basel. Rachel drove me up to Basel, with a quick stop in Neuchatel. Groovy fountains.