Today started with a train ride from Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald, one of the biggest towns in the area. From there, a 25 minute cable car trip up to First (2168m altitude), a mountain top activity centre with spectacular scenery and options such as zip-wires (fully booked – honest!) and karting down the mountain (queue too long!). I did convince Mrs H to do the cliff walk, but she didn’t look too happy about it!

Back down to Grindelwald and up another cable car, the other side of the valley, to Männlichen (2222m), passing some cows on the way up and a huge wooden cow (!) in the playground at the top. The location has incredible views both back to Grindelwald and down the other side to Wengen (halfway down) and further to Lauterbrunnen. After a stop for drinks and some apple pie, we briefly considered hiking up the steep path to the summit (2345m) but decided to take the other cable car down to Wengen (1282m). It looks like a very old-fashioned mountain town which we need to explore later. We completed our round trip with a ride on the cog railway back to Lauterbrunnen.

After a slow start on our first full day, we took the cable car from Lauterbrunnen up to Grűtschalp (elevation 1400m). We then took the scenic path along the mountain ridge to the delightfully named Winteregg. From the path we could see down into the valley, across to Wengen on the opposite side of the valley and up to the mighty Jungfrau above us (all whilst listening to the tinkling of cowbells in the distance)

We took the little train that runs along the ridge back to the cable car. In the photo you can almost see the three main peaks of the region: the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau (unfortunately, the Eiger is behind a cloud!).

The drive from Dijon to Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland was hard work. We lost time as we had to take a major diversion due to one of the motorways being closed. Just 15 minutes from our final destination a van driver coming in the opposite direction decided to take a wide swing around a curve and took most of one of our wing mirrors with him! I think a partial repair is possible if I can find some tape!

Our campsite is Camping Jungfrau in Lauterbrunnen, just south of Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland. We’ll start exploring tomorrow but the views are spectacular – here are some photos taken from the grounds of the campsite with a video showing the view from the front of the van:

After a one night stop, we headed south on a five hour trip through a rather wet France to Dijon where we booked a two night stop at an Aire adjacent to the campsite at Lake Kir on the west side of the town.

We spent the next day walking around a very hot and sunny town……

We stopped at the amazing Les Halles food market and the impressive Palais des Ducs, which now is home to the Musée des Beaux-Arts.

Our lunch was at a recommended restaurant called ‘Dr Wine’ (good name). The starter just had to come with local mustard. The main course was a mind-blowing combination of fish, cous-cous, orange, grapefruit and turnip! I liked it but Sue wasn’t convinced!

We’re off to Europe again, heading south towards Switzerland. About an hour south of Calais is the town of Arras. We seem to have stumbled upon an excellent new Aire just north of the town centre. It’s next to a river with big pitches, electricity and WiFi included in the very reasonable price. I think we’ll be back in the not too distant future. The vans parked here range from huge 9 metre twin axle palaces to a delightful vintage Citroën campervan.