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It’s a nice day, mild and bright. Val is headed up to Männlichen with Rachel. Bob didn’t have any work today, so he went along too. Great panoramic views at the very top.

The problem, as you can see in the next picture, is that a fog bank is stubbornly hanging around just below the summit.

So it was a bit gloomy, and the snow soon softened in mild temperatures. Later on they bumped into Rich, who is here for a couple of weeks.

A short skiing day, but still worth the effort of going up as there were so few people around.

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It’s spring, and that means it’s time for the Pool race. It’s the same format as ever – ski as fast as you can down the hill and try to cross 30 metres of icy water. If you succeed you progress to the next round. The starting point gets lower with each round, so crossing the pool gets more difficult. Fancy dress is encouraged.

There are hundreds of people here, and the competition will take all afternoon.

Dinner at the Eiger later.

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Val had another day out with Lesley. Great views of the Eiger and Mönch from the Lauberhorn, despite the high cloud.

After testing every ski she could get her hands on, Val has bought a new pair. You don’t get a choice of colour when you buy skis, but everyone seems to be wearing green this season so I guess that’s a fashionable shade at the moment.

I was at the doctors this morning for a checkup. Doctor Katy seems happy with my progress, though she keeps telling me that I’ll have to be patient while everything heals. I got a new supply of painkillers, which, I must say, work very well.

It’s Saint Patrick’s day today, and normally we’d be looking forward to a huge party in Rocks. Unfortunately with my ribs being so delicate I think we’ll give it a miss – there’s always tomorrow.

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Val had German this morning, and I popped up to the village for supplies. We bumped into Dave and Lesley at the Alpine Hotel last night, and Val & Lesley arranged to go for a ski this afternoon. Very sunny afternoon up at Scheidegg.

That gave me all afternoon to peel potatoes for our fish & chips dinner, and later we’ll be off to Rocks.

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Doctor Katy says my ribs will take 6 weeks to heal, and that I should avoid doing anything that might give them another whack. That’s skiing out then. It’s a very mild day, so a walk along the river shouldn’t be too hazardous. The English garden.

Unterseen is the oldest part of Interlaken (I believe). No high rise buildings here.

We spotted some dinosaurs on the other side of the river. This new attraction is obviously a ‘work in progress’, but you can get the general idea.

On the way back to the station we visited 2 chocolate shops and bought heaps of stuff. Our best discovery however, was a new Spanish restaurant hidden away behind all the shops and hotels on the main street. We had a chat with the owner and we’ll certainly be giving it a try soon.

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We had a good night out planned yesterday evening; a beer in Rocks, dinner at the Caprice, then music with Colin and Nev at the Alpine Hotel. Then we had a power cut.

Years ago we used to get power cuts all the time, but this is the first one I can remember in recent times. It wasn’t just Wengen either – the whole valley was in darkness. The power returned after just over an hour, and our evening progressed as planned.

Hayley is leaving us today, but her flight doesn’t leave Geneva until quite late this evening so we went down to the Brasserie in Interlaken for lunch before she caught the train.

Thanks for coming Hayles, it was lovely to see you as always.

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Good dinner at the Silberhorn last night.

When Hayley comes to visit I get to enjoy a fondue – Val doesn’t really do cheese.

The weather forecast for today was pretty awful, but in the end it wasn’t too bad. Val and Hayley went for a ski, and enjoyed lunch by the fire at the Hotel Jungfrau at Wengernalp.

Pizza at the Caprice tonight, followed by Colin and Nev playing at the Alpine hotel.