Gruyères

French garden in the Chateau Gruyères
Katherine coined it "the shape garden"

We set off Wednesday morning with the intent of visiting Gruyères and the Cailler Chocolate Factory. The latter did not happen (see earlier post), but we will hopefully make it there a different day.

A lot of people have commented to me that they are amazed I have been going all these places alone with the girls, gear and a stroller. Well, the nice people in Switzerland make it all possible. I would say that 75% of the time, someone helps me get my stroller on and off the train. A couple of times that person has actually asked where I was headed, then walked with me to the next platform. I was lucky enough to have this happen several times on this adventure.

Once we got to the Gare de Gruyère, we waited for the bus to take us up the steep hill to the town of Gruyere. We still had to trek uphill on the bumpy cobblestone (poor Ellie got a rough ride in the stroller) to get to the Chateau Gruyères.

Eglise St-Theodule

The castle was pretty, but small. Nothing very interested to say, but here are some pictures. (Sorry about the poor photos, I should have changed the camera setting - but I can only think of so many things when I'm alone with two crazy girls!)

Katherine going up the spiral staircase

Nearly every room had these small nooks with little windows

Music Room

Running down the sentry walk

Town of Gruyères

Unfortunately we missed the bus by a couple minutes, and had to wait an hour. We were freezing cold, so we browsed in a few of the little shops. I would love to buy a cuckoo clock, but I don't think I can justify spending the money. Maybe if we were living in Switzerland longer term I would feel more inclined to make the purchase. I did however buy a Toblerone bar to tie us over until lunch at the cheese factory.

We finally made it to La Maison du Gruyère. I have been waiting patiently, or not so patiently, for some yummy Swiss fondue. Well, my friend Jen Riday should open a fondue restaurant, because I'm afraid her scrumptious fondues have ruined me for life. The restaurant fondue was not very good. I literally had to choke it down, especially because I was trying to talk Katherine and Ellie into eating it. It was one expensive awful meal. On top of that, the girls kept running out of the restaurant to play by a big painted cow. Actually, it reminded me of the painted cows back in Madison. I couldn't exactly run out of the restaurant, and I didn't have my bill yet. I stood up to try and get the waitress's attention. Finally the girls came back, and I payed for the food we didn't eat.

The museum at the factory was tiny - I guess the point is to get a little background of cheese making, then watch the process. While we were there, the milk was getting mixed in the big vat.

K listening to the audio guide (in front of the viewing windows)

Gruyères was very overrated. I want to buy a fondue pot, but I was so frustrated that I didn't want to give them my business. I'm going to buy one elsewhere. Why is it that my favorite cheese for homemade mac and cheese is Gruyère cheese? I hope my experience doesn't forever ruin my relationship with the cheese, because it is really good. Mike makes one mean Mac and Cheese, if may say so myself. Yes, his dish deserves capitalization.