Our departure from Andermatt was only temporary, a short trip to visit the Devils Bridge, site of a historic battle between French and Russian troops in 1799 (history has a way of repeating itself). The bridge is at the only crossing point in the region, the terrain being very, very difficult. Amazing to see the engineering involved, some of which dates back two thousand years, designed to overcome the most impossible obstacles. Anyway, the short story is that the French withdrew, blowing up the bridge behind them. The Russians, not to be frustrated, apparently used the scarves of their officers to lash lengths of wood together to bridge the gap. Both sides suffered terrible losses, but the Russians won the day - hence a significant monument to the Russian General Suwurow. While we were there we saw a grandfather, fit and lithe, head up a fairly shear rock face with his 10 year old grandson, both roped up with climbing gear, their goal hundreds of metres straight up - I guess that is what they do in Switzerland. Back to Andermatt to watch the arrival of the Post Stage Coach, drawn by 5 massive horses. For 540 Swiss Francs (about NZ$1100) you can spend the day with this attraction. More passes on this day where we don't have far to go, plenty of time to spend on peaks well above the snow line, staring far beyond the horizon, enjoying the sunshine. Marmots (think large rodents, almost a beaver but without the flat tail and water) amused us with their antics, busy in the short summer digging burrows and gathering food, sussing us out looking for a handout. At one point we crossed the runway at a military base - flat land being at a premium, when the Air Force aren't using the runway, part of it doubles as a road. The hangers for fighter jets are secured in camouflaged bomb proof bunkers all over the air field. Our hotel for the next couple of days is Beatenburg, high above the popular tourist town and beautiful lake at Interlaken. Time to do some washing! Don Comments are closed.
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Don MalcolmA perfect day involves being on my Harley with a long ride ahead.
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