The really hot weather seems to have passed. Had a couple of days of soaking rain and now the temperatures are a very pleasant low to mid 20s. Our days have been mostly quiet – code for lazy!! The odd walk down the hill to the supermarket – trolley empty on the way down and full on the way back up. Didn’t plan that very well!! Also walked down to the Spiez marina area – beautiful! Lots of restaurants, families around, people playing sport on the grassed areas and swimming in the pool. Called into the local winery/cellar door in the Spiez Castle complex – sits above the harbour – but they were closed. A wedding was happening; lots of guests dressed up, food and drinks being served on the large paved patio area, children running about. What a great venue – beautiful views over the lake, mountains in the distance.
I have been busting to explore some of the nearby valleys, so yesterday we packed a picnic and headed off. Turned off before Interlaken and drove towards Grindelwald – very upmarket alpine village known as the “gateway to the Jungfrau region”. Lots of hotels, apartments and chalets for visitors wanting to hike, ski, and just be pampered – there’s a variety of wellness spas. We however just drove through, climbing up above the village, then looping back down. Parked in a small hotel car park – there seemed to be no-one around to complain – and had our picnic lunch. Great views over a lovely green valley, back-dropped by mountains, the Grindelwald glacier, and snow. Hard to take!
We then drove back again towards Interlaken, turning off into another very narrow valley, heading towards Lauterbrunnen and beyond to Stechelberg. Lovely little waterfalls falling from cliff tops as we drove along – the biggest being the Staubbach Falls near Lauterbrunnen. Little puffs of mist as it tumbled to the valley floor. Amazing views of more snow covered mountains; the valley seeming to disappear as it stretched out ahead of us. Lots of camping sites – seemed very busy – and car parks for people to leave their cars while off hiking. The road was blocked at Stechlberg so turned around and retraced our steps. Beautiful in both directions.
We saw a couple of very wild alpine rivers flowing along both valley floors – a very grey colour due to glacier sediment. This is especially prevalent when there’s been a lot of rain or snow melt – and we’ve had both recently. Found a little parking bay next to one of the rivers so pulled in to have some afternoon tea. Would hate to fall in – the speed of the rapids and the colour of the water wouldn’t provide a happy ending! But we managed to stay safe – packed up our picnic basket again, and headed for home. A great day out. Really enjoying our house sit in Spiez.
Love again
Di and Reg
PS Reg sends his thanks for the lovely Father’s Day messages he received from family xx
This entry was posted in Europe, House Sits, Spiez, Switzerland, Switzerland
Apparently the cow is saying: “I’d rather eat grass than rubbish, thanks.”
Me, I quite fancy some of Reg’s Fathers Day cheese. But I reckon there’s zero chance of him needing any help to finish it off!
Oh how true is that!! Let’s not even talk about the wine!
See you soon – we arrive in Thuir on the 21st xx
Oh wow. What else can you say.
Xx
ditto, ditto!
Beautiful, beautiful Switzerland! I feel a campervan trip coming on! Thanks for posting these and great to see what you are doing xx
Glad to have inspired you!