The scene spread out before them was breathtakingly tranquil and serene. The blue of the lake was gently misted from a scattering of fleecy clouds hovering above, while a lone island in the lake with a single tree growing on it, was thought to be famous. Mountains surrounding the lake were shrouded in a hazy blue-grey, rising high in the distance skirting the vastness of the lake on each side.
As they sat sipping their coffee, Harry gazed into the distance, squinting slightly as he slowly spotted the castle jutting out on a rocky outcrop, bringing it to the attention of his friend with a delighted-looking smile.
'I think that's where we are headed.' He motioned with his head, nodding towards the castle. Tony looked in the direction Harry was indicating. 'Yes indeed, I think you are right. It looks inviting. Wonder how far away it is?'
Harry considered this for a moment before answering. 'Oh, perhaps a mile or less. Feel up to walking? That is, assuming there's a path around the lake.'
'I wouldn't mind at all,' replied Tony. 'Let's give it a try,' he added hopefully. Then his gazed wandered to another area of the lake not far away. 'That island over there,' he said pointing towards it, then drinking the last of his coffee, it's quite small and has only one tree on it. It looks odd to me, sort of lonesome.'
His friend followed his vision to where he was looking. 'Ah!' he said, 'apparently as modern legend would have it, the island and tree were given to Queen Elizabeth II as a gift, but she returned it when the city of Montreux sent her a bill for the taxes.'
'Good lord!' laughed Tony. 'I'm not sure how on earth you know that, but think I would have done exactly the same. What a cheek!' He chuckled at the notion his friend presented. 'There's not much of it either.'
They left the restaurant and began the trek to the castle alongside the lake, the weather remaining pleasantly mild with barely a ripple on the surface of the lake. To their right the main road wound high around the hills, built out from the cliffs like an aqueduct. Alongside the path, several flowers and shrubs grew, as birds chirped and flitted in and out of trees. The men were enjoying the walk, taking in their surroundings as they grew closer to Chillon castle, jutting out into the lake not far away. From where they were it didn't look massive, but was impressive, as three semi-circular towers were becoming more obvious.
'This looks very promising,' remarked Harry enthusiastically, puffing slightly. His breath was becoming more rapid as he slowed his pace, before coming to a complete standstill.
'Are you alright old chum? You look a bit peaky.' Tony stopped beside him, frowning with worry.
'Yes, I think so. Just a little out of breath, that's all. Not used to all this walking. Pity I'm not fitter. I might sit down for a minute,' he said, eyeing a seat overlooking the water.
'Of course! I'll join you. There's no hurry. We can continue when you feel up to it.' Tony was concerned for his friend, judging by the rapidity of his breathing. Harry's face had lost its colour, even though they had been walking at a reasonable pace.
Tony sat beside Harry looking over towards the castle and back to his friend. 'Would you prefer me to go and drive the car back? There's sure to be some parking further on.' He looked again at Harry and could see small beads of sweat on his brow. 'I'm worried about you. It's not worth walking on if you feel unwell.'
'Give me a few moments longer and I'll be fine. I'm enjoying the walk beside the lake. Much better than going by car.'
Tony wasn't so sure, but accepted what Harry told him. 'Well, if you're sure...' But he wasn't in agreement, as his friend still looked pale. Besides, it was necessary to return the same way.
They continued on after a while and came to the castle, walking onto the island over what they soon learned was an 18th century bridge crossing a natural moat, entering through gates into a courtyard. It was an impressive site. They also learned that the origins of the House of Savoy went back as far as 1032, at the time already holding lands spread through the Valais. Through marriage agreements they created a real state in the heart of Europe, exchanges of territories, purchases of lands, thus being able to conquer the different Alpine passes and main travelling routes. The Counts of Savoy founded many towns on these travelling routes during the 13th and 14th centuries when the Pays de Vaud was gradually occupied.
The castle although compact, spread out into different sections the two men explored eventually. The oldest written mention of the castle dated from 1150, establishing that the Savoy family already controlled the fortress and hence the path along the lake shore. They particularly liked the Gothic vaults in the cellar, that looked as though it was gouged out of the very rock upon which the castle was built. It probably dated back to the 11th century and used as a storeroom and for wine. A considerable time was spent in what was a Constable's dining room, with windows overlooking the lake, stretching as far as the mountains.
'Just look at these columns Tony!' Harry noticed the thick oak carvings as he ran his hand over them towards the top of the huge columns, from which timber arches reached to the ceiling. The columns were 13th century, but the interior walls were decorated by painting with a medieval look using copies of medieval tapestries. The room was a curious mixture of different centuries, but nevertheless it had obviously been used for cooking and dining, judging by the many utensils hanging in the large fireplace set into one of the walls.
Tony peered through one of the windows out over the lake, which looked peaceful apart from a single boat moving across its stillness.
They moved on to different areas, including the latrines. 'Hmm...' thought Tony, as he looked down at two low wooden holes cut out of a long slab of timber side by side, raised about two feet off the floor along an outer stone wall. He peered down one of the holes frowning, as it reached a long way down. This construction also dated back to the 13th century and as he read from a brochure later, was used for more than a single purpose. 'Perhaps I am glad we have modern bathrooms and fittings these days,' he thought to himself. Then chuckled. 'I really wouldn't want to live in a draughty old castle for anything. No thanks!'
Harry had wandered into other rooms dating back to the 13th century finding them fascinating. One of the bedrooms accommodated guests in the Savoy period, where significant remains of designs painted in then could be clearly seen. Soon Tony caught him up. 'How are you feeling now? I was rather worried earlier. You looked pale.'
Harry cocked his head to one side for a moment, his mouth tightening. 'I'm fine now. It's nice of you to be worried about me.'
'Of course I'd be worried, you silly old thing. But I'm going to drive the car back and you can wait here, if that's alright. It's just as well we got it insured for me to drive too. Then we'll continue on to Grandson for some lunch if you like.'
Harry winced slightly at the thought of Tony driving, then shrugged. 'That's another place which might be interesting. I believe it's also medieval and overlooks Lake Neuchatel. Evidently Otto I of Grandson rebuilt the old castle and enlarged it in...let me see...1277-1281 I think.'
Harry smiled. 'How do you know that, eh? Didn't think you were that interested in all this medieval history.'
'I have to start somewhere, don't I?' grinned Tony. 'Ah! I've been doing a little reading too, you see. From this here smart phone. He rummaged briefly in a trouser pocket. When you get free wifi in the hotels, it's possible to find almost anything on them.'
'Well I'll be darned!' laughed Harry. 'You'll be an expert in no time!'
'Don't know about being an expert, but I'm fast becoming interested in more history,' retorted Tony, 'and what comes with it too! Architecture for example, then there's geography, weaponry, heraldry, not to mention...'
Harry couldn't help smiling. 'Alright, I get the message. But I'm fine to walk back with you, honest.'
'If you're sure.'
'Yes I'm sure, but thanks for your concern.' He smiled at the thought and was genuinely touched with Tony's consideration.
They strolled back along the lake at a pace Tony thought wouldn't tire Harry too much.
They drove further on and it didn't take long before arriving at the town of Grandson. The castle was an imposing sight and they had lunch in the small restaurant before entering the castle through an archway.
'Right then!' announced Tony a good hour later. 'Think that might be enough castles for one day. What do you say to moving on to Lausanne? We still need to find the hotel this afternoon, and a decent park. It can be such a bother in these larger towns or cities.'
Harry didn't need to think. He was in total agreement. 'Good idea. Miss Madam should be up to it, don't you think?'
'Hmm...' answered Tony. 'That remains to be seen.'
His friend grinned, giving a brief answer in return. 'Huh!' was all he said - with a slightly sarcastic tone.
After they had travelled some distance, Miss Madam gave her usual instructions. 'At the next intersection, turn right at the second exit.' Then repeated it. 'Take the second exit at the next intersection.'
'Looks as though we are entering Lausanne,' Harry remarked. 'Better keep my wits about me and hope she knows what she's doing.'
Tony gave a snigger of a laugh. 'We'll soon find out, won't we?'
Then came the next sharp order. 'Turn right now!'
'Alright, alright, I heard you.' Harry swung the car around the corner while studying the road signs carefully, but was immediately faced with several lanes to choose from. 'Which one, which one do I take?'
Tony scowled. 'She is supposed to be helping,' he offered hopefully, checking the sat/nav for any guidance.
'Bear right after 100 yards.'
'Not much of a warning, is it?' Harry was becoming a little flustered, as his friend was holding onto the door handle again.
'Crumbs! There are several choices. Which one does she mean exactly? Let's just hope she knows where we are going. Look Harry- over there I think!' He pointed to a sign for the hotel.
'Oh good! Now all I have to do is drive there, and cross two lanes of traffic. Ahh!'
'Take your time. Just signal and hope they will let you in,' Tony offered hopefully. 'Perhaps if someone notices your English plates, they'll take pity on you.' But all Harry did was scoff at the suggestion.
Miss Madam further announced - 'Proceed for 50 yards and bear right.'
'Are we going round in circles again? Sounds like it,' Harry wondered.
'Better do what she says for now and keep your fingers crossed,' replied Tony.
'I'm driving - you do it!'
Then Miss Madam finally said - 'you have reached your destination!'
'Where is the hotel then, eh?'
Harry frowned and breathed out noisily. 'Perhaps if we can park the car, we could walk around until we find the hotel. Must be close by, surely.'
Suddenly a park became available on the left side of a narrow street. It looked difficult as there was a car behind and a tree in front with bricks surrounding it. 'This will have to do,' he sighed. 'If you hop out Tony, then you can guide me in. It won't be easy.'
His friend was only too happy to help. With hand signals widening and narrowing, Harry manoeuvred the black Mercedes a good way into the small available area. Tony shook his head. 'Sticking out too much and people can't pass.' So Harry suddenly jerked forward a little too much and ran over the bricks in front, almost hitting the tree, cursing.
'This will just have to do. We won't be long and to hell with it.' He wasn't in the best of moods, but joined Tony and together they walked off to find their hotel.
They soon found it not far from where they'd parked the car and felt relieved there was an underground car park next door. All they needed to do was turn right out of the narrow street and drive down to the garage on the left.
'Easy when you know how,' sneered Tony. 'So much for the directions of Miss Madam!'
Harry was still feeling a little jaded. 'I'm going to freshen up soon, then go for a walk around town for a while. Would you like to accompany me?'
Tony joined him later where they strolled up and down a few streets looking at various goods on sale, not far from the hotel, before they split up while Harry did some shopping on his own. 'See you at the hotel in an hour Tony,' was all he said before disappearing into another shop.'
