To the Top of the Jungfrau

Had to say goodbye to Grandma, Grandpa, Bettina and Andrei this morning, which was hard, especially as the weather had picked up and there were lovely blue skies all around. Perfect day for our train journey to the top of the Jungfrau - the highest mountain railway in Europe.

Took the bus to Interlaken, then a couple of trains before stopping for a drink and convincing the gang to walk a stretch along the Eiger up to the next station. Only a 50min walk. Yeah, right!

Took us 50mins to get to this beautiful lake, created in memory of those who lost their lives trying to conquer the North Face of the Eiger, and it was only about half way. Refreshing place for a rest though and there were even benches in the shallow parts where you could sit with your feet in the icy cold bubbling (electronically) water looking up at the three massive peaks.

Another hour later and I thought I was going to die on the final climb. Don't know how Doug made it with his bad back, but he and Joe kept up a steady pace and made it to the restaurant first. Obviously I had to keep stopping for photos, and Heidi needed some gentle persuasion towards the end, but with Chloe to carry the backpack and pull(!) we made it! Had a lovely late lunch with masses of pommes frites and then got the final cog-train to the top.

So glad we did it. Made even more special by it being 2012, 200 years after the railway opened. It really is quite amazing. Having um'ed and ah'ed for ages because of the cost, I'd do it again! Childhood dream - check!