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For the first time in well over a year, Colin and Steve played at the Alpine Hotel last night. It was a really good evening, the bar was packed.

Today it’s sunny again, and warmer still. Val went skiing with Rachel this morning. In the garden, the bulbs that we put in last autumn have come up.

Later this afternoon the wind began to pick up, and it looks like the nice weather may be coming to an end. We have to keep reminding ourselves that it’s still March, and winter could return with a vengeance.

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This coming weekend there’s a big music festival up at Männlichen. Work to build the stage and food outlets etc is in full swing.

The stage is going to be huge.

The festival is scheduled to run all weekend. The organisers must be keeping a very close eye on the weather forecast, because Männlichen is pretty exposed. Meanwhile, down in Wengen, the spring-like weather continues. I spent a pleasant half hour sitting on the terrace outside the Crystal bar watching the world go by.

Colin’s mate Steve is back in town, so they’ll be playing at the Alpine Hotel this evening.

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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.