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Much of a muchness
Things that make you go 'hmm'…
Honey! I’m home!
Posted by on March 26, 2008
Well here I am, back in soggy Dorset and it is raining. Thank you all so much for your kind wishes, I did have a wonderful time. Ate and drank far too much but did quite a bit of walking so don’t feel too guilty about it. Having said that, the diet started as soon as I got back….
I traveled to Switzerland with my friend and her son and we were joined a day later by most of the rest of her family and some other friends so there was a chalet full. When we arrived in Geneva there was hardly any snow to be seen. We picked up the car and drove towards Crans Montana which is 2 hours away in the Valais region. It’s a lovely drive and skirts Lake Geneva (otherwise known as Lac Leman) for a good part of the journey, passing through Lausanne and Montreux.
The road follows the River Rhone along the valley to Sierre and then we climb the mountain to Crans Montana which is set on a plateau about 1500m up the mountain. When we arrived at the apartment, the snow was very thin on the ground and we had a couple of days of clear blue skies and sunshine. The day after the rest of the party arrived, we woke up to a blizzard and it snowed relentlessly all day. What a difference a day makes! As you can see from these before and after shots of the view from the chalet balcony.
We ventured into town for a little retail therapy and a very long, delicious lunch but the highlight of the day (as far as everyone else was concerned) was a huge dollop of snow falling off a roof top and landing on my head. Hilarious, I’m sure :-)
Here are a few more shots, taken over the week to give you a flavour of the holiday.
The other notable event happened when my friend and I went to the supermarket to shop before everyone else arrived and we couldn’t find a parking space. Eventually we spotted a man walking towards his car. Excitedly we cheered him and then realised it was Roger Moore, getting into a Volkswagen Golf. Apparently, he now lives in Crans Montana. I think he thought we were grinning and cheering at him because he was Roger Moore but we only wanted his parking space – sorry, Rog, we would have recognised you earlier had you been in a groovier car :-)
We actually watched ‘Live and Let Die’ (my favourite Bond movie) one night when we had eaten too much at lunchtime and didn’t want to go out and eat again. It’s such a long time since I had watched it, I had forgotten what a great theme tune it has and what a fun film it is. But Daniel Craig is still my favourite James Bond. Sorry, Roger….
Much of a muchness 
You made me homesick with these wonderful photos, Diane! Welcome back home.:-)
Thanks, Susanne! Switzerland is so beautiful but I think I would be three sizes larger if I stayed longer than a week. The yummiest food is SO fattening :-)
Welcome back. Those pictures are great. Funny spotting Roger Moore.
I’m glad you had a good time and who doesn’t need a drink and eat too much vacation now and then :)
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on The Colour of Magic. :)
Ah, my fav James Bond will always be Sean Connery. ;) I adored Roger Moore from The Saint though. Don’t know that I’d recognize him in person. He must have been crushed you didn’t ask for his autograph. LOL!
Welcome back!!! Missed you and your blogging.
I love the before-after photos of the blizzard, but I’m glad I wasn’t there. I’ll scream if I see any more snow before November.
Paul – Thanks! Glad you like the photographs. It’s not looking like I’ll have time to watch The C of M tonight – maybe tomorrow night….. I’ll keep you posted. Could always send you a DVD of the show…. :-)
Teresa – OK you have Sean and I’ll have Daniel. The only signs of George Clooney by the way, were endless watch ads all over the place – his eyes seem to follow you as you walk past them – yum!
As for blizzard – it was the only snow I have seen this winter – wouldn’t you know they had snow in the UK the weekend I was away… but I agree, enough is as good as a feast :-)
Mmmm. . .the mention of Daniel Craig almost distracted me from wishing you a warm welcome home! I’m glad you had a nice time on your trip. It sounds (and looks) absolutely delightful.
LOLOL about Roger Moore.
Love the pics.
Your ClustrMaps is totally covered except for Africa. Wow.
Gorgeous, the first photo, real “Sound of Music” stuff. The rest are very James Bond-like. Glad you enjoyed your trip. :)
That’s awesome you thought to record the show.
“Could always send you a DVD of the show…. :-) ” – you would be my official hero forever
“a huge dollop of snow falling off a roof top and landing on my head” I missed this the first time. I had something similiar happen to me only it was a seagull and, well, you know.
Paul :)
wow Diane ..the photos are superb….what a difference a day makes….the chalet looks so Swiss !!
looks like it was pretty busy on those ski slopes too…
these will make terrific book covers……
sounds like it was a fun trip……
Welcome back! Looked like you’re having a great time. :)
Hi Diane,
Welcome back!
The photos and the tone of your post express the marvelous time you’ve had during your well deserved vacation. I can see why, the photos of the place are beautiful.
In Asia and the Pacific, it’s the beginning of summer and even my laptop is sweating. :-) –Durano, done!
Amy – Daniel is rather distracting isn’t he? Now where was I? Oh yes, thanks for the welcome back, it was a great trip :-)
Ashley – I see you have only just joined Clustr maps – you will be amazed at how quickly it fills up! Glad you enjoyed the photographs.
Creechman – I did sing a couple of verses of ‘Climb Every Mountain’ at one point…..
Paul – I am watching episode 1 as I type (multitasking, you know) It’s very good and the effects and costumes etc. are amazing, really shows off the HDTV.
Kim – it was a really enjoyable trip. The scenery was amazing, and even though it was Easter, it wasn’t THAT crowded.
I did take pics with a view to turning some into books, I must admit :-)
Dunn – thanks, it was great, lots of great food, lovely scenery, masses of snow – perfect. :-)
Durano – I must admit, I’m a bit of a hothouse flower! I enjoyed the snow and the scenery etc. but wouldn’t like to live there. I need some sunshine now :-)
Glad you enjoyed the photos.
Awesome reath taking flower smelling photos Diane and as Dubai ramps up to the mid 30s (will reach 50 DEGREES C by august) we’d love a fresh air hit right now….
We’ve posted your ladybird email over at flowers and thanked you at the post – we truly appreciate you keep in touch and continue to smell the flowers!
Oooops not reath taking but BREATH taking….
Wreath not reath…
Anyway….we dont sell wreaths, just flowers….
Welcome back, Diane! Don’t forget to sign up for the new bookswap, it’s pretty international this time – in terms of participants as well as the theme :)
Deal on the division of Bond men! ;)
I’d love to have George’s eyes follow me…I think I’d love to have the actual George follow me even more! Bummer you got Roger in person instead of George.
Jim&Em – thought you might enjoy the policeman book….and glad you enjoyed the photos. Please send some sunshine and heat our way – it is cold and windy and raining again…:(
Astrid – thanks! I will check it out this morning. I have been busy since I got back but am now finally getting back into the swing of things :)
Teresa- excellent. Although I think I should warn you I did a similar deal with Kim at laketrees a while back….you may have to fight her for Sean……
ahh yes Sean is ALL MINE !!!
ie …if he ever becomes available :D
WOW Such wonderful photos of such stunning scenery.. I’d love to go there sometime :)
Kim – I watched ‘Entrapment’ the other night. Sean is rather dishy but I couldn’t quite believe him doing all those stunts…. Catherine Zeta Jones on the other hand looked amazing and is obviously very fit. She looked great. She can definitely play me in the film of my life ;-)
Lady B – you should go. It is SO pretty. Glad you enjoyed the photos instead. And it’s not so cold looking at them :-)