We are travelling a reasonable distance today in a relatively short time span, in these parts the train can often be at I think I can, I think I can pace. One needs to be a little pushy during these transit periods because if you don't you will be pushed around yourself so you learn to give as good as one gets. Our regional train from Zermatt is full of Japanese and they, with their full backpacks and giant size roller suitcases do push and test your mettle.

We need to swap trains four times today, some with very little wriggle room . Our dear friends seem to be following us as well. We go Zermatt to Brig then change, Brig to Bern then change, the roller derby people go in another direction thank goodness, Bern to Basel then we missed our connection, the Don has never been so pleased as he had left over Swiss francs thus waiting time being spent buying Swiss chocolate.

The difference between all things Swiss and our new hosts the french easily seen here as the train station has both sections. We enter France for the first time as this Aussie tour party and take the train to our final destination - Strasbourg.

All things that we have and hold were tested on arrival as it took some chasing the pavements for nigh on two hours to just find a room, this is the least fun of our activities, but sure builts a thirst. We settle in and also settle the nerves. We have decided to stay two nights which also gives us a little more time to both explore the city and plan our last leg prior to our grande entrance into gay Parie .

Our days are, you blink and it is 8.00 pm so head off to the area called Petite France, it is the central area of the city surrounded by canals. This area in parts date back to the 1400's with the central structure being an ABC. The Notre Dame is a real icon of the city with such ornate decorations, no wonder it that's them forever way back when to build the things. We wander, tell the girls to join the queue for tucker as the place is jumpin. The lads say we are just going to check things out a little more but the first place that serves Pieras we settle in and on. Make it back in time to when the girls are ordering. We feel much better now, they drink by the half litre so two in 20 miniatures does indeed settle the nerves.

Our establishment of choice is situated right on one of e city canals, people re everywhere, dinner is generally taken around 8.30 pm to 10.00 pm. It does not get dark until 10.00 pm in these parts. Light around 5.30 am. Our special treat tonight is Alsace white wine, we had a Pinot Gris which was just sensational. These wines are so strictly controlled in relation the growing factors, when able to pick and what really does go into then bottle. They seem so pure and not sure if we are conditioned but we enjoy for what it is and not the fact that it is alcohol. Still on track for a grog every day for the entire trip, but so is everyone else! As I have said before wine / beer is just seen as an inclusion not an addition to ones daily supplements. Please keep the scales hidden if we return.

Now that we have settled in we are warming to a bit of the old strass.