So we drove back to Bern. In the convoy there were 9 of us: Mike & Sandra, Levi & Sarah, Pat & Jill, Thomas, Dom and last but not least me. First we saw the bear pits, which are just what they sound like. Two pits with big bears in them. Then we walked for quite a way, past the youth hostel and through the free swimming pool/park. We left our stuff in the sun in a crowded area and started walking upstream. There were literally hundreds of others doing the same. They covered all ages ranges, just so long as they were fit enough to swim in a very strong current. Mostly they seemed to be young fit Swiss nationals intent on throwing themselves into the River Aare and wafting down stream. We joined them in the march to the launch bay and soon we too were flowing back towards the pools at about 2-3 meters per second which is a vary strong current to swim against. I had real trouble staying afloat. Perhaps my legs were tired from all that walking, or perhaps I had too much for breakfast, either way I was sinking like a stone and using up a lot of energy just staying above the water line. I was the first to join the local show offs by jumping off the bridge. But on the second run (which I stayed out of because I really lacked the energy to do another straight away) everyone else made the leap.

   After that we sat in the glorious sunshine for a while, and I was able to have a look around. From this brief, and discrete, scouting of the crowd, I can certainly recommend the place to any would be travelers. Being only 300m from the hostel I can see it being the place to hang out in summer, just watching the veritable bikini-fest walk by. Peter (both of you) you simply have to come here.

   We had one more run, and one more jump off the bridge and when I finally managed to drag myself out of the water and stagger back to our spot, we all needed food. We ate, we talked, it was a really nice evening. Capped off by the five of us (M&S, L&S and I) having ice cream in the town square. I hope to have many more moments like this along the way, but doubt it will be as cool as a town square in Switzerland with friends both old and new. I see it is now just past midnight, and we have a day of sailing planned for tomorrow so I had better be signing off. talk to you later.

Friends getting swept along in the River Aare

The River Aare in the evening