Evening 6th – early 8th June

We had to leave Zermatt to come back for the bestest date EVER.

Dinner with Niamh, John, and their beautiful children.

When I left Switzerland Dylan, their eldest, was around 8 months old and one of my favourite people on the planet already. He was small and chubby and cute and cuddly and adorable and, and, and.

Now this kid, not a kid really, is 13 and taller than me. And handsome, funny, charming, and the big brother to two gorgeous girls Mia and Zara.

So, we left Zermatt and I drove back to Geneva. That was damn exciting, torrential rain, no visibility, crazy wind, fun times. But we made it and Geneva had put on a beautiful and sunny afternoon to welcome us back. We had heard the weather was absolutely obscene that morning, but she was innocently smiling sunshine, as if “who me”?

I had a few chores to do, so we parked up at Chateaux Streiffjert delivered our luggage, put on some washing and went to the mall.

All tasks were done and dusted in record time, so we went back to the Chateaux and got ready for our dinner. Jason was super excited, a home cooked meal!

We caught the bus and did a little tour of the supermarket to get wine and beer, before heading to Niamh’s place. Where we promptly got lost. Luckily Mia and Zara are experts at finding lost visitors and they came and rescued us. Meeting number one, they are GORGEOUS!

Dylan was a shock to the system, it’s hard to think of that adorable baby being so grown up despite seeing photos of him on Facebook. But I would recognise that face!

Niamh and I hit the road and went for a walk, so great to spend some alone time with my good friend and just talk shite! And we did J it was awesome to do the same trail I used to do when I worked at WHO and see the beautiful scenery.

We left the boys to look after the house and do the dishes, yeah right 😛

Seeing the kids, and the parents of course ha, ha, was just wonderful. It was great to get to know them, even just a little bit. What a wonderful night, with great food (thanks for the feast Niamh), wine, company, and amazing kids who I miss already.

After enough wine was consumed and it was getting a little late on a school night, we jumped on the bus, after a failed Uber attempt – flat battery etc, and made it home at a reasonable time, kind of J

A lovely and wonderful evening. Gush, gush, gush.

Tomorrow, our last day in Switzerland.

After my apprehension of being here, I am going to miss this place and the people I have reconnected with.

Sleep time.

Geneva site seeing tomorrow.

7^th June –Last Day with an old friend

We decided that we would spend the last day really seeing around town, we had mainly spent our time going to different places but Jason had not really explored Geneva. So time to do the proper introduction, if a little delayed.

We organised our suitcases and got ourselves sorted, as much as possible, s our flight, what was I thinking, is at 700am the next day. That means getting to the airport at 500am. Sometimes I am just not very bright.

Then we got on the tram and went into town. We walked around one of the main shopping streets, rue de Rhone, waiting for the Victronix shop to open. We had souvenirs to buy!

After purchasing some weapons of mass usefulness, Swiss army knives rule, and a few other bits a pieces we wandered across the river around streets, in and out of shops, just weaving our way through the streets. Mostly the town looks the same, I can remember old haunts and favourite shops, but the feeling wasn’t the same. I am not sure how to describe it.

Jason seemed very unimpressed by the area too, mainly due to the fact that we have been to so many cities, with old buildings, and pretty outlooks. Clearly it was time for lunch.

We decided to end how we started and hunt our some fillet de perche. We threw caution, and francs, to the wind and opted to eat at one of the courtyard restaurants. This time we selected Café du Center. The service was fast and efficient, the fish divine, and the wine tasty. It was a little different to L’Impreinte but both were lovely.

Lunch in, wine and beer on board, time to see old town. This truly was a flash back in time, we even found Roi Ubu! It was closed so no opportunity to go in and reminisce, probably a good thing.

The day was still young so I offered to drive Jason to the Saleve summit to see the view and take photos. After all, Geneva had put on a stunning last day for us, mostly.

We headed back to CS, picked up the car, and hit the road. Miss GPS took us the French route, not my favourite, but we got there eventually and went walking around the tracks. There were loads of paragliders, due to the wind, and that was amazing to watch! At one point there were around 8 in the air at one time.

The views were great, lots of photos were taken, and back to the car. Time to head home, fill up the car, get ready to visit Charlotte hopefully, and get ready for dinner.

Easier said than done.

Sigh, every trip needs an argument right, getting back down the hill was easy, we went the Swiss route and that is always such a fun drive. Next item on the list, petrol station. The only one we could find nearby was on the motorway.

So we foolishly manoeuvred our way there, without thinking. This petrol station has us pointing to France. A bit of chaos, late decision making, hesitation from the driver, and yet again we were in France. There was eye rolling, grumpiness, and sulking (no names mentioned).

Next time the car goes back empty!

Eventually we made it back to the Chateaux in time to get ready for dinner, and not a lot else. But at least we were not stuck in France, no offense France 😛

DINNER

Our host and food connoisseur, Carlos, had been telling us about this restaurant Small Meats (some things are best left untranslated) and we were really looking forward to going.

We arrived, a little late, to find the lovely Mariko waiting for us. Fred and another friend of Carlos also joined and pretty soon it was a table of 7 having a great night!

The restaurant only serves one thing, meat. Meat, and more meat. And, they just keep bringing it until you explode. There are little charcoal BBQs on the table that you use to cook the meat to your own liking.

Mariko is a legend, where does that girl put that food!

I gave up, amateur, and the others continued for a few more rounds.

The meat, meat, and meat was followed up with a vodka sorbet – yes please, and thank you.

Then Manzana – that stuff is lethal, it tastes like spicy apple juice, warms your throat and, I can imagine after a few, kicks your arse.

Jason and I wisely stopped at 1, there was a 400am wakeup to think of.

The night was great, the company amusing and interesting, and the time in Geneva was drawing to a close.

I cannot emphasise enough our thanks to Carlos and family who made us so welcome in their home. We owe you and cannot wait to see you in NZ.

At 400am the alarms went off and we dragged ourselves out of bed to head to the airport.

It all went smoothly, we made the flight, our bags were within the correct weight, no delays, cancellations, or drama.

Just goodbye Geneva, it was great to see you my old friend.