An hour had passed, then two hours. Tony was beginning to feel anxious. His heart was pounding in his chest, as he wondered how much longer he should wait before something was done. Perhaps Harry was lost and would join him any moment. He paced up and down his room, constantly looking at his watch, hoping to hear a tap on his hotel door any moment. After another half an hour passed before the phone rang. He snatched up the receiver in his haste of hearing any news. The voice from reception knew he and Harry had checked in together and said they had received a phone call from the hospital to say Mr Rainsworth had been taken ill and suffered a heart attack. He was being looked after in intensive care.
'Oh no!' Tony felt immediate fear, his insides churning, panic-stricken at first before he could even reply. He needed to think clearly and quickly, act according to any premonitions. 'I'll be right down,' he answered.
Saturday 24 January 2015
Tuesday 20 January 2015
An exhibition and a murderer exposed - Chapter nine
The night before had been memorable, but one schnapps too many was causing certain after affects neither hoped to repeat. Thoughts of breakfast were mulled over momentarily, but a mutual agreement was made to try and ignore any seediness and indulge in breakfast anyway. Freshly squeezed juice helped clear the fuzziness, so they tried a delightfully crunchy Swiss muesli, topped with locally picked raspberries sprinkled into a raspberry coulis, topped with a large homemade dollop of vanilla yoghurt to finish - a popular specialty of the hotel restaurant.
During breakfast, it was decided to walk the distance along the main road of the town of Martigny to a local gallery museum. A unique exhibition of paintings by the French impressionist artist, Pierre-Auguste Renoir would be displayed for several more days.
'Do you know much about him Harry?' Tony asked, finishing the last mouthful of muesli and reaching for his coffee.
'No, not a lot,' sniffed Harry. His friend was far more interested in the arts than he was. Soon he hoped to complete the next chapter of his book about Richard III, feeling satisfied words were at last appearing on paper. His progress so far, was that things were falling into place, the sequence of important events being accurate, as far as could be expected from the enormous amount of research he'd done. Various royals were often married into chosen families of importance in order to gain land, power and prestige. What he loved most of all was learning about British and European history, dating back to pre Norman. The medieval period was of particular interest, containing an endless amount of tantalizing events, people and countries; including various castles, battle sites and intermarrying royals. He was determined to press on and continue as and when the opportunities presented themselves. Harry felt almost lured into writing the book, temptation overwhelming and he hoped it wasn't into a false sense of security. Richard III of England was an intriguing person to write about, although many books about his life and times were already published. But he needed to stamp his own interpretation - it stimulated his writing ability, as Richard left unsolved mysteries in his wake after the battle of Bosworth ended. He'd been a controversial king, coming to a gruesome end and as Harry considered the reasons, it could be considered because of Lord Thomas Stanley and his brother William. They were a treacherous lot and liable to support the winning side of a battle, betraying Richard in the end, at Bosworth.
His attention was brought back to the present time when Tony asked him another question.
'You appear to be far away somewhere. I can tell by the look in your eyes. Would you care to see the exhibition?'
'What exhibition?'
Tony grimaced. 'The special Renoir exhibition that's on here in Martigny for another few days. A marvelous opportunity to view some of his work, don't you think?'
Harry finished the last of his strong black coffee. 'Of course. I was in another century for a moment - the fifteenth to be precise. Yes...yes I'm happy to accompany you. Not too familiar with the impressionist artists, but there's one way to find out I guess.'
Tony suddenly felt enthusiastic. 'Of course it is, but you could do your own thing if you prefer. I could toddle off there by myself - I wouldn't mind.'
'No, I'd like to go. It would definitely be worth seeing,' Harry replied, getting up from the breakfast table after dabbing his mouth on a serviette. 'How about we leave in an hour?'
'Right then, see you in the foyer,' replied Tony, thinking he needed more coffee beforehand.
Later that morning they entered the large gallery rooms of the museum and both men strolled at their own leisure, gazing at the art on display. Tony was particularly intrigued with one of the smaller paintings and couldn't help returning to view it a second time, where a strict looking attendant appeared to guard it. He wouldn't have minded taking a photo with his smart phone in order to remember it, but one look at the guard and he thought better of it. It was of a lady strolling through a field of flowers, a white umbrella charmingly held over her right shoulder, perhaps to keep the sun from her soft pale pink complexion. He noticed a child at her side as if tempted to pick some of the flowers growing high, scattered before them. Tony was engrossed with the simple paint daubs and smears that made up the enchanting scene capturing his full attention. 'How could an artist evoke such an atmospheric scene with what at first looks like simple splotches of coloured paint? It was astonishing.' Several more beautifully framed paintings equally held his complete attention until he met up with Harry, who also appeared to be enjoying himself.
'What ho Harry!' he chuckled. 'See anything you like?'
'Plenty! This man was a genius,' he beamed enthusiastically. 'I've quickly become a fan and to some of the other artist's works displayed here also. Love those of Monet.'
Tony was delighted with his friend's perhaps first proper initiation into the world of impressionist art. Apart from Renoir, Claude Monet was another prolific painter, with some of his paintings on exhibition here as well.
'Pleased you came by the sound of it. Me too for that matter. What an opportunity this was! In the right place at the right time, eh?'
Harry didn't need to think for very long. 'Yes, we certainly were. Have you seen the painting of those two young children, legs outstretched while they read a book? It's delightful. How does an artist depict such young, fresh innocence in children - there faces as cherubs?'
'I agree. It's a born talent I think Harry. There is a similar painting of two older girls playing a piano. An elegance of the era.' Tony was in his element and continued. 'I think Renoir must have spent much time in Paris, apart from elsewhere. He was excellent at capturing groups of people sitting at a table, their live-style on display as they discuss the topics of the period. He was an expert with nudes too I think. The ladies he painted were... shall we say...somewhat voluptuous.' His face contorted in a sort of grin as he cocked his head to one side. 'The skin tones are like peaches and cream - pale pink, feminine and natural-looking. All done with paint. Magical!'
'Hmm...yes, I noticed,' Harry replied. 'Very pretty. The skin tones blending to perfection. Most women in those days wouldn't have roasted their skin like the young girls do today, stretched out on beaches, scantily clad.' He groaned slightly, shaking his head, then brightened up enthusiastically. 'A wonderful talent indeed, to be able to depict that sort of thing with just daubs and brush strokes. Stunning! I enjoyed all that,' he said cheerfully, 'glad we made the effort.'
After concentrating on the art, both friends wandered to another main section of the museum - amazed and engrossed with all the items on display - stretching at least as far back as Roman times.
Harry was studying some weapons. 'Hey Tony, come and look at these! Would you believe they had the designs, know-how, and materials at hand to create these that long ago?'
His friend came to stand at his side, as they both bent down to absorb the refined details. 'Those Romans sure knew a thing or two, didn't they? And responsible for inventing many things that long ago.'
Harry mused over this briefly. 'Under floor heating I think. Wonder why it took so long for it to evolve in England? I believe Cistercian monks in thirteenth century Europe revived this idea.'
'How do you know that?' Tony asked, almost indignant, but pleased his friend knew something about it.
Harry wasn't daunted in the slightest. 'Oh, I read about it ages ago. Very clever the Romans and the idea was later employed or changed to suit certain conditions, but then forgotten about for a very long time.
'Pity it wasn't acted upon in England centuries ago,' retorted Tony, his face clouding with the memories of his childhood. 'There were many people who constantly suffered terribly with the cold each winter.'
'How right you are. We never even had a proper bathroom like they do now, with all those fancy taps and fittings. None of it. It seems astonishing central heating wasn't adapted years ago, but, c'est la vie! Would have made a lot of difference in those bitter icy winters.'
After further discussion, the morning had advanced and a nice lunch became uppermost in Tony's thoughts.
'Don't know about you Harry, but I fancy finding a decent little restaurant where we can sit and watch the world go by.' Harry was in agreement and they strolled back towards the hotel, finding a suitable place to sit in the warm sunshine. The weather although changeable, remained warm in sheltered areas as the main street stretched long and wide, the city surrounded by rising vine-covered hills, farms and grazing, reaching higher to the foothills of the mountains.
As they settled at a table, Harry had been thinking about the city of Martigny and how it was linked with Italy via the St Bernard Pass - one of the main routes across the Alps, once used by Caesar, Charlemagne, Hannibal and more recently by Napoleon. His thoughts were interrupted momentarily by Tony on an entirely unrelated subject.
'Did you know this city is well known for a pear brandy produced here?'
'No... err...what was that you said?'
'Weren't you listing just now? I asked if...'
'Yes, yes...I was actually. Just elsewhere with my thoughts, that's all.'
Tony remained patient. 'Where exactly?'
'I was thinking about the St Bernard Pass,' replied Harry.
'What on earth for, may I ask?'
Harry remained in a state of momentary confusion - his thoughts amounting to many questions in his fuddled mind. He rubbed his temples with his fingers. 'Oh, I started wondering about something...'
Tony frowned. 'Now what? By the way, do you want something to eat? We'd better order soon. I'm even more hungry now. Museums make me hungry, or perhaps it's the alpine air.' His gaze wandered to the mountains in the distance.
'You're always hungry. I'll have what you're having,' Harry answered, still pondering with different ideas flooding through his mind. 'A beer too would do nicely - thanks. It will help me to think,' he mumbled.
'About what?' Tony's eyes narrowed, beginning to wonder what was going through his friend 's mind in particular.
'Do you see that newspaper over there?' Harry nodded in the direction where it was displayed for all to see - a short distance away from their table. 'Can you read what it says from here?' he asked, knowing Tony's eyes weren't as sharp as they used to be?'
Tony peered over at the news stand, where the headlines were clear and concise. His eyes widened, eyebrows shooting up. He became quite animated. 'Hey Harry, that looks interesting! Well I never. Could it be the same murder we almost discovered in Nice?'
'I think it could be. Not a lot of murders would occur there, surely?'
It set Tony's mind racing immediately.
They ordered lunch from a young male waiter, who was eager to write it down, as the seats were filling up quickly. He smiled briefly, before scurrying back to the kitchen.
Harry continued with his thoughts. 'That's what I've been wondering about soon after we settled here.'
'What exactly?' Tony was becoming caught up in Harry's intrigue, thinking along the same lines as his friend. 'You don't think...'
'I do and I have been - yes. I've hardly stopped thinking about that murder since we left Nice. What I saw has bothered me for a long time. The man's face fitted someone we both met and with whom we spent quite a while - a meal even!'
Tony was now fully alert and drew his chair in closer to face his friend who was frowning, looking somewhat grim. 'Who for goodness sake?'
Harry took a long slow breath before answering. 'Well...when we stayed at the house in Port Grimaud briefly...' He paused for several moments.
'Go on, don't stop now!' Tony was anxious to hear what was coming next, sharpening his gaze, fixing it on the person sitting opposite on the other side of the table.
