(This street bar wasn't open when we first walked by, but the flowers in their olive oil cans were...)4 August* > The day started early and well. By chance, our buddy Neil was on the same first two legs of the three-legged trip into Switzerland (he was going on to Mürren for some real R&R); and then, when we arrived in the Solothurn station, our friends Joël & Eric were standing exactly at the point at which our wagon came to a halt. And from this point, we began our walking. And walking & walking & eating & drinking & walking & walking & so on...
The weather wasn't altogether what you'd call promising, but a town like Solothurn isn't hurt much by anything of the sort...
So, yeah, certain clichés associated with the country are well-deserved. For (obvious) instance: it's a fairly expensive place. But then again... Well, the hotel was more expensive than we'd pay in France. But! There was a free bar for guests. Heh! heh! And quite a breakfast buffet...*Happy Birthday, Evie!
5 August > A good, long day of walking, palace visiting and more free drinks. The castle - a lovely little place, tucked in alongside other houses in a residential area just outside of the old town center - was hosting a wedding reception. After we'd seen the Cassanova exhibit (whoa!) and various other curiosities and were waiting at the door for the rain to let up, Jean-Philippe went looking for Tomi, who he thought had lost himself among the wedding guests. And he came back with two glasses of fine Swiss white wine. They'd been graciously offered him as he looked among the skirts and polished shoes for his little rug rat - who had been with his mama the whole time! Back in town, we met up with Eric, Joël & Zoé at a four star restaurant that had once served Napoleon a glass of water (it's true!) and then we found the best pizza in Switzerland at one of that country's ubiquitous Italian restaurants. So good!6 August > Back in Strasbourg, where our old friend Härry was making a detour on his way from Budapest to Berlin. He & Anne-Sophie & Caroline had visited the beloved goat farm earlier in the day, and brought back the fixins for a feast - which Fred and we joined in, ever so gladly.
7 August > A wee red corner of Härry's good-bye brunch. And Härry!Many, many thanks to all who've checked in and who've left notes (on the blog or via email), and especially to my aunts Kathy and Peg, for showing it to Gramma. And good luck to my cousin Jack (& to his wife Sara & their little ones). I hope you had a wonderful time at home with the family.
