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Date: 27-05-2007

Holiday - Switzerland - Wo gibt es Bier (Where's the beer) Part 1

Writen by: Paul le Roux

Creux De Van

I think a wandering pig must've got lost wandering through the kitchen and eventually boarded my plate en-route my stomach. I had finally emerged the victor over the obstacle course that had me veerring hopelessly off-piste in a bid to clamber up the north side of the Creux du Van only to find that long before I could reach solid rock to climb, my invented route had steeped to the extent that each time my one boot lifted to gain ground the other lost same to the terribly loose sandstone/shale or whatever the hell it was - it was loose stuff - very loose stuff. A couple of Chamois I passed even shook their heads in disbelief.

It was the most rewarding meal I'd ever had. Honestly. I've never eaten anything so incredibly gorgeous that I could've married it on the spot. It was Rosti. But not just any Rosti � this was Rosti at that cabin atop the Creux du Van, I remember it as le Soliat? Could be. I forget. But anyway, that was where I overnighted after that enormous plate that made me feel I'd slept for two. (Certainly had me feeling I'd eaten for two!) I think I paid something like 25 Swiss Francs or thereabouts for the meal and the night's stay, and this was arguably the best bargain I'd come across. The point about the pig was that there was plenty of pork atop and in the rosti on my plate.

Most hiking guides will show you part of the route from the other way, but I'll show you just why my way is better. Later on though - you'll see why anyway, but please do remind me to elaborate. But first I have to furnish a reason as to why I'd gone totally off the route soon after leaving Ferme Robert, clambering rather aimlessly like a mad fool: falling trees. I have a phobia for falling trees. Not so much that a tree should fall as that one should land square on the crown of my head. Okay, so I don't really have a fear of falling trees. I suffer treeban-goncrown-phobia. See, they were lumbering, and so there were trees falling all over the place, and apparently the route had been closed. Of course, the walking guide I was consulting mentioned nothing of it. (I'm surprised they never thought to put that information in when they published it two years before.) Anyway, after my rosti I waited for the "Entree Interdit" ("Inbetween-starters up ahead" as I had read the sign ahead of the chainsaws � perhaps this was the starter you get in Switzerland between main course and dessert?), but got really tired waiting about so went to bed sans-pudding.

Now to get a good picture of just exactly what I'd planned, you can consult this map over here. Look closely on the right hand side just above middle for "Boudry", which is where my story was supposed to begin, and then pan your eyes (one eye at a time starting with the right) left-ish and down a tad (as you squint with each alternate pan) to a place called "Motiers". This was where I ended my journey boarding the train back to Geneve via Yverdon.

Now let's get to the first part of the story, where the most peaceful part of the walk began, from a little station you could easily miss if you weren't practically hanging out of the train window (from Lausanne) at the time to see it. Put it this way - if you find yourself in Neuchatel then you know you've missed it. (Probably because you were hanging out of the window to not miss it, and had missed the "Boudry" announcement over the train's intercom.)

Gorge de l'Areuse from just up from Boudry on to just before Noiraigue itself is an experience almost spiritual.... next!

Authour: Paul's incredible adventures across Europe a few years back has landed him somewhere in Switzerland and he has written a small piece of it in this wonderful article. If you would like to know more about Paul and view his works, you can view his other articles right here at SGSmallBiz! Oh, Paul is also the administrator of an UK Search Engine.

Other articles by Paul and Peter le Roux, the two Europe travelling brothers.
Part 1 of Chateau de Chillon: Switzerland - Chateau de Chillon (Part 1)
Part 2 of Chateau de Chillon: Switzerland - Chateau de Chillon (Part 2)
Part 3 of Chateau de Chillon: Switzerland - Chateau de Chillon (Part 3)
Brugge of Belgium: Belgium - Brugge
HMS Belfast: London - HMS Belfast - Floating War Museum
Wo gibt es Bier Part 2: Wo gibt es Bier Part 2
Switzerland - Wo gibt es Bier Part 3
Switzerland - Wo gibt es Bier Part 4
Switzerland - Tete de Moine