'Well...do you remember Vanessa's father, Luca?' he asked.
'No! You don't mean him, surely?' Tony's eyes grew larger. 'I can hardly believe...'
Harry wasn't daunted by his own accusation. 'Yes, I do and when I saw that man's face briefly from the car as he turned before disappearing up a laneway that day, I've been troubled ever since. I wasn't sure it was him at the time - couldn't quite remember where I'd seen that face. But now... see? There's a photo of him on the front page. Looks as though they have apprehended him and he's been charged with murder.'
Tony was astonished. At first words escaped him, but then after considering the situation said, 'Murder! Good lord! But what do you think his motive would have been?'
Harry rose then and wandered over to the news stand. He returned slowly, engrossed with what was written on the front page. 'It appears the motive was jealousy, at least I think so.' He read on.
'Jealousy? That makes no sense. Anything else?' Tony looked puzzled. The waiter chose that moment to deliver their meal. 'Merci,' Tony said, as the young man put the beers to one side. 'What else does it say Harry?'
Harry read further down the front page, muttering. "l'homme a ete pris pour...'
'Taken to where?' Tony was impatient to hear more. 'Where have they taken him?'
'Good grief! You'll never guess?' Harry looked up from the newspaper.
His friend was fit to burst with curiosity. He couldn't wait a moment longer and almost snatched the newspaper from Harry's hands. He read the French, skipping over a few words he wasn't sure about, but he certainly got the gist of the article, then announced looking up at Harry. 'Luca was brought here, to Martigny! Can you imagine that? It says he was found soon after crossing the St.Bernard Pass from Italy. He must have almost taken the same route as us. The police from several countries have been looking for him. Evidently he committed a minor offense years ago, it says, and they found finger prints at the scene in Nice and were a perfect match. Well well!'
His chum reflected for a moment, eyebrows knitting together as he thought. 'But why was the motive jealousy I wonder?' Harry remained a little puzzled.
Tony read on further. 'It appears after being questioned for two hours, Luca eventually told the police everything, that his daughter Vanessa had been having an affair and disloyal to her husband George. So he killed her lover. I'd have been tempted to...'
Harry stopped him in time. 'Don't say it. You wouldn't have been tempted and you know it. You couldn't even squash a fly, let alone...'
Tony ploughed on. 'He did it to try and save their marriage it says here. That's a thin excuse, I must say. The Swiss police noticed his car he was still driving - parked near the same café we called at, not long after the tunnel from Italy. You know, the one where the lady...'
'Yes, I remember the one. We enjoyed a pleasant lunch by a large waterfall some time later after sampling some delicious cheese, What else does it say?'
'Hmmm...sa fille...bla bla bla...'
'What about his daughter?' Harry took a long draught of his cold beer and sat back to ponder what had come to light at last.
'It doesn't say a lot more. It just mentions that his daughter won't be charged as an accessory to the murder,' Tony replied, still reading over the front page of the newspaper. He looked up suddenly. 'Do you realize Christine, who we shared the house with briefly and with whom we went to Monroe's pub, is the ex wife of another good friend of mine?' Tony continued, looking grim. 'Well Vanessa was her step daughter if you remember, and George her husband. Luca was Vanessa's father.'
Harry grimaced for several moments, not sure what to say next, then added, 'Yes, I remember all of them. Luca was at the pub too when we had those pizzas. That's why Luca's face drifted in and out of my mind after we left Nice. I only caught a brief glimpse of him at the time, and why it has taken so long for it to register. Probably just as well, because we could have been detained there a lot longer by the police.'
'But what a dreadful thing to do under the circumstances. He must have had a few other problems up above.' Tony pointed briefly to his head, his expression taught.
'Perhaps you're right. Sounds as thought he might have been...' Harry cleared his throat, 'you know, a little touched up there. I wonder what Vanessa is thinking now, she being the cause of it? But you don't go around murdering people because of an affair! I wonder if Luca had been planning this at the time we were eating at Monroe's pub?'
'Who knows. It's over now and thank goodness it is. If you had remembered him at the time when you saw Luca for that brief moment in Nice, you might have had to go to court when his case came up.'
Harry smiled grimly and pulled one of his faces. 'A lucky escape I guess.' He gave a large sigh of relief. 'Fancy another beer Tony?'
'Yeah, why not! A small celebration, huh?' He was also hoping they could put this business well and truly behind them. They still had a long journey ahead of them.
The sun's rays drifted across the table and through the restaurant, as shadows were creeping stealthily over the hills and valleys nearby, nestling into sloping shingled rooftops and large leafy trees lining the roadside, their foliage remained vivid green mainly, with only a hint of changing seasons. Autumn hadn't arrived as yet.
The next morning they had arisen feeling refreshed, wanting to be on the road immediately after breakfast - looking forward to seeing more of Switzerland. Their next planned stay, being Lausanne, today's drive would be relatively straight forward for Harry.
They cheerfully packed the car again, setting off in a northerly direction, soon to skirt Lake Leman, or as some called it, Lake Geneva.
Several clouds speckled the sky as mists were burning off the valleys, swirling ghost-like in early autumn light. Beside the road, moisture threaded its way through the undergrowth and tall grass, where it rose in soft wisps drifting low over streams and meadows. A few trees moved silently in a gentle breeze as they stood like sentinels dotted over hills and around farms. The houses were typically Swiss and in a few of the fields they passed, herds of cows were peacefully grazing, bells tied around their necks on strong leather straps, clanging as they strolled looking for the sweetest grass to eat. Most of the best grazing was already eaten, as autumn was not far off. They would be brought in to winter over in sheds until the following spring.
'You're quiet this morning my friend.' Tony noticed Harry looking pensive and tried to cheer him up. 'Just think of what we might find today, eh?'
'Like what may I ask?' He sounded almost gloomy.
'Oh! a castle or two. We could explore that one at Chillon. It's right on the lake. I thought you'd like that. What do you say?'
'That sounds nice,' replied Harry, with a smile. 'I was just wondering if I should programme Miss Madam for today, that's all. We need to find that hotel you mentioned and we don't have a map of Lausanne.'
'Apart from the fact she's been difficult at times, it wouldn't be a bad idea,' Tony agreed. 'We don't want to go round in circles again, like we did in Avignon. What a fiasco that was!'
Harry soon found a place to pull over where he used the same process as before to enter the hotel name and address.
'There - done!', he announced, looking pleased with himself. 'Let's hope no mess ups today. It should be a simple matter of driving anti-clockwise around the lake to find Lausanne. But first, Chillon castle.'
'Why there in particular?' enquired Tony.
'Because it goes back a long time in history, being the 12th century when it was in the Savoy era. The castle is a listed medieval building hundreds of years old. In it's lifetime over many centuries it has seen different construction and alterations. It was built on a small rocky island jutting out into the lake, attached to the mainland by a man-made bridge, acting both as natural protection and a strategic location to control movement between both the north and south of Europe and trade passing through the Alps. Then came the Bernese era from 1536, followed by the Vaudois era from 1798 until today.'
Tony was more than a little impressed with what Harry had just related. 'Good lord! You do appear to know an awful lot about that place, don't you old friend?'
Harry grinned. 'Oh, a little I guess. Another medieval place I've come across while reading,' he said, driving on a pleasant stretch of road. 'These places and the people who lived there can be fascinating. They travelled an awful lot too - all on horseback. Imagine that! Think of how many miles we cover in a day in the car and all they had were horses. They managed to venture out a lot too, often covering many miles in a year.'
'The winter would have put a halt on things,' Tony considered. 'Specially in these mountainous areas,' he added, gazing into the distance.
'It prevented battles too. No one in their right mind could conduct a battle in freezing, icy conditions. They needed to wait until spring or at least better weather.'
Miss Madam, their sat/nav guided them towards the start of Lake Leman and soon they were thinking of stopping for a coffee. Harry spotted a car park across the road from a restaurant built out over the lake. 'This looks hopeful,' he said, bringing the black Mercedes to a halt.
'
During breakfast, it was decided to walk the distance along the main road of the town of Martigny to a local gallery museum. A unique exhibition of paintings by the French impressionist artist, Pierre-Auguste Renoir would be displayed for several more days.
'Do you know much about him Harry?' Tony asked, finishing the last mouthful of muesli and reaching for his coffee.
'No, not a lot,' sniffed Harry. His friend was far more interested in the arts than he was. Soon he hoped to complete the next chapter of his book about Richard III, feeling satisfied words were at last appearing on paper. His progress so far, was that things were falling into place, the sequence of important events being accurate, as far as could be expected from the enormous amount of research he'd done. Various royals were often married into chosen families of importance in order to gain land, power and prestige. What he loved most of all was learning about British and European history, dating back to pre Norman. The medieval period was of particular interest, containing an endless amount of tantalizing events, people and countries; including various castles, battle sites and intermarrying royals. He was determined to press on and continue as and when the opportunities presented themselves. Harry felt almost lured into writing the book, temptation overwhelming and he hoped it wasn't into a false sense of security. Richard III of England was an intriguing person to write about, although many books about his life and times were already published. But he needed to stamp his own interpretation - it stimulated his writing ability, as Richard left unsolved mysteries in his wake after the battle of Bosworth ended. He'd been a controversial king, coming to a gruesome end and as Harry considered the reasons, it could be considered because of Lord Thomas Stanley and his brother William. They were a treacherous lot and liable to support the winning side of a battle, betraying Richard in the end, at Bosworth.
His attention was brought back to the present time when Tony asked him another question.
'You appear to be far away somewhere. I can tell by the look in your eyes. Would you care to see the exhibition?'
'What exhibition?'
Tony grimaced. 'The special Renoir exhibition that's on here in Martigny for another few days. A marvelous opportunity to view some of his work, don't you think?'
Harry finished the last of his strong black coffee. 'Of course. I was in another century for a moment - the fifteenth to be precise. Yes...yes I'm happy to accompany you. Not too familiar with the impressionist artists, but there's one way to find out I guess.'
Tony suddenly felt enthusiastic. 'Of course it is, but you could do your own thing if you prefer. I could toddle off there by myself - I wouldn't mind.'
'No, I'd like to go. It would definitely be worth seeing,' Harry replied, getting up from the breakfast table after dabbing his mouth on a serviette. 'How about we leave in an hour?'
'Right then, see you in the foyer,' replied Tony, thinking he needed more coffee beforehand.
