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.
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