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We had a very nice evening out at Paul and Anne-Marie’s last night. It was an apero, which is an early evening event involving drinks and a few nibbles. The idea is that you socialise at the apero, then go home for dinner. Anne-Marie prepared so much food that we didn’t need dinner at all, and we didn’t leave until after 10.

Val was off to Scheidegg for work this morning, almost deserted early on.

Val’s ‘office’ – the nursery slope.

Slopes are in good condition.

Back at home, I got the shopping. It’s very warm, and I didn’t even need a jacket for my trip to the bin store this afternoon. Time for a selfie.

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It’s another lovely day, and we’re off down to the valley for a walk. More signs of spring on the way down to the station at Wengwald.

We buy our lunch at the bakery, and catch the bus to the cable car station at Stechelberg. It’s really busy, with every parking space occupied, and a queue right round the building.

Fortunately we don’t need the cable car for our walk. For much of the day it stays dark and cold down here in the valley, but if you time it right you can have a walk along the river in the sunshine.

Or, of course, you can ski if you prefer.

It’s warm in the sunshine, and lots of farm animals are out enjoying it.

We’re off to Anne-Marie and Paul’s for an apero later.

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We had a jolly evening at Ali’s last night, and she cooked an enormous cottage pie. It took a lot of eating, but eventually we demolished it. Today was very warm, and Val did our recycling while I went to the post office to collect a parcel. Squid for dinner later.

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Val had her German class this morning. Just before lunch I received an email from the immigration office in Bern – they need to see a copy of our marriage certificate. The original is back in the U.K. No problem, I thought, we can just pop down to the registry office in Lauterbrunnen and get a copy.

It turned out there isn’t a registry office in Lauterbrunnen any more, and we were directed to the one in Interlaken. We dashed back to the station and caught the train. The council offices are in an old castle (pictures pinched from the internet).

We wandered around until we found the registry office, and asked for a copy of our 29 year old document. No problem – it’ll take 10 minutes, and (naturally) it’ll cost 30 francs. We were soon back on our way to Lauterbrunnen, where we handed our certificate to the migration control officer, who will send it on to Bern.

I wonder what they’ll ask for next?

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It’s a beautiful day, mild and dry. The school holidays continue, with lots of kids on the nursery slope.

Wengen in the sunshine.

If you look carefully, the first signs of spring are beginning to appear. A heather peeps out from beneath the snow in our garden.

Catkins on this willow tree at Beanie’s house.

Last year we had a lovely spring. Fingers crossed we get another.

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Thanks to the virus, Wengen had a hard time in January. The Lauberhorn races were cancelled, most hotels were closed, and we were all involved in mass testing. Something needed to be done to cheer us all up. Here’s what the locals came up with – the Wengen Jerusalema dance.

Lots of people took part – the traditional costume group, the fire brigade, shop staff, apartment rental staff and the cable car personnel, amongst others. If you are very sharp eyed you may have spotted Emily. The newspapers and social media are loving it, so it’s nice for the village to get some positive publicity.

It’s mild and dry today. We had a walk out to Staubachbankli.

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After shopping in the village this morning, we’re off down to Lauterbrunnen. We need to visit the Gemeinde (local council), the bank and the post office. It’s overcast but dry, and the uncomfortably low temperatures we’ve been having lately seem to be over. The February holidays continue, and Wengen is still very busy.