Later that morning they entered the large gallery rooms of the museum and both men strolled at their own leisure, gazing at the art on display. Tony was particularly intrigued with one of the smaller paintings and couldn't help returning to view it a second time, where a strict looking attendant appeared to guard it. He wouldn't have minded taking a photo with his smart phone in order to remember it, but one look at the guard and he thought better of it. It was of a lady strolling through a field of flowers, a white umbrella charmingly held over her right shoulder, perhaps to keep the sun from her soft pale pink complexion. He noticed a child at her side as if tempted to pick some of the flowers growing high, scattered before them. Tony was engrossed with the simple paint daubs and smears that made up the enchanting scene capturing his full attention. 'How could an artist evoke such an atmospheric scene with what at first looks like simple splotches of coloured paint? It was astonishing.' Several more beautifully framed paintings equally held his complete attention until he met up with Harry, who also appeared to be enjoying himself.
'What ho Harry!' he chuckled. 'See anything you like?'
'Plenty! This man was a genius,' he beamed enthusiastically. 'I've quickly become a fan and to some of the other artist's works displayed here also. Love those of Monet.'
Tony was delighted with his friend's perhaps first proper initiation into the world of impressionist art. Apart from Renoir, Claude Monet was another prolific painter, with some of his paintings on exhibition here as well.
'Pleased you came by the sound of it. Me too for that matter. What an opportunity this was! In the right place at the right time, eh?'
Harry didn't need to think for very long. 'Yes, we certainly were. Have you seen the painting of those two young children, legs outstretched while they read a book? It's delightful. How does an artist depict such young, fresh innocence in children - there faces as cherubs?'
'I agree. It's a born talent I think Harry. There is a similar painting of two older girls playing a piano. An elegance of the era.' Tony was in his element and continued. 'I think Renoir must have spent much time in Paris, apart from elsewhere. He was excellent at capturing groups of people sitting at a table, their live-style on display as they discuss the topics of the period. He was an expert with nudes too I think. The ladies he painted were... shall we say...somewhat voluptuous.' His face contorted in a sort of grin as he cocked his head to one side. 'The skin tones are like peaches and cream - pale pink, feminine and natural-looking. All done with paint. Magical!'
'Hmm...yes, I noticed,' Harry replied. 'Very pretty. The skin tones blending to perfection. Most women in those days wouldn't have roasted their skin like the young girls do today, stretched out on beaches, scantily clad.' He groaned slightly, shaking his head, then brightened up enthusiastically. 'A wonderful talent indeed, to be able to depict that sort of thing with just daubs and brush strokes. Stunning! I enjoyed all that,' he said cheerfully, 'glad we made the effort.'
After concentrating on the art, both friends wandered to another main section of the museum - amazed and engrossed with all the items on display - stretching at least as far back as Roman times.
Harry was studying some weapons. 'Hey Tony, come and look at these! Would you believe they had the designs, know-how, and materials at hand to create these that long ago?'
His friend came to stand at his side, as they both bent down to absorb the refined details. 'Those Romans sure knew a thing or two, didn't they? And responsible for inventing many things that long ago.'
Harry mused over this briefly. 'Under floor heating I think. Wonder why it took so long for it to evolve in England? I believe Cistercian monks in thirteenth century Europe revived this idea.'
'How do you know that?' Tony asked, almost indignant, but pleased his friend knew something about it.
Harry wasn't daunted in the slightest. 'Oh, I read about it ages ago. Very clever the Romans and the idea was later employed or changed to suit certain conditions, but then forgotten about for a very long time.
'Pity it wasn't acted upon in England centuries ago,' retorted Tony, his face clouding with the memories of his childhood. 'There were many people who constantly suffered terribly with the cold each winter.'
'How right you are. We never even had a proper bathroom like they do now, with all those fancy taps and fittings. None of it. It seems astonishing central heating wasn't adapted years ago, but, c'est la vie! Would have made a lot of difference in those bitter icy winters.'
After further discussion, the morning had advanced and a nice lunch became uppermost in Tony's thoughts.
'Don't know about you Harry, but I fancy finding a decent little restaurant where we can sit and watch the world go by.' Harry was in agreement and they strolled back towards the hotel, finding a suitable place to sit in the warm sunshine. The weather although changeable, remained warm in sheltered areas as the main street stretched long and wide, the city surrounded by rising vine-covered hills, farms and grazing, reaching higher to the foothills of the mountains.
As they settled at a table, Harry had been thinking about the city of Martigny and how it was linked with Italy via the St Bernard Pass - one of the main routes across the Alps, once used by Caesar, Charlemagne, Hannibal and more recently by Napoleon. His thoughts were interrupted momentarily by Tony on an entirely unrelated subject.
'Did you know this city is well known for a pear brandy produced here?'
'No... err...what was that you said?'
'Weren't you listing just now? I asked if...'
'Yes, yes...I was actually. Just elsewhere with my thoughts, that's all.'
Tony remained patient. 'Where exactly?'
'I was thinking about the St Bernard Pass,' replied Harry.
'What on earth for, may I ask?'
Harry remained in a state of momentary confusion - his thoughts amounting to many questions in his fuddled mind. He rubbed his temples with his fingers. 'Oh, I started wondering about something...'
Tony frowned. 'Now what? By the way, do you want something to eat? We'd better order soon. I'm even more hungry now. Museums make me hungry, or perhaps it's the alpine air.' His gaze wandered to the mountains in the distance.
'You're always hungry. I'll have what you're having,' Harry answered, still pondering with different ideas flooding through his mind. 'A beer too would do nicely - thanks. It will help me to think,' he mumbled.
'About what?' Tony's eyes narrowed, beginning to wonder what was going through his friend 's mind in particular.
'Do you see that newspaper over there?' Harry nodded in the direction where it was displayed for all to see - a short distance away from their table. 'Can you read what it says from here?' he asked, knowing Tony's eyes weren't as sharp as they used to be?'
Tony peered over at the news stand, where the headlines were clear and concise. His eyes widened, eyebrows shooting up. He became quite animated. 'Hey Harry, that looks interesting! Well I never. Could it be the same murder we almost discovered in Nice?'
'I think it could be. Not a lot of murders would occur there, surely?'
It set Tony's mind racing immediately.
They ordered lunch from a young male waiter, who was eager to write it down, as the seats were filling up quickly. He smiled briefly, before scurrying back to the kitchen.
Harry continued with his thoughts. 'That's what I've been wondering about soon after we settled here.'
'What exactly?' Tony was becoming caught up in Harry's intrigue, thinking along the same lines as his friend. 'You don't think...'
'I do and I have been - yes. I've hardly stopped thinking about that murder since we left Nice. What I saw has bothered me for a long time. The man's face fitted someone we both met and with whom we spent quite a while - a meal even!'
Tony was now fully alert and drew his chair in closer to face his friend who was frowning, looking somewhat grim. 'Who for goodness sake?'
Harry took a long slow breath before answering. 'Well...when we stayed at the house in Port Grimaud briefly...' He paused for several moments.
'Go on, don't stop now!' Tony was anxious to hear what was coming next, sharpening his gaze, fixing it on the person sitting opposite on the other side of the table.
'Well...do you remember Vanessa's father, Luca?' he asked.
'No! You don't mean him, surely?' Tony's eyes grew larger. 'I can hardly believe...'
Harry wasn't daunted by his own accusation. 'Yes, I do and when I saw that man's face briefly from the car as he turned before disappearing up a laneway that day, I've been troubled ever since. I wasn't sure it was him at the time - couldn't quite remember where I'd seen that face. But now... see? There's a photo of him on the front page. Looks as though they have apprehended him and he's been charged with murder.'
Tony was astonished. At first words escaped him, but then after considering the situation said, 'Murder! Good lord! But what do you think his motive would have been?'
Harry rose then and wandered over to the news stand. He returned slowly, engrossed with what was written on the front page. 'It appears the motive was jealousy, at least I think so.' He read on.
'Jealousy? That makes no sense. Anything else?' Tony looked puzzled. The waiter chose that moment to deliver their meal. 'Merci,' Tony said, as the young man put the beers to one side. 'What else does it say Harry?'
Harry read further down the front page, muttering. "l'homme a ete pris pour...'
'Taken to where?' Tony was impatient to hear more. 'Where have they taken him?'
'Good grief! You'll never guess?' Harry looked up from the newspaper.
His friend was fit to burst with curiosity. He couldn't wait a moment longer and almost snatched the newspaper from Harry's hands. He read the French, skipping over a few words he wasn't sure about, but he certainly got the gist of the article, then announced looking up at Harry. 'Luca was brought here, to Martigny! Can you imagine that? It says he was found soon after crossing the St.Bernard Pass from Italy. He must have almost taken the same route as us. The police from several countries have been looking for him. Evidently he committed a minor offense years ago, it says, and they found finger prints at the scene in Nice and were a perfect match. Well well!'
His chum reflected for a moment, eyebrows knitting together as he thought. 'But why was the motive jealousy I wonder?' Harry remained a little puzzled.
Tony read on further. 'It appears after being questioned for two hours, Luca eventually told the police everything, that his daughter Vanessa had been having an affair and disloyal to her husband George. So he killed her lover. I'd have been tempted to...'
Harry stopped him in time. 'Don't say it. You wouldn't have been tempted and you know it. You couldn't even squash a fly, let alone...'
Tony ploughed on. 'He did it to try and save their marriage it says here. That's a thin excuse, I must say. The Swiss police noticed his car he was still driving - parked near the same café we called at, not long after the tunnel from Italy. You know, the one where the lady...'
'Yes, I remember the one. We enjoyed a pleasant lunch by a large waterfall some time later after sampling some delicious cheese, What else does it say?'
'Hmmm...sa fille...bla bla bla...'
'What about his daughter?' Harry took a long draught of his cold beer and sat back to ponder what had come to light at last.
'It doesn't say a lot more. It just mentions that his daughter won't be charged as an accessory to the murder,' Tony replied, still reading over the front page of the newspaper. He looked up suddenly. 'Do you realize Christine, who we shared the house with briefly and with whom we went to Monroe's pub, is the ex wife of another good friend of mine?' Tony continued, looking grim. 'Well Vanessa was her step daughter if you remember, and George her husband. Luca was Vanessa's father.'
Harry grimaced for several moments, not sure what to say next, then added, 'Yes, I remember all of them. Luca was at the pub too when we had those pizzas. That's why Luca's face drifted in and out of my mind after we left Nice. I only caught a brief glimpse of him at the time, and why it has taken so long for it to register. Probably just as well, because we could have been detained there a lot longer by the police.'
'But what a dreadful thing to do under the circumstances. He must have had a few other problems up above.' Tony pointed briefly to his head, his expression taught.
'Perhaps you're right. Sounds as thought he might have been...' Harry cleared his throat, 'you know, a little touched up there. I wonder what Vanessa is thinking now, she being the cause of it? But you don't go around murdering people because of an affair! I wonder if Luca had been planning this at the time we were eating at Monroe's pub?'
