Lausanne then Rolle - 23 April 2024

23.04 - Pully - cycle into Lausanne - and Rolle

We’re increasingly thinking the police have it in for us! Yesterday, a police car followed us for ages, off the motorway, into St Maurice and even into the same carpark - and then he nonchalantly walked away! We didn’t think we’d done anything wrong - but you never know!

A police car drove past last night - were expecting to be questioned - but nothing. Then we saw a police-boat near the marina, then they saw us riding (maybe illegally? on the foot path) - luckily both looking at their phones, and when we returned to Dave, they were patrolling the carpark again. I’ve read so many comments on Park4night about people being moved on, or fined. Seems some cantons (Vaud where we are?) don’t allow people to sleep in vehicles. It’s quite hard, there aren’t any signs that prohibit us - where we are now - just says parking for 10 hours max. 

Once again, I’d done research and knew where I wanted to see today. Needed bikes out again. It has been cold and windy - but at least the sun has been out today - which has warmed Dave up nicely. 

The Marina was just behind us - saw a big colony of cormorants?

We did try cycling on the path by the lake, until a lady very politely told us it was for pedestrians only. Shame really, as we had to use the very busy road. 

First stop the pavilion, which was gifted from the Thai Government in 2006. I do find it quite strange, ‘places’ aren’t really signposted very well in Switzerland. Would have ridden by if not looking for it. 

Next up the Olympic museum - lots for me to take photos of - but didn’t go inside. 

The former fishing village of Ouchy is very pretty. Once again, much better on a warmer day!

Google maps said it would be a 21 minute bike ride up to the Cathédrale de Notre-Dame. It was certainly steep in places, and Google was having one of those days. It really shouldn’t have been as hard to find the enormous cathedral on the top of the hill - but when you zigzag around roads and through little ‘short cuts’ (thanks Google for an insight into some residential areas!) it takes a little longer. 

Anyway - huge cathedral - but having work done - so not looking it’s best. 

On a clear day, the views would be excellent down to the lake. 

The stained glass of the rose window was built around 1240. It was quite busy inside - lots of school children - looking for the next ‘thing’ to find. 

From there, our one job on the way back to Dave was to find a supermarket selling fresh milk. We failed! We did stop at a garage, they had UHT, and a friendly man ‘phoned a friend’ who spoke English to tell me I had to go to a supermarket! Worth a try!

Avocado salad for lunch - then the policeman went by again - time to leave!

Tintin wanted to drive again today - only 30 minutes along the lake. 

The places at Rolle looked great in Park4nignt - the reality was yet again - fairly small parking spaces - but we did find space amongst the boats out of the water. Well - we are a K-yacht!

Tintin wanted to take apart ‘stuff’ to do with cleaning the gas nozzle for the fridge/freezer. I walked back up to a different garage, resigned to buy UHT - but no - just a self service machine for ready meals!

Decided I’d walk to the nearest Co-op - only about 10 minutes in the end - success - bought a few more bits and pieces. Never have I dithered so much about buying food - but we have expensive raspberries to go with the blueberries! Grapes are well priced. 

So - now I’ve dumped the rest of the food from the freezer - well it wasn’t frozen anymore - seems like Tintin may have had success - temperature was down to -10°. Shame he’s already ordered parts for when we get home! Update - now -13°!

I’ve spent time wrestling with changing the bedding - will be lovely to have ironed sheets again tonight 😊

We’re still trying to decide about going into Geneva - there don’t seem to be many places we’ll be able to park and ride in - found one - if it’s too busy - don’t have a plan b at the moment!

Its lovely to be sat at gone 6pm - and Dave is still warm! The weather is looking more promising in the next few days - just above 5/6° would be good. Having said that - we are still getting windburnt! 

About 8 miles cycling, but only about 7,500 steps today.