Bern - SWITZERLAND

THURSDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 1999

A white-out welcomed me to the world of Europe this morning, every bit as beautiful as before. After lingering over an enjoyable late breakfast and the morning chores we retired to the lounge to hide from -14 outside. In the warmth of Frank's apartment I spent a whole day catching up on this diary, whilst Dave read about the wonders of the Middle East, marking out a game plan.

For many hours I listened to Pink Floyd favourites and INXS, which was all quite inspiring as we watched the soft flakes fall outside. Lunch was a feast of ham, cheese and avocado on baguettes and copious amounts of Milka chocolate got us through the afternoon. Its been so long since we spent a day at home.

When Frank returned from University (he's a Climatologist doing a PhD) in one hand was a chocolate cake and in the other gourmet delights for dinner. Whilst I tapped away on the laptop Frank diligently cooked up a storm. It was a chicken dish on a bed of rice where the east meets Provence and it was so good that I was caught licking the remnants from the pan!! We even enjoyed some honey based German beer and a bottle of Aussie Shiraz that almost brought a tear to the eye. The chocolate cake was a sweet-tooths delight, although poor Cathy returned home to find that not a piece was left.

Again it was nice to sit round a table, like you do at a dinner party and talk until the early morning hours click in.