Camp 2 2019

Camp One flew by so quickly that we knew we had to make the most of camp two, which seems to go by at supersonic speed, sadly!

We were so lucky with the weather. While Zurich sweltered in top thirty temperatures, we were treated almost every morning to the view of the Maloja Snake, twisting through the valley. Temperatures of 20 - 30 were so pleasant.

Marco and I took the opportunity to use a voucher I had been given three years ago for ten years of coordinating! It was a magical sunset up at Muottas Muragl, and our meal in the rather sophisticated dining room, delicious.

Evenings were definitely the best time to walk, and the light on the surrounding mountain tops was breathtakingly beautiful. Of course, the fabulous Engadine houses with their lovely sgraffiti, made the sight even more magical.

The clarity of the peaks in the evening is incredible.

Having a train pass for a month made it easy to hop onto a train and bus and head down the valley. I tend to focus on the so- called Ober Engadine, but the Unter is also just as stunning, but without the lakes.  I visited one of my all- time favourite villages, Guarda. Being August First, national holiday, it was quite busy with pedestrians and cyclists. I could not miss the pottery there. What amazing things they make. I decided that next year I would definitely do a course there, so I went back to the school, and booked for just before the camps, 2020! I guess we will start with smaller things!

Once I had left Guarda, I only encountered three people on the 1.25 hour walk down to Ardez. What a fabulous afternoon it was, with spectacular views both up and down this marvelous valley.

Ardez, my destination! Wow, I had forgotten just how picturesque it was. I just stopped and stared. What a wonderland this place is!

I wandered totally alone through the narrow alleyways of this gorgeous village, which is often missed by tourists, who tend instead to flock to neighbouring Guarda. I fell in love with Ardez that afternoon as I took my time, stopping to gaze up at the unbelievably intricate sgraffiti on the four- or five- hundred-year- old houses.

How did they build such homes, and how are they still standing, with their wonky walls?

I stood and stared in disbelief when I saw this modern artwork(?) in a garden, surrounded by the most extraordinary, ornately-decorated old homes.

Leaving Ardez, I looked back at this beautiful little village, with its fort above it, and secretely hoped that it would not be discovered by the tourists who visit the Engadine. 

A few days later, I retraced my route down the valley to the tiny village of Susch, with its many towers and new museum, built into a cave and old monastery. Very interesting building indeed.

Outside, across the road, was this lovely etching!

Two doors down, these colourfully painted rocks. 

A well- needed weekend gave me time to visit one of my favourite valleys, The Fex Tal. I haven't been there for years and was very keen to get to the small lake at the foot of a glacier. 

It was a fantastic day, not too warm, and with enough clouds to make the sky more interesting. What an amazingly green and lush valley this is.

At the end of the valley we came to an alp where cattle and calves grazed. What a peaceful sight!

It was brilliant to look back at the road we had taken,we had been  virtually alone in this beautiful valley.

What a great picnic spot we had! Sadly, the glacier has almost disappeared. I am so pleased I did this walk now. Maybe in a few years, there will no longer be a glacier at all.  It is a horrble thought.

The alpacas, who apparently were moved here from Zurich Zoo, seemed to be enjoying their new surroundings,  and gazed inquisitively up the valley, occasionally startled as marmots in the hills above them let out their loud shrill cries.
 

We, Dennis and I, walked down via the road, also very pretty with the river alongside, and flowers on its banks. The horses and carriages were making their way home for the night after a busy day of ferrying people from Sils to the Hotel up the valley.

The colours were stunning and the air so clear and fresh.

This has to be one of the most attractive and easily- visited valleys in Switzerland!

We were keen at the weekend to have at least one meal out. Marco had a brilliant idea of going to a fondue restaurant, in the first cable car built to go up to Diavolezza. 

What a special atmosphere there, and how wonderful to enjoy such delicious food with two of my best friends. A perfect evening!

Sunday was jazz morning. Once again we made the most of the jazz provided in St Moritz and then I went back to Maloja, where Sam and I took the path alongside the Malojasee down the valley to Sils. It is a very pretty walk, and we really enjoyed lunch in the same spot I had picnicked last year. The water is so unbelievably clear!

Our last week had a couple of stormy days, but it was still nice to get out and walk whenever we could. I love this view  up the Bever valley, and the ominous  dark clouds gave it even more character.

Zuoz at night is a magical place, and from the pop- up wine bar we had the most perfect view. It was so lovely, as was the wine!

Time to leave. It was hard to believe that four weeks had passed. So much preparation and organisation throughout the year, then suddenly it is all over. The end of my thirteenth year of camps, 52 weeks in total!

Time to say ' goodbye' to friends who have also been there for so many years: Dennis for twelve, Sam for thirteen( we started together) and Marco for eleven. Great friendships have been formed and everlasting memories.

Back home to Russikon. After a stiflingly hot arrival, I was thrilled to see some rain as I wrote this blog. 

Off to Wales tomorrow. Another wonderful trip in store for me I am sure.