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Last night we had a race around the village. It’s called Abendlauf, or Evening Run. Adults have a 7km course to tackle.

The kids have a shorter course, but they’re just as enthusiastic.

It’s a pity about the rain. First girl home was our neighbour Jana.

Later on we had a good party in Rocks with Uptown Lights providing the entertainment. 

It was still raining this morning and the valley looked like Tolkien’s Middle Earth.

We popped down to Interlaken and got some chairs for the balcony. Fingers crossed for some nicer weather.

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Spanish night down at the Bären last night – lots of tapas and paella.

Followed by cocktails in the Tanne.

It rained for most of the night – snow up high. We caught the train up to Wengernalp.

In summer there are lots of places to see which are inaccessible in winter, particularly if you don’t mind a bit of a walk. Biglenalp is a hidden valley bisected by a torrent of meltwater from the Eiger glacier.

From here we can walk back to Wengen in the sunshine.

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There is a network of paths above Wengen which eventually gets walkers all the way to Männlichen if they have the energy. The views from up here are some of the best.

Felix Mendelssohn, the famous German composer of the Romantic period used to holiday in Wengen, and high above the village is a nice memorial to him.

There’s a new way to get down the mountain at Männlichen called a Summer Gemmel. This contraption has 3 wheels and brakes, but somewhat alarmingly no steering.

We were tempted to take the cable car up but the clouds rolled-in and it began to rain, so we headed home.

Time for a little practise before we head out for dinner. Passable views from my piano stool.

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We went to the station this morning and picked-up our summer passes. They will allow us to use all the local trains, cable cars etc until the winter ski passes start again in December. 

Armed with our passes we got the train up to Kleine Scheidegg. Lots going on – the engine shed for the Jungfraubahn is being extended. All the winter paraphernalia has gone and now it’s all about hiking.

The weather forecast isn’t great and it was pretty chilly up at the top. Nevertheless we set off down the hill back towards Wengen. We hopped on a train at Wengernalp as it looked very like a storm was coming in, but by the time we got to Allmend it was still dry so we got off the train and walked home.

The rain arrived about 100 yards from home, and as I write this I can hear a thunderstorm approaching. Luckily the Co-op is only 50 yards away so we should be able to buy something for dinner.

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We had a good journey to Wengen today – we even managed to get an early train from Zurich so we arrived in the village at 3.20 which is pretty good. 

We unpacked all the new stuff we’ve brought over for the flat, then go for a wander. Lots more people around than we’d expected, but it’s pretty peaceful once you get off the main street.

A few drinks in Rocks to round off the evening.

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Well, strictly speaking the last walk back from Sina’s pub to Rocks. Lovely evening with Ally & Colin.

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Yesterday Val took a pair of skis up to Scheidegg and gave them a good workout on Arven and Salzegg. Looking down the steep pitch on Arven – it was a bit gloomy.

They seemed fine, so here they are alongside Hayley’s before being consigned to our locker for the summer.

Last night we went down to the Three Tells in Matten for fish and chips.

Today has been spent packing and later we’ll go for mountain burgers at the pub. Back to the UK for a while tomorrow.