The next morning we got up and got ready as usual without realising the surprise that Lucerne had in store for us. Mum or Dad asked Hamish to open the curtains of our room. He yelled, “It’s snow – come here”. We all rushed towards the window cramming ourselves on to the small balcony.
The world had been covered by a white blanket. Sounds were muffled and snowflakes continued to rain down. We thought the ducks and swans in Lake Lucerne must have been cold but they went about their business as usual. This was snow like we’d never seen it before. Thick on the ground, on the tops of buildings and even on the Santa trying to climb into our room.
We could not wait to make sure that Alastair and Isla had seen the snow too – we found out that they did see it from their room also. We finished getting ready and headed out into the snow to find a good place for breakfast, umbrellas at the ready.
We found somewhere to go and although the breakfast filled us up it wasn’t the best. We had to head off to the laundromat next (I thought the name Jetwasch was really cool). On the way, we marvelled at all the everyday items that looked so different when covered in snow.
Being kids we were eager to have a snow fight. The grown-ups wanted to temper this desire because they were worried about us getting too wet and cold this early in the day (really they were just being overbearing and immensely mean). We came across a blue park bench perfectly covered in snow and the parents said “Go!”. We had a quick snowball fight while the parents took photos and video and then continued the journey to the laundromat.
Heading back towards town we started our search for a Cuckoo Clock for Isla, an awesome Swiss watch for Dad and Swiss Army Knives for Hamish and I. We went into one shop first called Harry’s – this was actually several different stores. We did not find exactly what we needed so we headed off to the Victorinox store.
I was nervous! Although I really wanted a pocket knife I was worried about spending the money (I’m saving for Harry Potter World and Disneyworld) and so I kept changing my mind. Nerves were ever-present as I stared at all of the knives with their various tools and blades.
In the meanwhile Dad had decided on buying a watch but couldn’t decide on a colour for the watch face. “Black or Gray?”, he asked me. My answer was easy – black – it looked much more sophisticated. I think my Dad looks intimidating and I tell him this all the time. I reckon that his new watch makes him look even more intimidating. (He is not really that scary, he has a kind heart and I love him to the moon and back).
Back to the search for a knife. Hamish had picked his knife and was already getting it engraved but I was still deliberating. I had finally made a decision to buy a knife, but now – which one?
A small knife that didn’t lock or a bigger knife that would lock which I could use for Army Cadets. Wait – the price difference was significant! Mum and Dad convinced me that the bigger knife was the best choice and they would help me out if I ran short of money later.
In the end the Ingrams and Campbells spent nearly 2 hours in the shop, browsing, buying and checking out all the other products in the store.
We emerged from the store with purchases in hand ready to find some food. We had lunch at a nice restaurant. I had tomato soup – it was nice but not as nice as the tomato soup at the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam.
After lunch we spent some more time looking around town. Aunty Sally bought some new shoes, Dad nearly bought another fountain pen and we visited the Lion Monument.
We then headed back towards the hotel before splitting up. A group had to go back to Jetwasch to pick up the laundry and the other group consisting of Uncle Pete and the kids (except me!) went back to Pickwicks for drinks, laughter and card games.
Our group hiked back across the bridge admiring its picturesque scenery. Twenty minutes later we had washing and cinnamon rolls in tow, ready to visit the Christmas market that Aunty Sally and Mum had spotted with their Christmas market radar earlier that day.
The gleeful chatter of people celebrating Christmas over glasses of hot wine. The unpleasant smell filled my nostrils, I wrinkled my nose, I really despised the smell. Purchases bought including a gorgeous pair of candle holders with intricate details for Christmas.
Fairy lights twinkled over our heads and with the looming darkness surrounding us, I appreciated their light. Pickwicks was soon in sight. The others had had fun, many hilarious messages had been passed between us. Including the fact that Alastair had been levitating people in the pub by using Wingardium Leviosa and that Hamish didn’t handle his alcohol very well. We were joking of course but it was still enjoyable.
After dinner at the cheese fondue place next door, the complaints of fatigued children filled the muffled air, clearly we needed an early night.
Shortly I was tucked up in bed, tiredness overwhelming me, thoughts of the day brought a smile to my face. I still couldn’t believe we were here.