From the Soham Grammarian Summer 1955
Easter this year was spent by a School party in the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Oberland. Mr. Lawrance and Mr. Kitchen, accompanied by Miss Lawrance and Mrs. Kitchen, were responsible for a most efficiently organised holiday. The first stage of the journey was made by coach to Victoria where, during an hour's wait, "Lobby's" shoes received their brightest shine ever at the hands of a "Cherry Blossom" shoeshine boy. After travelling by train to Folkestone we had a calm crossing aboard "Côte d'Azur". The overnight train journey to Basle was very tiring, especially for the unfortunates burdened with "Jack", who was in a perpetual fit. We then sped to Interlaken via Berne, and caught our first glimpse of massive snow-capped mountains.
At last we reached our destination, Lauterbrunnen, the village in a mountain valley leading down from the glittering peaks of the Jungfrau group. We could see the waterfall after which the village is named noisily cascading down a mountain slope in the background but our only thought for half an hour was for our stomachs. After these were fully satisfied we were left free to acquaint ourselves with the village and its surroundings.
A group of the more adventurous spirits decided to ascend higher into the mountains, but, having reached Wengen (4,180 ft.) Guiver exclaimed exhaustedly that he was in dire need of refreshment. The downward journey of Apfelsaft, ordered in German by Cropley (fortunately the waiter knew English), was as rapid as that of ourselves as the hour for dinner drew near. No trouble arose in sending thirty weary schoolboys to bed immediately after dinner.
The next morning a clear sky and bright sunshine prophesied an excursion to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. Well prepared for cold weather on the summit we set off and soon left Lauterbrunnen far below in the valley. At Eigergletscher, camera clicking ceased when the train entered a tunnel to climb the remaining 4,000 ft. Having arrived at the top, we first visited the Ice-Palace, a remarkable skating rink with pillars and roof of ice. The view from Jungfraujoch, down a huge glacier to the south and north-west as far as the Vosges and Black Forest, and the very sensation of being nearly "on top of the world" were alike breath-taking and unforgettable. Having eaten our lunch in the hotel and purchased souvenirs, we, rather despondently, filed into a downward-bound train. At Kleine Scheidegg an hour's wait was enjoyably spent tobogganing. The most spectacular run was made by Mrs. Kitchen who, halfway down the slope, decided that her vehicle was far too slow. Consequently she proceeded to the bottom without it.
In the evening we had a pleasant surprise when the local Yodelling Club visited us. Dressed in colourful national costume they gave an excellent programme of typical Swiss songs and music. Our visitors were extremely delighted when we replied with extracts from "Yeomen of the Guard".
Proof that England is not the only country which has changeable weather was provided on Thursday when rain torrented down the whole day. This, however, did not dampen our spirits and we set out to make the best of a rainy day in Lucerne. The journey was made by coach via Bruenig pass, where the road seemed to zig-zag upwards endlessly, but because of the weather we could not fully appreciate the beautiful scenery with its vivid green pastures, peaceful villages on the shores of sparkling lakes, dark pine forests and lofty snow-peaked mountains.
Lucerne is a town of exquisite beauty and great interest mainly because of its abundance of fine buildings of varying architectural design. The Lion monument, sculptured in 1820 in memory of the Swiss guards who defended Louis XVI in the Tuileries is also a feature of attraction in Lucerne.
After lunch we split up into groups and many of us took the opportunity to buy presents in the town's excellent shopping centre. The Sixth Form contingent naturally had to lose themselves but during their roamings they met a dark, curly-headed fellow in a "blue gab." windcheater (guess who ?) who put them on the right road.
Good Friday, for us, was a most energetic day. We began by walking to the village with the delicious name Zweiluetschinen and then taking a train to Grindelwald. From here we boldly set out on a fine mountain walk in deep snow to Grindelwald glacier. Considerable amusement was caused by Mr. Lawrance who nearly performed a disappearing act down a pothole. After this mishap (?) great care was taken to avoid several treacherous obstacles. The glacier itself was considered too dangerous to climb, much to the disappointment of Sherpa Saul and Hillary Human. We arrived back at the hotel with little time to spare before dinner - indeed, so little that two notable sixth-formers arrived in the dining room blood-stained after hurried shaves.
On Saturday we visited Blausee and Kandersteg. The former, a beautiful blue lake picturesquely set in a small wood, is alive with trout of all sizes. We managed to restrain ourselves from tickling, mainly on account of the guards - huge Alsatian dogs. Arriving at Kandersteg (rechristened "Candlestick") the party split into two groups, one travelling by chair lift to Oeschinensee and the other to Krinde by cable car. Here a miniature Waterloo was staged against some French boys - ammunition being snowballsl Back in Kandersteg "Twink " was deeply embarrassed when, on remarking about the beauty of a female passer-by, he received an unexpected "I'm English!" After dinner some went on a quiet evening stroll while others remained in the hotel to play table tennis and billiards.
On Easter Sunday morning we were awakened by the ringing of the Church bells and later on several boys, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen, went to morning service. The remainder walked to Truemmelbach falls, probably the most famous waterfall in the Alps.The afternoon was spent at Muerren, skiing resort 3,000 ft. above Lauterbrunnen. Most of us were content to watch the skiers embarking on the ski-lift, but Mr. Lawrance was soon to be seen scrambling up the slope. Where he went to is anybody's guess. Graves and Harper managed to procure two toboggans and, after several rough rides, returned to the hotel soaking wet.
Monday was another day of continual rain and the morning was spent indoors. Several took this opportunity to visit the "Gasthof Schuetzen", some to play table soccer and others to practise their French with Elsie, a young friend of ours. Mr. Riley should expect good oral results from Messrs. South, Saul and Everitt whose vocabulary became considerably wider. In the afternoon we went to Interlaken and invaded the shops in search of final bargains. Many interesting purchases were made, including a medley of melodious musical boxes.
Early Tuesday morning Mr. Kitchen plus rucksack left for Wengen after sending Mrs. Kitchen and the rest of us packing. The afternoon was spent bidding farewell to our many friends, and after an early dinner we said goodbye to our hosts and left for home.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning Rush was awakened by shouts of " Oh! Rush, lad ! You know where we are now, don't you ? - Alsace-Lorraine." Rush just ignored the excited voice and settled down for more sleep. At 8.30 a.m. Mr. Lawrance and Cropley could be seen scurrying down the corridor in search of the restaurant car. Their search terminated in a very expensive breakfast.
The remainder of the journey was uneventful but the excitement of the past ten days was more than enough to see us home in high spirits after a really wonderful holiday.
C.F.C.
source: Neil Holmes
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Last updated 15 Nov 2008