AROUND ADELBODEN

Adelboden is enchanting, and made even more so this morning when the sound of what seemed like half a dozen churches ringing their bells all at once had me rushing to our balcony.  As the cacophany of bell ringing grew ever closer, finally the wonderful sight appeared on the road below of cows being driven down from the mountain sides to a local "Alpler-Markt" - a kind of fete at the end of the season where the farmers show off their wonderful beasts and sell their cheese and produce.  Each cow, apart from being the bearer of a collar and bell of all different shapes and sizes, wore a decorated brow band of alpine flowers.  It was a glorious sight and a great start to the day.

We had decided on an easy day and made our way by bus and cable car up to Engstligenfalle.  This is one of Switzerland's largest mountain plateaus and on a sunny Saturday, a veritable playground for the Swiss.   We had a view of the soaring Engstligenfalle Waterfall as we left the cable car, before taking an easy one and a half hour walk around this extraordinary plateau, marvelling at the jewelled crown of mountain peaks she was proudly wearing, shown off to perfection on this day of perfect September sunshine.

The impressive Engstligenfalle Waterfall

Anthony had brought his binoculars, and when he wasn't "spying" for chamois, enjoyed watching the ant-like progress of hikers, tackling various slopes and ridges which towered over us.  However, the most extraordinary thing about Engstligenfalle is that for certain months of the year it is the home to what must be one of the world's most unusual golf courses!

Golf anyone?  At 2,000 metres the Engstligenfalle plateau is the most extraordinary setting for a golf course.

Milk churns have many uses in Switzerland!

The view down the fairway!

It was a day of surreal experiences, and we were to have another as we re-boarded the cable car for the return journey to Adelboden to share it with two dead chamois!  A truly rugged looking Swiss huntsman was returning to the valley with his trophies, transported in a hand card, carefully laid together under his coat with their heads entwined together as if sleeping, and their mouths full of herbs and flowers, which I can only assume is some sort of mountain custom.  One of the other passengers in the cable car translated that this man had been stalking for a week to finally gain his prize.  Looking at the terrain over which this stalk must have taken place, he was fully deserving of his bounty.

A truly restful day will stand us in good stead for the hiking ahead - two 7 hour days in succession, the first being our hike south-west from Adelboden towards Lenk tomorrow, via the summit of Sillerebuel (1,972 metres) and Hahnenmoospass at  1,950 metres.  We have both vowed to return to Adelboden one day and explore the web of wonderful hiking paths which are on her doorstep.