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It’s been quite a week. Val has started her exercise programme at the gym down in Wilderswil, we had a barbecue on Thursday, and yesterday we spent pretty much all day doing paperwork, as it’s time to renew our residence permits. The weather has been consistently hot and sunny, as it seems to be over the whole of Europe at the moment.

Today therefore, we intend to take it easy. It’s a lovely afternoon for sitting by the swimming pool with a drink.

And, as a bonus, Beves and Ibe are playing on the terrace.

We’ll be seeing them again later at the Sunstar. Super afternoon.

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Colin and Steve, playing to a packed house in the Sunstar last night.

Today we had a day out shopping. Val got some very posh walking poles which magically fold up to go in her rucksack, and I got new hiking shoes to replace my worn-out old Salomons. We had lunch at the Three Tells pub in Matten, which has transformed itself from an Irish pub into a Spanish tapas bar. The food was delicious. We had a quiet night in this evening, and there was a super pink sky.

Val has now done 300 kilometres on her exercise bike, and her recovery is going well. Gym sessions start next week to begin building strength.

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A good night out in Rocks on Tuesday, just about everyone was there, and Colin provided the entertainment.

I have come to the end of my running programme. This is the 5th year I’ve completed this. It’s not an end in itself, but it is a very good way to get fit for a summer of running along the mountain trails.

Pizza at the Caprice later.

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I was up early this morning – it’s going to be very hot and I’m due a run. I noticed some newlyweds having photos taken in the meadow below us.

These photoshoots are very popular with some of the Asian guests. I set off for the station at Wengwald, and look who I bumped into.

Anyway, I had a good run down in the valley before the sun came over the mountain. We’re off up to Allmend for lunch. Allmend is 200 metres higher than Wengen, so it’s a little less hot.

Colin and Steve were playing. It’s their first gig together for more than a year.

A lovely afternoon. More music tonight with Uptown Lights.

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Today it’s this year’s first running of the Wengen Abendlauf. This translates as ‘evening run’. It’s a race around the paths of Wengen, and it’s a distance of almost 8 kilometres with lots of steep climbs. This is way beyond my capabilities at the moment, but I paused for a selfie under the starting banner.

In any case, I’ve already had my run today – a nice half-hour jog along the valley down in Lauterbrunnen. My training does have a purpose though, as Val and I are already signed-up for the Jungfrau mini-marathon at the beginning of September. Tonight we went to a super barbecue at James and Julie’s. Despite the unseasonably cold temperatures we had a great time.

The winner of the Abendlauf (Jerome Furer from Frutigen) completed the course in 29 minutes, which is insane. Even at full fitness it would take me double that time. Then again, I’m 63 years old, and Jerome is a youthful 25.

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Beves and Ibe at the Sunstar on Sunday night. Great show, and this will be a regular event this summer.

Our neighbours are having an extension built. Delivery of the building materials gets a bit noisy!

Val has had 2 appointments at the eye clinic in Interlaken this week. Very nice view from the waiting area, watching the steamers come and go.

We had a few beers in Rocks on the way back from Interlaken, and a gourmet dinner (fish & chips) from Santos.

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It’s a warm, sunny day, and I’m due a run. Val’s leg is good enough for her to accompany me for a hike in the valley. After yesterday’s rain, the waterfalls are pretty spectacular.

Weekends are always busy, and this one’s no exception. The train back up to Wengen was packed. When we arrived we bought ice creams from David and sat on the Hubel in the sunshine.

Pub later.