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We had a good night out planned yesterday evening; a beer in Rocks, dinner at the Caprice, then music with Colin and Nev at the Alpine Hotel. Then we had a power cut.

Years ago we used to get power cuts all the time, but this is the first one I can remember in recent times. It wasn’t just Wengen either – the whole valley was in darkness. The power returned after just over an hour, and our evening progressed as planned.

Hayley is leaving us today, but her flight doesn’t leave Geneva until quite late this evening so we went down to the Brasserie in Interlaken for lunch before she caught the train.

Thanks for coming Hayles, it was lovely to see you as always.

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Good dinner at the Silberhorn last night.

When Hayley comes to visit I get to enjoy a fondue – Val doesn’t really do cheese.

The weather forecast for today was pretty awful, but in the end it wasn’t too bad. Val and Hayley went for a ski, and enjoyed lunch by the fire at the Hotel Jungfrau at Wengernalp.

Pizza at the Caprice tonight, followed by Colin and Nev playing at the Alpine hotel.

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It’s another mild, sunny day, and we’re off up to Männlichen again. Hayley made a huge risotto last night so we have lots of energy. Val is testing new skis again, so she went down the usual route, whilst Hayley and I had an absolutely super run down the racetrack. We whizzed back up on the chairlift looking forward to the next challenge.

I paused at an intersection where 2 runs cross each other to allow some skiers to pass in front of me. Unfortunately one of them made a mistake which resulted in her skiing straight into me at some speed. It was quite a crash, and we eventually came to rest about 50 metres further down the hill. A quick phone call summoned the SOS, and I got a free ride back to the cable car on a skidoo.

The Swiss medical services are very cautious, and I was sat in a wheelchair for the trip back down to Wengen. On arrival our friend Vroni picked me up in her taxi and deposited me at the doctors. I was very pleased to hear that I only have bruised and probably cracked ribs, which will heal on their own. I was given a few boxes of painkillers and we all went to the Crystal bar for lunch.

These things happen. Fondue at the Silberhorn tonight.

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The big day has arrived. Finally, it is neither a school holiday nor a weekend, and the mountain should be quiet. We headed up to Männlichen. Sure enough, apart from a busy half hour before coffee time, it was far from crowded. Hayley’s first ride in the new gondola.

Männlichen is a big area with a lot of long ski runs. We did all the skiing we could before hunger and tiredness began to take their toll.

A hot sausage roll from the bakery made for a very welcome lunch. Hayley is cooking for us tonight.

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It’s another warm, sunny day, so we’re off up the hill again. Emily is off to France for a few days, and we bumped into her at the station.

Considering that it hasn’t snowed for a month, the skiing was pretty good. Lots of weekenders about, but it wasn’t as busy as yesterday. At the top of the Lauberhorn this afternoon.

We returned to the village for a late lunch at Cafe Waldschluecht, before heading to the Co-op for supplies. Deer stew and mash for dinner tonight.

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Hayley has arrived. Time to go skiing – it’s a beautiful day.

At Wengernalp this afternoon.

We had a good ski, and ended up at the Figeller bar back in the village.

Dinner at the Eiger later.

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It’s the last day of holidays for the kids, and everyone wants to have a ski in the glorious weather. Very busy at Scheidegg.

And here are Roxy, Sophie and Val, who have spent all week teaching the kids. They got some lovely feedback from the parents and a very generous tip.

And a team photo.

We went to Rocks for an early drink, and we’ll be back up there later as we’re expecting a visitor on the late train.