'Who knows. It's over now and thank goodness it is. If you had remembered him at the time when you saw Luca for that brief moment in Nice, you might have had to go to court when his case came up.'
Harry smiled grimly and pulled one of his faces. 'A lucky escape I guess.' He gave a large sigh of relief. 'Fancy another beer Tony?'
'Yeah, why not! A small celebration, huh?' He was also hoping they could put this business well and truly behind them. They still had a long journey ahead of them.
The sun's rays drifted across the table and through the restaurant, as shadows were creeping stealthily over the hills and valleys nearby, nestling into sloping shingled rooftops and large leafy trees lining the roadside, their foliage remained vivid green mainly, with only a hint of changing seasons. Autumn hadn't arrived as yet.
The next morning they had arisen feeling refreshed, wanting to be on the road immediately after breakfast - looking forward to seeing more of Switzerland. Their next planned stay, being Lausanne, today's drive would be relatively straight forward for Harry.
They cheerfully packed the car again, setting off in a northerly direction, soon to skirt Lake Leman, or as some called it, Lake Geneva.
Several clouds speckled the sky as mists were burning off the valleys, swirling ghost-like in early autumn light. Beside the road, moisture threaded its way through the undergrowth and tall grass, where it rose in soft wisps drifting low over streams and meadows. A few trees moved silently in a gentle breeze as they stood like sentinels dotted over hills and around farms. The houses were typically Swiss and in a few of the fields they passed, herds of cows were peacefully grazing, bells tied around their necks on strong leather straps, clanging as they strolled looking for the sweetest grass to eat. Most of the best grazing was already eaten, as autumn was not far off. They would be brought in to winter over in sheds until the following spring.
'You're quiet this morning my friend.' Tony noticed Harry looking pensive and tried to cheer him up. 'Just think of what we might find today, eh?'
'Like what may I ask?' He sounded almost gloomy.
'Oh! a castle or two. We could explore that one at Chillon. It's right on the lake. I thought you'd like that. What do you say?'
'That sounds nice,' replied Harry, with a smile. 'I was just wondering if I should programme Miss Madam for today, that's all. We need to find that hotel you mentioned and we don't have a map of Lausanne.'
'Apart from the fact she's been difficult at times, it wouldn't be a bad idea,' Tony agreed. 'We don't want to go round in circles again, like we did in Avignon. What a fiasco that was!'
Harry soon found a place to pull over where he used the same process as before to enter the hotel name and address.
'There - done!', he announced, looking pleased with himself. 'Let's hope no mess ups today. It should be a simple matter of driving anti-clockwise around the lake to find Lausanne. But first, Chillon castle.'
'Why there in particular?' enquired Tony.
'Because it goes back a long time in history, being the 12th century when it was in the Savoy era. The castle is a listed medieval building hundreds of years old. In it's lifetime over many centuries it has seen different construction and alterations. It was built on a small rocky island jutting out into the lake, attached to the mainland by a man-made bridge, acting both as natural protection and a strategic location to control movement between both the north and south of Europe and trade passing through the Alps. Then came the Bernese era from 1536, followed by the Vaudois era from 1798 until today.'
Tony was more than a little impressed with what Harry had just related. 'Good lord! You do appear to know an awful lot about that place, don't you old friend?'
Harry grinned. 'Oh, a little I guess. Another medieval place I've come across while reading,' he said, driving on a pleasant stretch of road. 'These places and the people who lived there can be fascinating. They travelled an awful lot too - all on horseback. Imagine that! Think of how many miles we cover in a day in the car and all they had were horses. They managed to venture out a lot too, often covering many miles in a year.'
'The winter would have put a halt on things,' Tony considered. 'Specially in these mountainous areas,' he added, gazing into the distance.
'It prevented battles too. No one in their right mind could conduct a battle in freezing, icy conditions. They needed to wait until spring or at least better weather.'
Miss Madam, their sat/nav guided them towards the start of Lake Leman and soon they were thinking of stopping for a coffee. Harry spotted a car park across the road from a restaurant built out over the lake. 'This looks hopeful,' he said, bringing the black Mercedes to a halt.
'
Wednesday 14 January 2015
Onwards and upwards - Chapter eight
Menton was every bit as they had expected. Many boats of varying sizes rocked gently side to side, sheets jangling against masts while they were anchored close to the shore, or tied up at marinas. The town rose gently into the hills behind with narrow streets and widening roads ambling around a curved bay. Both men were beginning to wish they had stayed longer, but considered it best to stick to their plans of immediately crossing the border into Italy, before turning north towards Switzerland and left Menton reluctantly. It was to be their last glimpse of the deep blue and green Mediterranean, with its many bays and beaches, villages and large towns that adorned and beautified its existence.
The French Riviera was a haven for so many of the sailing community, both rich and famous, but also for fisherman providing fresh catches for the many restaurants and hotels - to visitors flocking to the well kept and often elegant resorts. It also possessed a chic standard of living for retired people both in the towns, villages and for those who lived amongst the hilltops overlooking the Mediterranean sea. There would always remain a pleasant mixture of society, a melting pot of cultures that mingled well in the various shops, eateries and sporting opportunities, blending like a marbled cake, the differences still apparent with always an opulent atmosphere.
The road towards Turin and the bypass west to their hotel were relatively straight forward.
Sweeping into the hotel car park, Harry and Tony thought how very different it was to the French ones. The meal that night was not up to expectations, but the rooms were very large, which somehow made up for it.
The next day saw the scenery change rapidly as the black Mercedes began climbing into the foothills of the Alps. In the distance a few majestic peaks remained white-capped with snow, deep valleys were scattered haphazardly throughout, but somehow everywhere presented itself in an orderly fashion of stunning beauty - the sweeping countryside taking on an air of peaceful tranquility away from the Mediterranean.
Before too long Harry stopped the car and programmed Miss Madam, the sat/nav, for help. There could be a few tricky sections of today's drive neither wished to get wrong. Although Tony was a decent map reader, or so he thought, the road ahead could present problems when it came to winding around mountainous roads and finding the hotel in the next town where they planned to stay, being Martigny in Switzerland.
They were now driving on a steep road in places, passing through sheer rock-face on the edge of cliffs, the odd waterfall cascading down rocky gorges - roads being tunnels of winding terror for the unaware, undisciplined driver, open on one side, endlessly twisting and turning upwards, the scenery changing with every bend of the road. Harry needed to stay focused, otherwise there could be serious consequences. All the signs were in Italian and not too difficult to understand, but understanding them was of absolute necessity.
'Right then! That's seems to be correct.' Harry settled back into his seat again, buckling up the seat belt, then re-started the engine.
The French Riviera was a haven for so many of the sailing community, both rich and famous, but also for fisherman providing fresh catches for the many restaurants and hotels - to visitors flocking to the well kept and often elegant resorts. It also possessed a chic standard of living for retired people both in the towns, villages and for those who lived amongst the hilltops overlooking the Mediterranean sea. There would always remain a pleasant mixture of society, a melting pot of cultures that mingled well in the various shops, eateries and sporting opportunities, blending like a marbled cake, the differences still apparent with always an opulent atmosphere.
The road towards Turin and the bypass west to their hotel were relatively straight forward.
Sweeping into the hotel car park, Harry and Tony thought how very different it was to the French ones. The meal that night was not up to expectations, but the rooms were very large, which somehow made up for it.
The next day saw the scenery change rapidly as the black Mercedes began climbing into the foothills of the Alps. In the distance a few majestic peaks remained white-capped with snow, deep valleys were scattered haphazardly throughout, but somehow everywhere presented itself in an orderly fashion of stunning beauty - the sweeping countryside taking on an air of peaceful tranquility away from the Mediterranean.
Before too long Harry stopped the car and programmed Miss Madam, the sat/nav, for help. There could be a few tricky sections of today's drive neither wished to get wrong. Although Tony was a decent map reader, or so he thought, the road ahead could present problems when it came to winding around mountainous roads and finding the hotel in the next town where they planned to stay, being Martigny in Switzerland.
They were now driving on a steep road in places, passing through sheer rock-face on the edge of cliffs, the odd waterfall cascading down rocky gorges - roads being tunnels of winding terror for the unaware, undisciplined driver, open on one side, endlessly twisting and turning upwards, the scenery changing with every bend of the road. Harry needed to stay focused, otherwise there could be serious consequences. All the signs were in Italian and not too difficult to understand, but understanding them was of absolute necessity.
'Right then! That's seems to be correct.' Harry settled back into his seat again, buckling up the seat belt, then re-started the engine.
Tony checked the map one last time for guidance - his version of doing things. He was reluctant to rely on Miss Madam entirely, after a few chaotic experiences. These car 'accessories' were not always up to scratch and trusting them wholeheartedly went against his nature. 'It must be his age', he thought, with a resigned inward intolerance.
'The road up ahead looks rather bendy,' he reluctantly informed his friend, expressing a grim tone. 'I hope Miss Madam will handle it. There appears to be masses of steepening hills surrounding us too.' He gazed upwards to the towering peaks not far away - their splendour and grandeur capturing his imagination briefly, before studying the picture the sat/nav presented. 'Hey, just look at that!' he remarked incredulously. 'There are hills on either side of the road there too! Well I never knew that before!' Tony exclaimed, giving a slight shrug of his shoulders. Then he chuckled. 'That's a clever little toy, isn't it?'
'Of course there are, silly.' A pertinent voice uttered the comment from somewhere of the dashboard region. 'A satellite up above will find you almost anywhere,' she inferred without hesitation 'It notices the hills and valleys too, as you carve your way through the countryside. Picks up all the roads, rivers and signposts.'
Tony pulled a face, his eyes wide. 'Almost? Now how can that be, huh?'
The voice continued as Miss Madam became her usual dictatorial self again. 'Do you realize you are heading for a tunnel soon? It's not easy finding you under all these rocky cliffs. This road does make things difficult at times,' she blathered on, for she was no ordinary sat/nav it seemed.
Harry had been listening with a wry smile on his face. Then his face changed as he manoeuvred around a sharp bend in the tunnel of rocks and boulders the road was cut through. His jaw dropped and his mouth opened in sympathy for his friend. 'Hey ho Tony, she's off again. Always needs the last word. Just as long as she is accurate, that's all I care about.'
After driving along the beautiful Valle d'Aosta in Italy, they paid a hefty toll, passing through the long St. Bernard tunnel, before dropping down into Switzerland on the other side. Soon after, Harry stopped the car at a roadside shop with conveniences.
They got out of the car and breathed deeply.
'Smell that alpine air!' cried Tony, sniffing with his eyes closed tightly, then began reaching for a jacket 'Much colder too - more so than down by the Med. It's the higher altitude I guess. I wonder if you can get something to eat here?'
