To Switzerland - Spiez

...and yet again, another treat. We were heading for Interlaken - took one look at the hotel prices and decided to stay just short of there in Spiez. The hotel was the worst one we have stayed in and one of the most expensive, a sharp contrast to our experience in Dijon. The room was drab and tiny; the bed uncomfortable. We discovered when we were checking out that they had just sold and were moving out immediately.

However Spiez is terrific. 
DM even expressed a desire to have a small boat. Never been known to utter that phrase!

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/spiez.html

Beautiful countryside in Switzerland is a given; flower boxes and hanging baskets everywhere as one drives along, even in the smallest villages. All these photos are in Spiez itself. Picture perfect. A real find

The view from our hotel

Inside the courtyards of Dijon

A few photos of what one can find in the areas away from the main streets, in public and private courtyards

A beautiful day in Dijon

This is not far from the hotel and very popular with the locals

I do like a good looking tram - quiet too

Dijon - at last

I have been waiting for the Dijon photos. DM always gives them the once over before I publish and he has been so distracted by new subjects that these had to be coerced from him. I just can't help it - I want it all in chronological order. I just did that silly test for left brain/right brain and came out dead in the middle. I wonder what that means...

Dijon is terrific. So much so, we stayed there an extra night at this wonderful hotel

Hotel Philippe Le Bon

 http://au.hotels.com/ho144328/hotel-philippe-le-bon-dijon-france/

We had many lovely chats to the receptionist who checked us in and looked after us so well. DM wrote a note from us to the hotel saying what a good job she is doing and also a note to her. If you will bear with me, this is her response. A delight.

 

 Dear Richard, Dear Patricia,  

I have to say that I was far from suspecting that I would hear so fast from you… my director even less … For my part I waited on this Sunday to take time to give you my answer. I had up to here no minute to me …  

 In which part of Europe are you now? It is raining in Dijon, and the week looks so mat…

Now it is my turn to thank you for these few words which affected me a lot. You do not know the impact a testimony can have on a "career" I shall eternally be grateful to you for it. It is the first time since the beginning of my job as receptionist that I stay in touch with my own "customers"! But you were not simple guests; you tried to discover through the hostess the person who I am really. I have to say that I appreciated our conversations a lot which allowed me to travel in a certain way and to widen my so predictable universe …
And I take advantage of it at the same time to thank you also in the name of my team which welcomed your appreciation very positively. It is important to have the felt of our customers to be able to position and drive things forward …

It is a great honor to receive your invitation to Hobart that maybe will be useful one day. I am still young and we do not know about what the future will be made. Be sure that I shall think of you if the opportunity arises. You are also welcome if you wish just in case to return to our beautiful Dijon city.

And I end this e-mail to say to you that I am lucky to have crossed your road.  I wish you to spend a very nice journey filled with beautiful images and unforgettable souvenirs to be told to your children.

Take care of you.

Sweet kisses of Dijon,

Your sincere and devoted desk clerk,
Emilie

Ps: I discover Prague thanks to you! Don’t hesitate to send me other pictures   ;-)





 So now on to some photos

The multicolour glazed tile roofs are exquisite

As is

I bought the 'Vin Blanc' one and I don't think it is going to last us until we get to Paris!

DM was having a restorative stop at a cafe and there were two couples nearby. One of the wives is an artist and she sketched this without him knowing.

Have at Google at Dijon if you have not been there. It played a very significant role in the history of France. I will go back sometime and really get to know it

For Eric

More Semur-en-Auxios especially for Eric Victor-Perdraut, as it was near his old stomping ground. I have to say that there's not much to dislike about it either so it deserves an encore.  A lovely tranquil day

What is the French word for 'allotments'?

A long term reno. here

Not much sun this side

Pyrostegia venusta - winter food for the birds; and lots of it