- VISITS/HOLIDAYS
School Trip to Switzerland
July 31st was a memorable day for fifty-six members of Greenhill Grammar School. We were on our way to Switzerland. I think that we can spare you the details of the journey to Folkestone, since it will be familiar to most people. The customs people were not quite as willing to search us going as they were on our return journey. After a smooth crossing we arrived at Boulogne. Another speedy trip through the customs and then we boarded a train for Basel. We travelled across darkened France and our arrival at Basel was welcome to all the party. Here, some of us encountered the continental breakfast, in the station buffet, for the first time.
At approximately 10-0 a.m. we boarded the Milan through-train which stopped, en route, at Lucerne. We were enthralled all this time by the beautiful scenery around us. We climbed wearily from the train at Lugano to be met by two Post buses. In these we were speedily conveyed to Casa Coray. Herr Coray met us at the entrance and assured us that within a few minutes he would show us "youra beautifulla rooma." A quick wash was needed before dinner and the rest of the evening was ours.
The next morning some of the hardier members of our party dragged themselves from their non-resilient beds to take a dip in an ice-cold Lago Lugano. Swimming took up most of our free time.
On Saturday a trip was made to the Rhone glacier in two of the latest P.T.T. coaches. These were equipped with excellent brakes, which do come in handy, and luxurious seats. The route taken was via Bellinzona and over the San Gottardo Pass, with a half-hour halt at the summit.
On the way to the top the whole party was inspired by the breath-taking views obtained from the tortuous roads. Onwards from San Gottardo we observed roadwork in progress, the results of last winter's snow. We proceeded over the Furka Pass with a halt at the summit where we obtained light refreshments. From here we descended a short way to the Rhone glacier. An hour's rest was taken here whilst the whole of the party took advantage of the privilege of entering the glacier. Several of the more daring members of the party, including Mr. Cox, ventured on to the glacier. This ended in a spirited descent. Anthony Kerr found it convenient to disappear into a six-foot crevasse.