Harry donned a jacket also. 'You're always thinking about your stomach. Well alright, perhaps a nice hot coffee would be in order. It's certainly not as warm as the coast was.'
They crossed the road to what looked like some sort of restaurant or local cafe, bearing the Swiss flag flying proudly above its rooftop, with check curtains in small homely-looking windows, a smell of freshly roasted coffee wafting briefly through the mountain air. Harry paused before they entered and walked a little way down the side of the road, peering into the distance. Steep grass-covered hills reached to the roadside on each side as the undulations rose and fell gently down the slopes into grassy meadows beyond.
'The road up ahead looks rather bendy,' he reluctantly informed his friend, expressing a grim tone. 'I hope Miss Madam will handle it. There appears to be masses of steepening hills surrounding us too.' He gazed upwards to the towering peaks not far away - their splendour and grandeur capturing his imagination briefly, before studying the picture the sat/nav presented. 'Hey, just look at that!' he remarked incredulously. 'There are hills on either side of the road there too! Well I never knew that before!' Tony exclaimed, giving a slight shrug of his shoulders. Then he chuckled. 'That's a clever little toy, isn't it?'
'Of course there are, silly.' A pertinent voice uttered the comment from somewhere of the dashboard region. 'A satellite up above will find you almost anywhere,' she inferred without hesitation 'It notices the hills and valleys too, as you carve your way through the countryside. Picks up all the roads, rivers and signposts.'
Tony pulled a face, his eyes wide. 'Almost? Now how can that be, huh?'
The voice continued as Miss Madam became her usual dictatorial self again. 'Do you realize you are heading for a tunnel soon? It's not easy finding you under all these rocky cliffs. This road does make things difficult at times,' she blathered on, for she was no ordinary sat/nav it seemed.
Harry had been listening with a wry smile on his face. Then his face changed as he manoeuvred around a sharp bend in the tunnel of rocks and boulders the road was cut through. His jaw dropped and his mouth opened in sympathy for his friend. 'Hey ho Tony, she's off again. Always needs the last word. Just as long as she is accurate, that's all I care about.'
After driving along the beautiful Valle d'Aosta in Italy, they paid a hefty toll, passing through the long St. Bernard tunnel, before dropping down into Switzerland on the other side. Soon after, Harry stopped the car at a roadside shop with conveniences.
They got out of the car and breathed deeply.
'Smell that alpine air!' cried Tony, sniffing with his eyes closed tightly, then began reaching for a jacket 'Much colder too - more so than down by the Med. It's the higher altitude I guess. I wonder if you can get something to eat here?'
Harry donned a jacket also. 'You're always thinking about your stomach. Well alright, perhaps a nice hot coffee would be in order. It's certainly not as warm as the coast was.'
They crossed the road to what looked like some sort of restaurant or local cafe, bearing the Swiss flag flying proudly above its rooftop, with check curtains in small homely-looking windows, a smell of freshly roasted coffee wafting briefly through the mountain air. Harry paused before they entered and walked a little way down the side of the road, peering into the distance. Steep grass-covered hills reached to the roadside on each side as the undulations rose and fell gently down the slopes into grassy meadows beyond.
'It's beautiful here,' he remarked to no one in particular - then continued admiring what lay before him. 'I can even hear cowbells in the valley down there,' he murmured to himself, smiling into the distance. 'Haven't heard that sound for a long time.' He remained there several more moments, enjoying the quietness and being alone for a change.
He caught up with Tony as he was disappearing through the door of the cosy looking restaurant. They ordered coffee from a middle aged lady wearing Swiss National costume, then sat at a small table overlooking a well-kept garden at the side.
'How are you feeling after your, err... ordeal in France, going over that cliff-face the way you did?' Harry gave a little cough, biting down on his bottom lip trying not to smile.
'You can grin all you want my dear friend. But it was bloody frightening to say the least - if you'll excuse the language.' Tony winced slightly as he pulled his chair closer to the table. Harry's face was one of mirth, before becoming serious.
'Actually it was extremely frightening for me too, old boy. Thought that was the end of you for a moment. It gave me a heck of a shock you know. Just as well you've still got a little arm muscle left, isn't it? That other little problem...umm, has that improved at all?' He couldn't stop grinning, then burst into peels of laughter.
Tony looked out of the window, then returned to glance at his friend again. 'Well a little better I suppose. Not a good experience for any man,' he replied, feeling a bit sorry for himself.
'Awe, I'm sorry, of course you are right old friend. I wouldn't have fancied going over a cliff either. At least the views were pretty spectacular though.' Harry became serious again. 'You must have been stuck down there in a very awkward position. And pulling you up like that... phew! That wasn't good.' He was all concern for his unfortunate friend and repeating how lucky they had been in finding those two policemen at the right moment. They more than likely saved Tony's life.
'I wasn't concerned about the views thank you,' Tony retorted before continuing. 'More concerned on how much longer I had to live and dead lucky to hold on for so long.' He felt a little exasperated trying to ignore Harry's frivolous remark. He frowned, a dark look on his face. 'Must be the arm wrestling with the grandchildren that helped, but it wasn't much fun and I don't wish to repeat it either.'
'No, of course not,' mumbled Harry, feeling a little remorse because of his flippant remark.
The coffee arrived at that moment from the gracious lady who had taken their order at the counter.
'Merci beaucoup', said Harry with a smile, taking the tray from her.
'Tony leant in a bit. 'Very nice...!
'What! The coffee?'
'No, silly. That very attractive Swiss woman.'
'Oh! Hadn't noticed myself.'
Tony grinned in his usual knowing way. When it came to attractive women, he usually noticed them. He always had this ability, with a charming manner to add to it. 'I bet you did' - then added, 'wonder if we could buy something for lunch here?' he asked, looking over to another part of the small cafe with expectation.
Harry took a long sip of the warming coffee. 'I expect so. This place is a curious mixture,' he said in a low voice, gazing over to where Harry had indicted. 'Probably everything is home made and fresh though. They wouldn't keep bothering to get fresh supplies from Italy and travel that long tunnel we've just come through, now would they? That toll was monstrous!'
'Definitely not, if I know the Swiss. Like to be a bit independent they do. I might ask for a cheese and lettuce roll myself.' Tony inclined his head towards the counter where the attractive Swiss lady was preparing something. 'I'll order yours too if you like,' he offered, grinning into his coffee cup.
'It doesn't take you long to notice our surroundings, does it?' laughed Harry.
'What surroundings could you possibly mean, huh?' Tony glanced up at the ceiling trying not to react. 'I bet they produce all their own cheeses too. Did I hear cow bells in the valley earlier?'
His friend remained passive. 'You did and I'll have what you are having please. Then we'll try and find a decent restaurant for tonight's supper when we reach Martigny.'
'When we finally reach there - yes. Good thinking.' Tony looked over towards the counter and finishing his coffee, decided to try and order some lunch for them both in his best French. He thought to himself that they surely wouldn't speak German this far west.
He approached the lady, who was wearing a lacey trimmed crisp white apron, busy with her tasks. 'Excusez-moi madam,' he began, then lost heart. Somehow the lady already knew they might be English.
'Yes... may I help you?' she enquired, with a kindly smile and in good English.
'Oh!' At first she caught Tony unawares, feeling a little flustered. 'May we please have two rolls with cheese and lettuce if possible?' he asked, cheeks blushing which hadn't happened in a long time. He felt self conscious at first, then becoming more self-assured.
'Of course. Anything else? A drink maybe?'
Tony thought quickly. 'Two coffees to take away please.' Although they had just had more coffee, he couldn't think of what else to say.
The lady smiled and nodded, then set about preparing his order. Tony turned back to Harry, who was finishing his coffee and looking for the conveniences. The lady spotted the signs and nodded to the back of the café.
Harry grinned in recognition heading off in that direction.
Tony faced the Swiss lady again. 'Have you been here a long time?'
She looked up kindly, a gentle expression on her attractive face, which had been tanned over the summer by the sun - her blue eyes were deep-set and meaningful. Under the fresh-looking white apron, her pale blue skirt and blouse not only matched her bright eyes, were spotlessly clean.
'About thirty years,' she replied.
Harry hesitated for a moment before asking the next question. 'Do you make your own cheese by the way? There seems to be several milking herds around here.'
'Oh yes. We have been producing our own cheese and yoghurt for a very long time. Many people do. Any excess can always be sold.'
Harry gave a nod of approval turning back to her from briefly glancing around the shop area. 'Will you be including some in those rolls?' he asked, indicating in their direction.
The lady smiled again. 'Of course!'
'We are yet to taste it, but I'm sure it will be delicious,' Tony concluded.
Harry returned at that moment and came to stand beside his friend. The lady cut two sample pieces from a large round of cheese, handing them on the end of a knife for the men to taste.
They gratefully accepted her kind gesture, each taking a bite. Tony was the first to speak. 'I was right! I've never tasted anything quite like this.'
'It's simply delicious!' Harry agreed. 'Oh my goodness! He bit into the last morsel as his face took on an amazed look.
'I'm pleased you like it gentlemen.' The Swiss lady beamed in moderation, then handed their lunch to Tony, who hurried to extract some money to pay for it. 'Merci beaucoup madam. It's been a pleasure.'
He gave a little bow and turned to Harry. 'Time to go I think,' before turning back to the lady, when both thanked her again before leaving.
'You are most welcome gentlemen and thank you for calling in.'
'What a lovely place that was!' exclaimed Tony, arriving back at the car.
Harry opened his door on the driver's side as usual. 'You've done it again, haven't you?'
'Done what?' asked Tony innocently, wondering at first what his friend was insinuating, before looking a bit sheepish.
Harry laughed. 'You know perfectly well what I mean. Charming that lady in there into tasting some cheese.'
'Oh that!'
'Yes that!' Harry replied, pulling a face at Tony.
'Well alright,' Tony agreed reluctantly. 'Perhaps I did a bit and I bet we'll enjoy our lunch all the more for it. She was really nice though,' he added.
The engine started and Harry turned out of the car park. 'I'm sure you are right,' he chuckled.
'How are you feeling after your, err... ordeal in France, going over that cliff-face the way you did?' Harry gave a little cough, biting down on his bottom lip trying not to smile.
'You can grin all you want my dear friend. But it was bloody frightening to say the least - if you'll excuse the language.' Tony winced slightly as he pulled his chair closer to the table. Harry's face was one of mirth, before becoming serious.
'Actually it was extremely frightening for me too, old boy. Thought that was the end of you for a moment. It gave me a heck of a shock you know. Just as well you've still got a little arm muscle left, isn't it? That other little problem...umm, has that improved at all?' He couldn't stop grinning, then burst into peels of laughter.
Tony looked out of the window, then returned to glance at his friend again. 'Well a little better I suppose. Not a good experience for any man,' he replied, feeling a bit sorry for himself.
