Arnex to Frankfurt and home

Arnex to Frankfurt – Wednesday 28^th July

This is our last real day. We enjoy breakfast with Denis (Martine has already gone to work) and then drive through the local hills to the village of Romainmôtier where there is a monastry. It became the centre of the Christian world between the 10^th and 12^th centuries.

The church is magnificent (we are now experts on churches) and the grounds beautiful.

We move on to Orbe (Arnex sur Orbe is the village of Arnex under the village of Orbe). A bigger village, with the mandatory castle ruins. Also of note, Nestle have a large factory, supplying employment in the village.

Our train departs from Yverdon on the Lac du Neuchâtel, so we go there and find a nice place for lunch in the town square. A beer, a salad, sunshine. The end of a fantastic holiday!

This is our last farewell, and as hard as the others. Denis, Bruce and I shared a few precious months in 1972 that will never be forgotten. That is evident on this visit.

We spend our last Swiss Francs on Swiss chocolate and then it is on to the train.

The train journey is as pleasant as all others. There is no stress about arriving on time. We had booked a hotel in Frankfurt that is in a convenient location and is a good price. As it turns out it is very close to the station (good) and in the middle of their red light district (not so good).

We get some good advice from the tourist office on where to find a decent German meal, so after a rest we walk to that part of town. Once again we find more tourist and international restaurants, but finally settle on a beer garden which turns out to be perfect – German sausage, beer for Bruce, wine for me and a balmy evening.

It is a very warm evening and we walk back to the hotel along the river. There are countless young people enjoying the evening air.

Frankfurt to Melbourne – Thursday 29^th July

It is up and out in the morning. Breakfast is offered at the hotel – adequate, but not a patch on the breakfasts we have already enjoyed.

The train journey to the airport, standing in queues to check in, going through customs and boarding the plane. The movies that cut out before they finish. The long walk around Kuala Lumpur airport and finally home, without incident.

Evan is busy with the film festival and it will be a week before we sit down together and talk. Mum is recovering, but she has had a torrid time and the family are drained.

We have photos and memories that cannot be erased. What a holiday!