Quick bike ride and a paddle for Sacha. My neighbour, Jean, made me an excellent cup of coffee from his special coffee maker. Packed up the van with difficulty because of my sore shoulder. Paid 21 Swiss Francs about £15 and drove to Bern. Negotiating the city was complicated and i haddifficulty parking in full car park. Drove on to further from the centre to park at spaces in the road. However the meter wouldn't accept my card so had to run to a shop to buy something to pay in euros and get change in francs. Then I went to put in money for 2 hours but it would only accept 1 hour although the big board said up to 3 hours.
I ran into the old town but it was lunchtime and it was packed with people walking slowly. The temperature was 33•. There were major roadworks taking place which didn't help. So I didn't really appreciate the sights like the clock tower, the cathedral and the parliament buildings. Managed to miss the ogre fountain and the bear pit.
Pleased to get on the road again but I missed a turning and ended up going through theLotschberg tunnel loaded on an openside train which I wanted to avoid. It cost about £25 and really I would rather drive over the mountains. It took about 20 minutes and Sacha shook all the way.
As the sat nav is set on scenic route it took me up the hills through vine terraces to Sierre. The campsite there had been recommended. It was nicely secluded in terraces in woods. Not cheap as the sleazy character at reception insisted that it is high season as from today! I am also concerned that when I went to pay the machine showed my PIN number. I immediately cancelled the transaction and we did it again correctly. Still worried but can't do anything as no Internet here or signal.
Tomorrow I hope to reach Verbania on Lake Maggiore.