'Awe, I'm sorry, of course you are right old friend. I wouldn't have fancied going over a cliff either. At least the views were pretty spectacular though.' Harry became serious again. 'You must have been stuck down there in a very awkward position. And pulling you up like that... phew! That wasn't good.' He was all concern for his unfortunate friend and repeating how lucky they had been in finding those two policemen at the right moment. They more than likely saved Tony's life.
'I wasn't concerned about the views thank you,' Tony retorted before continuing. 'More concerned on how much longer I had to live and dead lucky to hold on for so long.' He felt a little exasperated trying to ignore Harry's frivolous remark. He frowned, a dark look on his face. 'Must be the arm wrestling with the grandchildren that helped, but it wasn't much fun and I don't wish to repeat it either.'
'No, of course not,' mumbled Harry, feeling a little remorse because of his flippant remark.
The coffee arrived at that moment from the gracious lady who had taken their order at the counter.
'Merci beaucoup', said Harry with a smile, taking the tray from her.
'Tony leant in a bit. 'Very nice...!
'What! The coffee?'
'No, silly. That very attractive Swiss woman.'
'Oh! Hadn't noticed myself.'
Tony grinned in his usual knowing way. When it came to attractive women, he usually noticed them. He always had this ability, with a charming manner to add to it. 'I bet you did' - then added, 'wonder if we could buy something for lunch here?' he asked, looking over to another part of the small cafe with expectation.
Harry took a long sip of the warming coffee. 'I expect so. This place is a curious mixture,' he said in a low voice, gazing over to where Harry had indicted. 'Probably everything is home made and fresh though. They wouldn't keep bothering to get fresh supplies from Italy and travel that long tunnel we've just come through, now would they? That toll was monstrous!'
'Definitely not, if I know the Swiss. Like to be a bit independent they do. I might ask for a cheese and lettuce roll myself.' Tony inclined his head towards the counter where the attractive Swiss lady was preparing something. 'I'll order yours too if you like,' he offered, grinning into his coffee cup.
'It doesn't take you long to notice our surroundings, does it?' laughed Harry.
'What surroundings could you possibly mean, huh?' Tony glanced up at the ceiling trying not to react. 'I bet they produce all their own cheeses too. Did I hear cow bells in the valley earlier?'
His friend remained passive. 'You did and I'll have what you are having please. Then we'll try and find a decent restaurant for tonight's supper when we reach Martigny.'
'When we finally reach there - yes. Good thinking.' Tony looked over towards the counter and finishing his coffee, decided to try and order some lunch for them both in his best French. He thought to himself that they surely wouldn't speak German this far west.
He approached the lady, who was wearing a lacey trimmed crisp white apron, busy with her tasks. 'Excusez-moi madam,' he began, then lost heart. Somehow the lady already knew they might be English.
'Yes... may I help you?' she enquired, with a kindly smile and in good English.
'Oh!' At first she caught Tony unawares, feeling a little flustered. 'May we please have two rolls with cheese and lettuce if possible?' he asked, cheeks blushing which hadn't happened in a long time. He felt self conscious at first, then becoming more self-assured.
'Of course. Anything else? A drink maybe?'
Tony thought quickly. 'Two coffees to take away please.' Although they had just had more coffee, he couldn't think of what else to say.
The lady smiled and nodded, then set about preparing his order. Tony turned back to Harry, who was finishing his coffee and looking for the conveniences. The lady spotted the signs and nodded to the back of the café.
Harry grinned in recognition heading off in that direction.
Tony faced the Swiss lady again. 'Have you been here a long time?'
She looked up kindly, a gentle expression on her attractive face, which had been tanned over the summer by the sun - her blue eyes were deep-set and meaningful. Under the fresh-looking white apron, her pale blue skirt and blouse not only matched her bright eyes, were spotlessly clean.
'About thirty years,' she replied.
Harry hesitated for a moment before asking the next question. 'Do you make your own cheese by the way? There seems to be several milking herds around here.'
'Oh yes. We have been producing our own cheese and yoghurt for a very long time. Many people do. Any excess can always be sold.'
Harry gave a nod of approval turning back to her from briefly glancing around the shop area. 'Will you be including some in those rolls?' he asked, indicating in their direction.
The lady smiled again. 'Of course!'
'We are yet to taste it, but I'm sure it will be delicious,' Tony concluded.
Harry returned at that moment and came to stand beside his friend. The lady cut two sample pieces from a large round of cheese, handing them on the end of a knife for the men to taste.
They gratefully accepted her kind gesture, each taking a bite. Tony was the first to speak. 'I was right! I've never tasted anything quite like this.'
'It's simply delicious!' Harry agreed. 'Oh my goodness! He bit into the last morsel as his face took on an amazed look.
'I'm pleased you like it gentlemen.' The Swiss lady beamed in moderation, then handed their lunch to Tony, who hurried to extract some money to pay for it. 'Merci beaucoup madam. It's been a pleasure.'
He gave a little bow and turned to Harry. 'Time to go I think,' before turning back to the lady, when both thanked her again before leaving.
'You are most welcome gentlemen and thank you for calling in.'
'What a lovely place that was!' exclaimed Tony, arriving back at the car.
Harry opened his door on the driver's side as usual. 'You've done it again, haven't you?'
'Done what?' asked Tony innocently, wondering at first what his friend was insinuating, before looking a bit sheepish.
Harry laughed. 'You know perfectly well what I mean. Charming that lady in there into tasting some cheese.'
'Oh that!'
'Yes that!' Harry replied, pulling a face at Tony.
'Well alright,' Tony agreed reluctantly. 'Perhaps I did a bit and I bet we'll enjoy our lunch all the more for it. She was really nice though,' he added.
The engine started and Harry turned out of the car park. 'I'm sure you are right,' he chuckled.
Miss Madam the sat/nav decided at that moment to announce further directions. 'Continue for the next ten miles, then prepare to carry straight on.'
Tony looked up startled. 'What on earth does that mean - prepare to carry straight on?'
'All in good time,' came the answer from Miss Madam.
'It makes no sense,' said Tony. "Prepare to carry straight on!" 'I ask you - not even logical! What is she up to now, I wonder?'
'Hmmm...' Harry was more than a little suspicious himself.
'It makes no sense,' said Tony. "Prepare to carry straight on!" 'I ask you - not even logical! What is she up to now, I wonder?'
'Hmmm...' Harry was more than a little suspicious himself.
The car cruised on in the direction dictated, but Harry became more than suspicious now. Their vacation was full of twists and turns that had not been expected. The weather was changing as clouds loomed up ahead, already shedding large droplets onto the windscreen, causing visibility to become more difficult with each moment.
'Damn and blast!' Harry uttered, his face becoming as dark as the weather outside. 'This is not helpful.'
The rain was more intense and all he could do was slow down and continue on, being careful not to miss anything important in the way of signposts. It wasn't possible to stop now, as barricades prevented them each side of the winding road. Steep alpine slopes loomed everywhere they looked, the weather deteriorating with every mile, the windscreen appearing as a colourful blur, indicating their difficult surroundings.
The rain was more intense and all he could do was slow down and continue on, being careful not to miss anything important in the way of signposts. It wasn't possible to stop now, as barricades prevented them each side of the winding road. Steep alpine slopes loomed everywhere they looked, the weather deteriorating with every mile, the windscreen appearing as a colourful blur, indicating their difficult surroundings.
Suddenly, after the required miles were undertaken, a sign appeared stating that the tunnel ahead was closed.
Miss Madam chose that moment to further instruct them to continue on.
'But we can't do that!' cried Tony, feeling frustrated and annoyed, wondering if there was any alternative.
They found a suitable, more minor road leading off to the right and decided to try it, which soon appeared to be looping back, taking them miles in the wrong direction. After many miles, further, they arrived back where they started - the tunnel remaining closed with what appeared, no alternatives.
They found a suitable, more minor road leading off to the right and decided to try it, which soon appeared to be looping back, taking them miles in the wrong direction. After many miles, further, they arrived back where they started - the tunnel remaining closed with what appeared, no alternatives.
Exasperated, Harry sighed, his face darkening like the weather outside, rain lashing the car with monotonous rapidity. 'Now what?' There was nothing for it than to think and reason what was to be done. The situation seemed hopeless. He was feeling hot and bothered, when a car drew up alongside them. They must have noticed the English plates.
'Can we help you!' a man asked, lowering his car window. His wife was sitting beside him looking hesitant and concerned.
'Can we help you!' a man asked, lowering his car window. His wife was sitting beside him looking hesitant and concerned.
Harry immediately opened his window, one finger firmly on the button. 'Yes please,' he answered, somewhat relieved.
The man indicated they follow him after being informed they were trying to reach Martigny.
The man indicated they follow him after being informed they were trying to reach Martigny.
'Thank you kindly,' replied Harry with a smile. 'We will.'
Tony was amazed and blew out through his mouth with grateful relief as they both sat tight, nervously keeping a careful eye on the car in front, the rain not letting up in the slightest.
'Thank goodness he's not driving too fast.' Harry muttered, continuing with complete concentration.
'He's being careful not to lose us. Amen to that!'
The Swiss driver in front drove up hills, down and around small roads, under a bridge, eventually stopping when they came to a main road again - miraculously pointing to the sign and direction Harry needed to take. It was clearly indicating they were on the outskirts of Martigny.
Harry tooted a thanks and all waved a cheery goodbye.
'Thank goodness he's not driving too fast.' Harry muttered, continuing with complete concentration.
'He's being careful not to lose us. Amen to that!'
The Swiss driver in front drove up hills, down and around small roads, under a bridge, eventually stopping when they came to a main road again - miraculously pointing to the sign and direction Harry needed to take. It was clearly indicating they were on the outskirts of Martigny.
Harry tooted a thanks and all waved a cheery goodbye.
There was a great sense of relief when they finally drove into the main part of town. Within no time at all, they found their way to a suitable hotel, backing onto a park. Sweeping into the leafy carpark, both men exhaled deeply, grateful to have arrived. Immediately the surrounding scenery was admired, the centre part of Martigny looking invitingly attractive with perhaps a Swiss fondu supper to look forward to later.
The evening grew warmer again as rain-filled clouds rolled away to the east, the sun setting with a final glow of pinks and soft yellows reflecting upon the roadside and in smart shop windows. It enhanced the atmosphere which at times felt fresh and invigorating, the last of the sun's rays casting soft shadows through a local park and onto nearby two story shingled Swiss houses, leaving the two friends with a feeling of euphoria, belonging and enjoyment of their surroundings.
They donned jackets and clean shirts before making their way along one of the main thoroughfares, seeking out a suitable place to eat supper.
'How about a proper Swiss fondue?' Tony suggested.
