Herisau to Aemisegg

At major turning point of the so-called Corona Virus we returned to the Way. We had planned to walk at Easter, but it was not possible due to the confinement. Luckily, Sue just happened to phone out of curiosity, and found that some places to stay were open this weekend. We got up early and took the train at Gümligen at 06:03, our first train ride in three months! We took the train from Berne to Zürich, and from there to Gossau and on to Herisau. There, we started where we'd left off, at the excellent station bakery, for a coffee and delicious sticky bun. In January, we had arrived in Herisau in the fog, but this time we walked in warm spring weather. This didn't stop Angus losing the way in Herisau, and we had to walk some distance on a main road before climbing up the hillside and joining up sometime later on a wooded hillside. We crossed many fields which had just been mowed to collect in the hay: according to books we had read, these pose more of a problem for walkers when the grass is high as it makes it difficult to find the path! And of course, if the tall grass is wet, that would make the path much less pleasant! The views over the rolling pastureland were spectacular in all directions, and we arrived early at the pilgrim accommodation in a community of people over 50 in Aemisegg. The converted old farmhouse was well decorated with delightful corners set out with old furniture. We had a simple but tasty supper of cheese pie and salad, and retired for the night to the four bed dormitory that we had to ourselves. In the morning we had a hearty breakfast with ample coffee and set off down to St.Peterzell.