travel with aimee

Leaving our interesting accommodation the previous night, our next stop was Switzerland. We headed to Bern first as Ben has family there whom were happy for us to stay the night. On arrival, we were greeted with some freshly squeezed blood orange juice (life changing!) and then his auntie offered to put our clothes in their washing machine, which was much needed. I helped her peg them up while Ben caught up with his cousin and also had a shower. I also had a shower and oh my word, you forget how nice a proper, high pressure shower feels after surviving in hostels for a little bit.

We also had our first proper meal since leaving home that night which was lovely. No matter what they put on our plate, me and Ben were ravenous! After food, we all sat on the sofas for a bit, had some chocolate (heaven) and then headed to bed. Luckily we had roll out floor mats with us as we were on the floor, but nonetheless we were grateful for the free hospice.

Waking up on the 4th of February, having some proper breakfast, we emptied our bags a little to leave at theirs while we planned on spending a night camping in the beautiful Interlakken. Trains in switzerland were so useful and plentiful so it was no hardship getting there. We spent a while walking around, admiring the scenery, before the search for a place to pitch up.

Never again is all i will say.

I’m fine with camping…when it’s in a proper campsite, with facilities and decent weather. However Ben found the ‘most amazing’ spot…up a steep mountain…

Yeah i wasn’t impressed

About 20 minutes later, and a few tears we were there. Exhausted, hungry and emotionally worn out, carrying my bag up the hill with thorns at my sides was bound to evoke a few tears (sorry Ben!). While i regained emotional stability, Ben pitched up the tent. He also set up a little campfire and a log we could sit on. Despite the journey there, it was pretty good spot because the view was unbeatable.

That night, we warmed up ration packets of bolognese using the fire, drank a bottle of rosé before settling in for the night.

And what a night it was.

I don’t just feel the cold, i FEEL the cold so camping in Switzerland, in early February was not ideal for me. No matter what i could not get warm. I couldn’t stop shivering, despite my thermals, Ben’s thermals and my sleeping bag. I ended up waking up at 2am in tears telling Ben ‘I love you but i don’t have to like you right now’ (sorry Ben again!). Basically, it was not a good night in the record of Aimee.

When we woke up the next morning (5th February) we packed up, went a slightly harder way down (Ben thought it was maybe an easier route : it wasn’t) and went for a day trip to Grindelwald.

Grindelwald was super cool, a place that’s very popular for skiing and it was obvious why. We didn’t spend too long there, had a little wander around, wrapped up to the max. The views were unreal, but so was the temperature. We returned to Bern to pick up our bags and our washing, thanked Ben’s uncle and carried on our travels to Wabern (another little layover).

After the night we had, arriving to Wabern and seeing that we would be staying in such a lush Chalet was enough to bring tears to my eyes. Very much courtesy of my Dad though since i had to do some assessments online so needed privacy which a hostel couldn’t give. While i sat down (in our own room), i entrusted Ben to go to the shops and buy some things for our tea. He did not disappoint. He came back, exclaiming ‘we are eating like royalty tonight!’ and got right to cooking. 10/10. Prawn, salmon, pasta. Perfect! Honestly, he better make that when we get home coz it was beautiful!

Belly’s full, we returned to our lovely room, and got super cozy and relished in the fact that we had a TV. Albeit there was no english channels and only one DVD but lucky for me it was a Rom-Com (No hard feelings) which i loved! That night, i had possibly the most well earned sleep of my life (in my humble opinion) and in the morning I took lots of their mini toblerones to fuel us for our next stop: Italiaaaa!