Rained all night but we set off for Vaduz, capital of Liechtenstein, in sunshine. Rained on and off most of the day, in between brilliant sunshine. Like being in a fairyland state!

Buses are free today - National Day . Arrived in town, as they were setting up for the day. Streets closed and food stalls everywhere, starting to cook for this afternoon.

Walked up to the castle, on a cliff overlooking town. The grounds are only open to the public one day a year - today! Lots of folk in beautiful national dress and flags everywhere. Bands playing in the grounds, then the parade of the band, scouts, the parliamentarians and the whole Royal Family down to the speech area. Prince Hans-Adam II, his wife, four adult children and numerous grandchildren. Great national spirit - men in suits with ties, badges, insignia, sashes, and ladies in beautiful dresses with stiff black head-dresses. Also obviously well off citizens.

Speeches by the heir, Prince Alois, and the Prime Minister. Then more music, including what we assumed to be the national anthem, played to the tune of God Save The Queen!
Speeches over, it was free beer, water or soft drink, pretzels and ham or cheese bread rolls . Made our way up to the Rose Garden of the castle, where the royals and MPs were mingling as the locals ate and drank more of the same, and the band played, in the sunshine. Really felt like a royal garden party. John got chatting to the Prime Minister and shook his hand, but we missed out on greeting the Prince! Great atmosphere.

Finally wandered down to town again, and looked at the Liechtenstein Art Gallery, also free today. Exhibition of photos and modern sculpture that moved neither of us. Lots of glitzy souvenir shops, oddly selling Swiss T Shirts!

Then coffee and headed back to camp by bus. The street party was set to continue until fireworks at 10. Maybe we will hear them, if not see them.

The fireworks started at 10, about 6 km away, but the 20 minutes of ECHOs off the surrounding mountains, in that we were in a valley surrounded by mountains, was an new experience!