Harry thought for a moment while they strolled. 'What! - a cheesy one do you mean?'
'There are several types of fondue you know - not only cheese ones, but meat and chocolate ones too. Image all that bubbling thick chocolate with all sorts of things to dip into it?' he suggested.
'No thanks! Much too sweet for me. But a meat one sounds interesting. I might try that. It's a very long time since I had a fondue. What about you?' Harry looked expectantly at his friend as they both remembered a long time ago, to the days when people had fondue dinner parties.
Tony agreed, but he was feeling more like sampling some fresh fish instead, as they spotted a suitable restaurant a little further on.
It was mutually agree upon and they found it contained a few spare tables as yet unoccupied. They were guided to a table for two along a wall, where most of the tables were placed side by side.
Soon they were approached by a young lady with a charming smile, dimple in both cheeks and sparkling eyes, to take their order, much to Tony's pleasure and delight.
'Are you ready to order gentleman?' she asked, in perfect English.
Harry glanced up from reading the menu. 'Made up your mind yet, old man?'
To that, Tony frowned briefly. 'I believe so,' he said nodding, then looking up at the young lady who made a note of his fish order. She turned her attention, to Harry inquiringly.
'Sir?'
'May I have the beef fondue please?' Harry asked politely, also ordering a nice bottle of wine to accompany the meal.
The young waitress nodded, writing it all down, then added, 'Certainly sir!' She turned tail towards the kitchen at the rear of the restaurant, now buzzing with low voices.
After the usual wait, which wasn't very long, the young waitress returned placing the adjoining table next to theirs, causing two raised eyebrows expressing surprise from both men.
'It's very necessary as you'll soon see,' came the reply with a charming knowing smile. Both men waited, wondering what was to happen, until the young lady returned with several sauces and delicious looking chunks of rustic bread, all laid out neatly with a small, strange-looking brass fishing net, which she placed in front of Harry's plate and the necessary cooking burner for the oil. It was beginning to look impressive. He looked down at the object with curiosity spread over his face.
Next came many strips of raw meat Harry was to cook himself to his own liking. They could see how the extra table was necessary, as the fondue and all the accompaniments alone took up most of the room. Tony only required a fraction of the space for his fish meal. Following this was the hot oil and the two friends toasted themselves, to missing friends and England. Harry hardly knew where to start, but began with a thin slice of beef, dipping it into the hot oil briefly, for he preferred his meat rare to medium. He tried each of the four sauces, carefully tasting before finding the one he preferred, dipping the next piece of meet into it after the oil. There was a beautifully prepared julienned salad to accompany his fondue.
'Oh my, this is good!' he exclaimed, after the third piece of meet had been eaten. The next bit wasn't so successful. It got lost, remaining in the oil. 'Oops! What now I wonder? That will be overdone for sure!'
Tony had been eyeing his friend with a certain amount of envy. 'No it won't, you dope! What do you think that is for, eh?' he laughed gently, indicating the brass fishing net.
'Ah! I should have realized that,' remarked Harry. 'Of course! What a great idea!' he mused, picking it up and starting to fish around in the oil for the lost beef.
Tony could only snigger.
I knew that all along. What else would it be for, huh?'
Poor Harry bit his bottom lip with remorse. 'Oh alright then. Perhaps I am a bit dim at times.'
The evening grew warmer again as rain-filled clouds rolled away to the east, the sun setting with a final glow of pinks and soft yellows reflecting upon the roadside and in smart shop windows. It enhanced the atmosphere which at times felt fresh and invigorating, the last of the sun's rays casting soft shadows through a local park and onto nearby two story shingled Swiss houses, leaving the two friends with a feeling of euphoria, belonging and enjoyment of their surroundings.
They donned jackets and clean shirts before making their way along one of the main thoroughfares, seeking out a suitable place to eat supper.
'How about a proper Swiss fondue?' Tony suggested.
Harry thought for a moment while they strolled. 'What! - a cheesy one do you mean?'
'There are several types of fondue you know - not only cheese ones, but meat and chocolate ones too. Image all that bubbling thick chocolate with all sorts of things to dip into it?' he suggested.
'No thanks! Much too sweet for me. But a meat one sounds interesting. I might try that. It's a very long time since I had a fondue. What about you?' Harry looked expectantly at his friend as they both remembered a long time ago, to the days when people had fondue dinner parties.
Tony agreed, but he was feeling more like sampling some fresh fish instead, as they spotted a suitable restaurant a little further on.
It was mutually agree upon and they found it contained a few spare tables as yet unoccupied. They were guided to a table for two along a wall, where most of the tables were placed side by side.
Soon they were approached by a young lady with a charming smile, dimple in both cheeks and sparkling eyes, to take their order, much to Tony's pleasure and delight.
'Are you ready to order gentleman?' she asked, in perfect English.
Harry glanced up from reading the menu. 'Made up your mind yet, old man?'
To that, Tony frowned briefly. 'I believe so,' he said nodding, then looking up at the young lady who made a note of his fish order. She turned her attention, to Harry inquiringly.
'Sir?'
'May I have the beef fondue please?' Harry asked politely, also ordering a nice bottle of wine to accompany the meal.
The young waitress nodded, writing it all down, then added, 'Certainly sir!' She turned tail towards the kitchen at the rear of the restaurant, now buzzing with low voices.
After the usual wait, which wasn't very long, the young waitress returned placing the adjoining table next to theirs, causing two raised eyebrows expressing surprise from both men.
'It's very necessary as you'll soon see,' came the reply with a charming knowing smile. Both men waited, wondering what was to happen, until the young lady returned with several sauces and delicious looking chunks of rustic bread, all laid out neatly with a small, strange-looking brass fishing net, which she placed in front of Harry's plate and the necessary cooking burner for the oil. It was beginning to look impressive. He looked down at the object with curiosity spread over his face.
Next came many strips of raw meat Harry was to cook himself to his own liking. They could see how the extra table was necessary, as the fondue and all the accompaniments alone took up most of the room. Tony only required a fraction of the space for his fish meal. Following this was the hot oil and the two friends toasted themselves, to missing friends and England. Harry hardly knew where to start, but began with a thin slice of beef, dipping it into the hot oil briefly, for he preferred his meat rare to medium. He tried each of the four sauces, carefully tasting before finding the one he preferred, dipping the next piece of meet into it after the oil. There was a beautifully prepared julienned salad to accompany his fondue.
'Oh my, this is good!' he exclaimed, after the third piece of meet had been eaten. The next bit wasn't so successful. It got lost, remaining in the oil. 'Oops! What now I wonder? That will be overdone for sure!'
Tony had been eyeing his friend with a certain amount of envy. 'No it won't, you dope! What do you think that is for, eh?' he laughed gently, indicating the brass fishing net.
'Ah! I should have realized that,' remarked Harry. 'Of course! What a great idea!' he mused, picking it up and starting to fish around in the oil for the lost beef.
Tony could only snigger.
I knew that all along. What else would it be for, huh?'
Poor Harry bit his bottom lip with remorse. 'Oh alright then. Perhaps I am a bit dim at times.'
'Not really old friend, but you do make me smile sometimes.' Tony tried not to laugh, his face distorting instead - until they noticed a younger couple, perhaps man and wife, shown to the next table on their other side. As he took another mouthful of the beautifully tender fish, Tony thought they looked familiar when the man turned to look at Harry.
'Aren't you the pair who were lost in the rain earlier today?'
Harry immediately remembered the helpful couple who had lead them out of a difficult situation when the tunnel was closed.
'Why yes, of course!' he replied, reaching over to shake their hands, smiling with pleasure. 'It was so helpful of you to show us that other direction. We appreciated it enormously. Thank you again.'
'Not at all. We noticed your English plates and realized your predicament,' the man answered. Although they spoke with a strong accent, their English was excellent.
They made their acquaintance, introducing themselves as Rena and Frederick, before Harry and Tony let them be for a while, in order to read the menu. After closing them, they settled back to await their meals, later enjoying some stimulating conversation with the English couple, chatting into the night about many different topics - from travelling to teaching, world politics to food, different Swiss beers, local food, the English weather and the arts. The Swiss couple were on a walking holiday, staying not far away. It appeared they had a lot in common and the four enjoyed the evening immensely, when Tony suggested he treat them all to a schnapps. After a second one and a different flavour, the atmosphere became even more relaxed, with conversations toing and froing from side to side, then diagonally across the tables, often ending in peals of laughter and merriment.
Until it was time to call a truce. Both couples rose to pay their respective bills and with shaking of hands and friendly gestures, the evening came to a reluctant close. They said their goodbyes with further helpful instructions for Harry, about continuing their vacation towards Lausanne, when it was time for them to move on to their next intended 'port of call'.
Walking back to their hotel with many topics still whirling around their light-headiness, the rain having ceased, air spiced with pine and freshly invigorating, Tony breathed its mountain aroma, taking it deep into his lungs. 'What a great night and in so many different ways!'
'And that fondue was one of the best I've ever tasted,' Harry replied, walking in step with his friend of many years back to the hotel.
'Aren't you the pair who were lost in the rain earlier today?'
Harry immediately remembered the helpful couple who had lead them out of a difficult situation when the tunnel was closed.
'Why yes, of course!' he replied, reaching over to shake their hands, smiling with pleasure. 'It was so helpful of you to show us that other direction. We appreciated it enormously. Thank you again.'
'Not at all. We noticed your English plates and realized your predicament,' the man answered. Although they spoke with a strong accent, their English was excellent.
They made their acquaintance, introducing themselves as Rena and Frederick, before Harry and Tony let them be for a while, in order to read the menu. After closing them, they settled back to await their meals, later enjoying some stimulating conversation with the English couple, chatting into the night about many different topics - from travelling to teaching, world politics to food, different Swiss beers, local food, the English weather and the arts. The Swiss couple were on a walking holiday, staying not far away. It appeared they had a lot in common and the four enjoyed the evening immensely, when Tony suggested he treat them all to a schnapps. After a second one and a different flavour, the atmosphere became even more relaxed, with conversations toing and froing from side to side, then diagonally across the tables, often ending in peals of laughter and merriment.
Until it was time to call a truce. Both couples rose to pay their respective bills and with shaking of hands and friendly gestures, the evening came to a reluctant close. They said their goodbyes with further helpful instructions for Harry, about continuing their vacation towards Lausanne, when it was time for them to move on to their next intended 'port of call'.
Walking back to their hotel with many topics still whirling around their light-headiness, the rain having ceased, air spiced with pine and freshly invigorating, Tony breathed its mountain aroma, taking it deep into his lungs. 'What a great night and in so many different ways!'
'And that fondue was one of the best I've ever tasted,' Harry replied, walking in step with his friend of many years back to the hotel.
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