6. Sep, 2022

6. Sep, 2022

TUESDAY 06-09-22

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all trust weather forecasts? Today's cunning plan was to catch a train up to Wengen (1274m) and then a cable car up to Mannlichen (2227m) where we'd enjoy a walk around up there and a packed lunch. However, having consulted three different weather forecast websites we had three different forecasts. Heavy rain and thunderstorms were due at either 13:00, 16:00, or 22:00, which is quite a big difference. We plumped for worst case scenario, which meant if it was 13:00 we'd be caught out whilst up there, either that or we'd have to do it all in a rush whilst clock watching, and given what the train and cable car fares would have cost it just wasn't worth it.

So today I'm afraid has been a day of rest, though we did go for a wander down the valley and back before setting about some chores including hand washing. This resulted in us keeping a watchful eye on the sky just in case we did get heavy rain, but here we are at 17:30 and we've not had a drop of rain, though we have had quite a bit of cloud this afternoon. This is so annoying as we could have just cracked on and done what we'd planned. Having consulted weather forecasts tomorrow, it's due to stay dry until 18:00, so we're going whatever happens.

After chores and lunch I crossed the river and went for a walk to the nearby heliport to take a few photographs of the three helicopters there, two for pleasure flights and an air ambulance. I was tempted to pop in to their office to enquire how much a flight would be, but thought better of it - the train fares are bad enough, but I bet the aerial views from a helicopter are amazing.

On the way back from the heliport a number of cows had just been herded in to a nearby field. I was amazed to see something on their heads, I took a few pictures but had to take a deep breath before pressing the shutter button as they were quite a way off. To my amazement they came, out and it looks as if the cows are wearing miniature Christmas trees which have been decorated, though I'm sure there is another explanation.

Although a number of campers left the site this morning, presumably because the weather is now turning rather unsettled, and this is one location where you really do need decent weather though there are still plenty of tourists and hikers about.

I'll rename this chapter' Lauterbrunnen 1' as it's getting quite large and will be a hassle to navigate right back to the begining, and tomorrow we'll start with 'Lauterbrunnen 2'.

5. Sep, 2022

5. Sep, 2022

5. Sep, 2022