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We had bratwurst with rösti for dinner last night, hardly challenging on the teeth. Nevertheless, one of Val’s molars decided to disintegrate mid-meal. This morning therefore, we were up early and off to Interlaken to get it fixed. Dentists here are only offering emergency treatment at the moment, but after an x-ray the problem was soon dealt with.

This afternoon I did the only job I dislike more than servicing the dishwasher – deep cleaning the barbecue. It always comes up like new, but it’s hard, filthy work. Anyway, it’s done for another year.

Most of the pictures and ornaments here are nice, but a few are not quite to our taste. Val is gradually replacing these with some of our old favourites.

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Went round to Ali’s for dinner last night – cottage pie! Absolutely delicious.

Under our stairs is a big space full of all sorts of stuff that hasn’t moved for years. Amongst other things we found cushions, rugs, a Black & Decker cordless vacuum cleaner (still charged and working), and best of all, some garden furniture. There’s a table, 4 chairs and 2 sun loungers. We tried a few things out on the terrace.

Val has figured out how to operate the timer for the heating, so it won’t burst into life at 5am any more.

I went for my run, accompanied for the first 100 metres by Emily’s cat.

It’s barbecue weather; we have some bratwurst.

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Today we’re off to Stechelberg, it’s our local hiking Mecca.

There’s a little hydro-electric station here, and behind it the generating company have built a nature reserve. The two ponds were full of frogspawn last time we were here, and now there are thousands of tadpoles. Press play.

It’s fascinating to watch.

It’s about 6 kilometres back to Lauterbrunnen, and it’s a hot day. Off we set.

We’re off to Ali’s for dinner tonight.

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Last night we heard some reports saying that Lauterbrunnen had been swamped with tourists over the weekend. This could be a problem, as we want to be able to walk safely in the valley. We walk down to check things out.

There’s a whole network of paths between Wengen and Lauterbrunnen.

We need to cross the track here.

For many, Lauterbrunnen is merely a railway halt where you change trains on your way to Wengen or Mūrren. That’s a shame, it definitely deserves a closer look.

One last one, in case you’re still unconvinced.

It took us around an hour and a half to walk down, and we needn’t have worried about crowds – it was deserted. The train took us back to Wengen in just 12 minutes.

It must be time to start running again, and there’s no time like the present. The first one’s always a bit tough.

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There’s a supermoon coming in the next few days, but already it’s bright enough at night for some nice photos.

This morning it’s absolutely glorious.

Our walk takes us to a cluster of houses called Stutzweidli. It’s just above the village on a big meadow next to the ski run.

A fallen tree almost demolished this bench.

It’s still possible to ski, as long as you don’t mind walking up.

This girl decided that it was a good day for skiing in shorts. It really is that warm!

We pick up the forest path at chalet Oberland and head back towards the village. Nice walk.

Back in the village, the football table that we spotted yesterday has disappeared. It has found a new home.

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Emily was working hard cooking our dinner last night. A very nice beef goulash with mashed potatoes.

If you want to dispose of a piece of furniture or other large items, you buy a label from the Co-op and put them out for the council to collect. Before buying a label however, it’s usual to offer stuff for free by leaving it outside. You see some unusual things:

We’ve heard rumours that some parapente pilots have been walking up to Männlichen in order to enjoy the flight back to the village. That’s a climb of 1000 vertical metres, carrying a parachute and harness. I didn’t really believe it. It turns out to be true.

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Hazy sunshine today, and a bit warmer for our walk.

The busiest people in the valley seem to be the helicopter pilots. They’re running non-stop. This one is moving building materials. Another spent all morning shifting fallen trees from the forest just below our path.

The forest is full of flowers now. With the fine weather forecast to continue, we should have some good displays in a week or two.