Today was the day of the big 95th birthday party for Frank (and the first birthday party for Miro - Frank’s great grandson). We started by driving to Thun, where we met nearly everyone alongside Stadt Thun, the boat on which we would cruise to the party site at NeuHaus at the eastern end of Lake Thun. The Tschäggätä mask on the bow of the boat is symbolic of this region.

As we left Thun, we saw a nice example of the type of chateau that are dotted along the lake shore.

Lake Thun is a mecca for sailboats, and we saw plenty along the way, including this group who were undertaking a sailing class.

It was a double birthday party, and Miro (son of Johanna and Paolo) enjoyed opening his presents. Rita played a little bit of pan during the cruise, much to the fascination of Ketia (Lothar’s youngest) and the amusement of the other travellers on the trip.

Lothar’s two oldest (David and Janik) struck accidental poses for the camera. Much different to when I met them for the first time 17 years ago, and all they wanted to do was climb all over the newest boyfriend for Rita!

The boat trip took us to the town of NeuHaus at the eastern end of Lake Thun. The hotel at which the party was happening was located right on the water, as seen by this picture from the entrance door.

After a relaxed lunch, Frank made a birthday speech in which he reminisced over the world travels he had done in the past 10 years, which he started as an 85 year old youngster. His speech made an impact on the younger grandkids, since we heard one 20something  say afterwards that he was inspired by Frank’s adventures, and now wanted to come to Australia next year!

After more eating and drinking and chatting, the party wound to a close, and we made our way back to Thun by boat, with various parties taking their leave at a number of stops on the way back (accompanied by much waving and a few tears). We then drove back to Bern, with Frank and Chanthea as passengers.

In the evening, Rita and I walked up the Aare as far as the Zoo (Tierpark), had a quick beer at the restaurant there, and then walked back in the gathering dark. As we got nearer to central Bern, the floodlit Parliament building (Bundesrat) stood out in the darkness.