Last days in my wine barrel at Madulain
What a fantastic week I had in the beautiful village of Madulain. I could not have had better weather for my stay in the wine barrel Flurina, at the camp site. The village of Madulain is also very pretty, with its narrow, winding streets, which only just accommodate the post buses. The old stone homes have lovely sgraffiti, often depicting the mermaids of the River Inn. 
With temperatures around 30, even at an altitude of 1700metres, the walk from Madulain to Zuoz along the surprisingly fast-flowing and full river was wonderfully refreshing, always with a gentle breeze. A perfect choice of walks.
On the one side of the track the water, and on the other the slopes leading up to the alpine pastures. The carpets of wild flowers are magnificent and are abuzz with bees, butterflies and other insects. Gorgeous.
As I was dawdling along the little alleyways of Madulain, I met up with a lady from the local tourist office. She was so delighted to think that someone from NZ knew this area so well, and was studying Rumauntsch, that she offered me a ride up into the pastures, to Alp D'uorda. I had been weighing up whether I could make it up to the little hut there in the heat and had more or less given up the idea, so a free ride with a local was not to be turned down. Boy, was I glad I had not walked it, despite the trip up in a rather old, not four- wheel drive car, proving to be quite exciting for a scaredy cat like me! It was a long way up!
What a view we had from the little terrace, and we were invited to have lunch there.
Chance meetings are so special.
Here in the photo below is the leader! What beautiful colours they all are.
Next day was a very long, but super enjoyable walk in the valley which I probably love the most, Fex Tal. I was pleased I took the lazy way up the first part of the walk, on a horse-drawn carriage, thus avoiding the first upward part. Marvelous views up the valley from the comfort of the carriage!
Several hours after being dropped off by the pretty little chapel at Chasta, followed by a wonderfully shady walk through the forest, I arrived at the end of the valley, Alp Fex. It saddens me to see how little is now left of what was, even three years ago, a fairly impressive glacier. With weather like this, things will certainly not get better. The cows can enjoy the cool air coming off the glacial waters.
I hadn't realised just how dehydrated I was. A half litre of water disappeared in seconds and I was still thirsty!
There is surprisingly so much water in the waterfalls nearby. They are truly spectacular.
As is the view down the valley! It was certainly a very big walking day, twenty kilometres in fact! But, wow, it was breathtakingly beautiful.
How very welcoming are the many benches along the way, especially by the water!
It's the day after haymaking is permitted, so the pastures are a hive of avtivity, and so, unfortunately are my eyes and nose! I don't think I have ever suffered such hayfever - but no complaints. This is really a fantastic place to be!
And, after an absolutely perfect day in some of the most beautiful countryside in the world, I returned, exhausted, to my little home at the campsite, where my neighbours and I enjoyed a farewell dinner together. We have all been together all week and have really enjoyed each other's company. What a great finale to a really amazing week in my wine barrel!
I will certainly miss the stunning scenery all around me, particularly il Mezzlaun
With temperatures around 30, even at an altitude of 1700metres, the walk from Madulain to Zuoz along the surprisingly fast-flowing and full river was wonderfully refreshing, always with a gentle breeze. A perfect choice of walks.
On the one side of the track the water, and on the other the slopes leading up to the alpine pastures. The carpets of wild flowers are magnificent and are abuzz with bees, butterflies and other insects. Gorgeous.
As I was dawdling along the little alleyways of Madulain, I met up with a lady from the local tourist office. She was so delighted to think that someone from NZ knew this area so well, and was studying Rumauntsch, that she offered me a ride up into the pastures, to Alp D'uorda. I had been weighing up whether I could make it up to the little hut there in the heat and had more or less given up the idea, so a free ride with a local was not to be turned down. Boy, was I glad I had not walked it, despite the trip up in a rather old, not four- wheel drive car, proving to be quite exciting for a scaredy cat like me! It was a long way up!
What a view we had from the little terrace, and we were invited to have lunch there.
Chance meetings are so special.
We had timed our visit there to include seeing the herd of cows descending from their pastures to be milked. They overnight there, ready for early milking and an early return to the hills before it gets too hot! It's a pity that this photo does not include the clanging of the cow bells!
Here in the photo below is the leader! What beautiful colours they all are.
Next day was a very long, but super enjoyable walk in the valley which I probably love the most, Fex Tal. I was pleased I took the lazy way up the first part of the walk, on a horse-drawn carriage, thus avoiding the first upward part. Marvelous views up the valley from the comfort of the carriage!
Several hours after being dropped off by the pretty little chapel at Chasta, followed by a wonderfully shady walk through the forest, I arrived at the end of the valley, Alp Fex. It saddens me to see how little is now left of what was, even three years ago, a fairly impressive glacier. With weather like this, things will certainly not get better. The cows can enjoy the cool air coming off the glacial waters.
I hadn't realised just how dehydrated I was. A half litre of water disappeared in seconds and I was still thirsty!
There is surprisingly so much water in the waterfalls nearby. They are truly spectacular.
As is the view down the valley! It was certainly a very big walking day, twenty kilometres in fact! But, wow, it was breathtakingly beautiful.
How very welcoming are the many benches along the way, especially by the water!
It's the day after haymaking is permitted, so the pastures are a hive of avtivity, and so, unfortunately are my eyes and nose! I don't think I have ever suffered such hayfever - but no complaints. This is really a fantastic place to be!
And, after an absolutely perfect day in some of the most beautiful countryside in the world, I returned, exhausted, to my little home at the campsite, where my neighbours and I enjoyed a farewell dinner together. We have all been together all week and have really enjoyed each other's company. What a great finale to a really amazing week in my wine barrel!
I will certainly miss the stunning scenery all around me, particularly il Mezzlaun
I am inspired by the way you travel Barbara - slowly and deeply. You really experience the country rather than glossing over it. It's something I am going to work on for my next European foray. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
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