Bern

We have now been home for a week and I'm starting to get myself together. That includes trying to sort out the photos and collect them from everyone who took them. Today I thought I'd post some pictures of Bern ( it can also be spelt Berne). 

We visited Bern on Wednesday 28th August, travelling by train. Swiss trains are great, they run to time and they believe that if you have paid for a ticket you should have a seat. As there was 14 of us travelling they reserved seats for us.

We decided to visit the bears first. the walk from the train station took us down cobbled streets, past fountains and beautiful old buildings.

This square was in front of the cathedral and we stopped to take photos. I loved the patterns the cobbles created. 

When we arrived at the bears they were a little restive but we found out this was because the keepers were putting their food around their enclosure. They were eager to be out and hunting their food.

This one made short work of a couple of chickens.

Just out of shot at the bottom of this picture there is a large pond that runs the length of the enclosure.

The enclosure was almost down to the river. Here there was a walkway  so you could see the bears whilst they swam. We sat by the river to eat our lunch. Across the river from us was this really cute and tiny house.

After lunch we walked back to the Cathedral admiring the frieze on the wall of this building.

Hannah and Emily admired this carved boat in one of the shop windows. You can see the reflection of their scarves in the glass.

The cathedral was closed when we got back to it so we decided to split into small groups and visit the shops. The girls all went off in one group.  I took some more pictures of the buildings.

and the shop signs,

and the little alleyways.

You've probably spotted how clean and neat everything is.

Before we met up with the girls again we went back to the Cathedral. They had been holding a police ceremony there. We think it was their passing out parade and as luck would have it the ceremony finished as we arrived there. So we were able to have a quick look round.

This is the main entrance to the Cathedral and here are pictures of the central doorway.

Lucy took some photos in the Cathedral but I haven't downloaded them yet.The police paraded to the town hall after leaving the Cathedral.

Just under the eaves are shields from the area.

There was just time to snap some of the fountains as we made our way back to meet the girls for the train journey back to Kandersteg.

I will post some more pictures soon to show you how high the girls hiked to get to the cheesery.

Owl