The weather keeps getting hotter, and this brings with it a risk of afternoon thunderstorms. James and Julie hosted a barbecue yesterday evening. We knew it would probably rain, but we decided to go ahead anyway. Sure enough we had a very big, very noisy storm. Fortunately, James had almost finished the cooking by then, so we still had a very nice evening.
I had my final checkup at the eye clinic this morning. It’s a beautiful day, so we walk 100 yards from the clinic to the steamer quay. Pulling out onto the lake.
We’ve had some warm days recently, but today it’s actually hot, even out on the water.
The steamer calls at the villages along the lake shore. It’s very popular.
Our destination is in sight. It’s the village of Iseltwald.
We hop off the steamer and it pulls out.
Iseltwald found world wide fame as a result of a scene in the hugely popular Korean drama ‘Crash Landing On You’. A famous piano scene was filmed here.
As a result of this, tourists queue to get selfies on the jetty where the scene was filmed.
Despite its new found popularity, Iseltwald remains a relaxed and very pretty lakeside village.
We had intended to get lunch here, but it’s still low season and there wasn’t much open. We headed back to Lauterbrunnen for a very late lunch, and followed this up with a few beers in Rocks with James, Claire and Julie who have returned from the Caribbean today, and Emily, who’s just back from the U.K.
We’ve had a pretty awful run of weather over the past week or so, and on the odd occasions we’ve been out, we’ve been grateful to be able to use the taxi to keep us out of the rain.
Val’s leg is much improved, and she can now walk short distances indoors without her crutches. This means that she can do things like carrying a coffee cup from the kitchen, something that was previously impossible.
Wengen is very quiet. Colin and Emily are in the U.K. and other friends and acquaintances are variously to be found in South Africa and the Caribbean. Most will be back at work next week though, so a little life should begin to return to the village in the next few days.
Yesterday we did a big shop in Interlaken, as our Co-op is still closed. Amongst other things I bought steaks and all the trimmings, and spent the afternoon preparing a nice meal. Ali came round to join us.
Today the weather was a little better, though there were still frequent showers. The forecast looks good though, so we may be able to wear some summer clothes in a few days time.
We got all sorts of weather yesterday. Rain, hail, thunder, wind and a tiny bit of sunshine. Dramatic skies over the village, while the mountains to the south are in sunshine.
This morning we need to go shopping. The Co-op is closing for 2 weeks for refurbishment, so we’d better stock up with whatever we can. There wasn’t much left when we got there.
What they did have though, was my favourite beer, at half price. Result! I bought as much as I could carry, and this afternoon I popped up for another load. I guess I’ll be making quite a few trips to Interlaken for shopping for the next couple of weeks.
We had an entertaining evening in Rocks last night. It was Vivienne’s birthday, and Angela had booked a singer we’ve never even heard. He turned out to be an old-school crooner who sang to prerecorded backing tracks. It was a sort of one-man karaoke show. We all had a good time, but I don’t think he’ll be invited back.
Ever since her accident, Val has needed to use a taxi to get up to the village. Today however, was her first attempt to walk up. Despite our fears it went fine, and 20 minutes later we were up at Cafe Waldschluecht for coffee with Emily and Ali. Emily was travelling to the U.K, so the remaining 3 of us caught the train down to Interlaken. We had lunch at the Cafe de Paris. It was just like summer.
Later on we got some shopping at the Co-op and had a couple of drinks in Rocks. Our intention had been to get a taxi home, but Val was confident she could manage the walk. Another success. She’ll continue to use the taxi for doctors and physio appointments, but it’s nice to think we’re no longer dependant on it for going to the pub.
After 4 days of rain and cold temperatures, the sun has returned at last. The rain fell as snow above the village, and the mountains provide a striking panoramic background.
I got that shot just after I collected Val from the doctors. We caught the train down to Interlaken and had a very nice lunch at the youth hostel.
In Switzerland, a formal garden with lawns, beds and borders is known as an ‘English garden’. Most towns and cities have one. Interlaken’s English garden is absolutely spectacular at the moment.
A nice day out. Val no longer has to wear her knee and ankle braces, so we should be able to have more of these.
We had a super dinner round at Angela’s on Friday, accompanied by Colin and Rich.
Yesterday there was a big storm. It covered the balcony with debris, and even managed to blow the barbecue right across the terrace. It’s been raining all day today, so cleaning up the mess outside will have to wait.
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