In spring this year we discovered a new, absolutely gorgeous part of Switzerland: Jura. Hidden in the Franches-Montagnes, just at to border of France you'll find yourself amidst impressive landscape... valleys, lovely hills, moorland, woods... and everywhere HORSES.
It was clear as daylight that we wantend to stay at least a few days. The three girls were crazy about the horses, Dady went nuts about the forrest and the chance of finding mushrooms.
Said and done. In August this year we packed our bag, sat in our car and started our short vacation. It was a exciting journey. On our way we stopped in a zoo, had a picnic and admired the white tigers.
In the afternoon we hit the road again... and got stopped... by dinosaurs! They were really dangerous, huge, impressive, and, thank goodness, extincted long ago.
It goes without saying that it was pretty difficult to get Alissa back in the car. Most probably she would have slept between the legs of her beloved T-REX. But time was running and we were looking forward to eye up our 'home' in Les Emibois.
Our guesthous was a cosy place with a familiar atmosphere... and, horses in the backyard. Hungry as we were, we just changed and drived on to Saignelégier where we enjoyed our dinner while the sun waved goodbye in her most beautiful form...
Our first night was peaceful, but not really restorativ. Luana was blabbering for at least 2 hours before she fell asleep... and when she finally slept she rolled from one side of the bed to the other... and, as a matter of fact, fell out of her bed. In the middle of the night we collected all cushion we found (a considerable amount!) and blanked off her side of the bed. Well, the next time I woke up in order to check if everything is o.k. I thought I'm finally crazy. The side where Luana supposed to be asleep like a log... empty! No Luana in the room, nor in our bed or in the bathroom ... panic... but there she was. Completly covered under our cushion barricade... of course fast asleep!
The next morning we strenghten ourselfs with a hearty breakfast... and off we went. First we payed a visit at 'Etang de la Gruère. There's noting left to say to this place... just take a look at the photos...
For the afternoon we arranged horse and carriage for a little trip in the countryside... unfortunately for only one hour. Later on we went for sightseeing, had coffee somewhere in the forrest between cows and horses and enjoyed peace and silence in this lovely part of the world.
Unfortunately everything has an end, and we finished the day with a nice dinner somewhere in Montfaucon...
The other day (everybody slept well and without getting lost) it was the girls horseback riding day. Me for my part was free to spend a few hours with my beloved animals. This time not in a boring indoor riding arena, but outside within trees, hills, horses and cows. I truly felt like the happiest cowgirl on earth. Also the little ones enjoyed an hour on the back of a pony and kept Dady quite busy, who didn't trot fast enough for their liking.
In the afternoon the clouds were getting dark and soon it started to rain. We didn't mind to hang around a while, having coffee in a little restaurant nearby. Me for my part was rather excited at this point of time. I couldn't stop thinking about my brother, for whom the dream of a lifetime came true at this very moment: his first flight in the Swiss Army Jet 'Hunter'. Sitting there, keeping our fingers crossed we waited for a first feedback...
In the evening we were planning to take a look at the training session for horse race (carriage drawn by four horses) at the famous Marché Concours in Seignelégier, which was going to take place at the very week-end (when we're back home!) Enjoying our food in a restaurant where (how else could it be) the window was facing the horse riding arena, we forgot about the time... and when we arrived at the arena we only saw the wheels of a carriage disappear behind the stables. Well, never mind. Hopefully we'll have the chance to see this big event next year...
Our last day started as usual: with a luxurious breakfast. Then it was time to say goodbye to the host (and horses in the stable). Well, only for now...as it is clear as eggs is eggs, we'll be back before long. Because the weather did't look too friendly we decided to set off direction home...
...of course this didn't mean that we hadn't have a good plan in our pocket. After the time between fir trees and willows we set off for the jungle... and ended up in Kerzers Papillorama. At 30°C and a humidity that made me and Rodney really feel homesick for Seychelles, we gazed at thousands of butterflies, tropical plants, birds... you name it.
But, as lovely it was, after a few hours in the tropics, we had to hit the road... this time: home. Well, it was quite obvious that Rodney didn't feel like rushing home, and so we went a long way round (he even took the mountain road over Ächerli) before we finally stopped in front of our house. Four wonderful days ended and each one of us is looking forward to the next opportunity to go back again...
