Sore Legs in Zermatt!

We made it!

Today we staggered our way into Zermatt (Switzerland) after an exhausting but highly adventurous 12 days. Neither us could barely walk another step when we first arrived, but at our first sighting of the Matterhorn (our final destination) we couldn't help but  run to a viewing point and drop our packs -  both speechless. It's something to be seen to be believed! The Swiss Alps are truly magnificent and we wish we had time to post some our photos. But yes Di, a slide night for all the Francophiles at home might be in order!! We'll make it a fondue night (speaking of which - I've never seen so much cheese in all of my life - the Swiss even scrape huge chunks of it onto a hot plate in front of you and you eat it grilled and bubbling just on it's own!! - and you can smell on the streets everywhere you walk)

Unfortunately due to bad weather we had to miss a few mountain passes on our walk (too much snow on the peaks making steep climbing dangerous as well as the chance of the track being covered in snow). Tony was very dissapointed,  but at minus zero degree temperatures at times and climbing relentlessly with full packs for 3-4 hours at a time whilst it was snowing, I was very happy to use the cable car on a few legs!!!  Besides, we had the opportunity to visit more remote villages and see the real Switzerland. And yes Raylene - we've had to opportunity to ring a few cow bells - real ones too! The most amazing thing to see whilst hiking is  these huge big bottom Marmots (they look like big fat squirrels) that bask out in the sun. Here in Zermatt, you can buy stuffed one's that yodel when you press their bellies. Tony won't let me buy one of course, so I've had to put up with his yodelling instead!

Out of sheer luck, on arrival in Zermatt, we were treated to a local festival in full swing in the town square and had the opportunity to see locals playing those huge swiss horns you see in photo's - as well as groups of dances from each local village doing traditional dancing and yodelling whilst drinking schnapps!! It was an unbelievable experience, something we couldn't have hoped for. Travelling the road less travelled has certainly allowed us the opportunity to experience a different Switzerland and we'd love to come back as guides!!

Our plan now is tomorrow to ride the cable car up to the Klien Matterhorn at 3880 metres and see the peaks of the Alps up close. We'll spend a few days exploring the area (and eating cheese!) before catching the Mount Blanc Express train back to Chamonix to collect our luggage and a hire car. We're both very sad that our mountain adventure is over (meeting locals and chatting with hikers from all over the world - plus experiencing the remoteness of walking in such awesome mountains - is very hard to put into words) but we're also looking forward to seeing other parts of France now (particularly some warmer areas for me!).

Thanks again for all of your posts and emails! We miss you all and wish we could share more of our experiences, however we're still finding it difficult to access internet sites and already Tony is beckoning me to sign off.

Till next time - take care, stay posted and keep leaving us messages!

Love Liana and Tony