It sounds phoney when you say your heart leapt.... Well, phoney or not, as I got into the train in Lauterbrunnen and it started the slow climb up the sides of the valley to the gorgeous village of Wengen, 1300 m above sea level, my heart did leap and I was overwhelmed with happiness to be coming ' home '. In 1973 I started working here at the beautiful hotel in the photo, hotel Alpenrose. I never thought I would work 8 seasons in this tiny, car- free paradise, let alone meet my future husband here.
Hotel Alpenrose was full but I found some fantastic accommodation just nearby. Very luxurious and super comfortable. I'm sitting on my terrace enjoying the cool evening and tranquillity.
Left and right, majestic peaks. The latter is The Männlichen where I am heading tomorrow - by cable car!
I so enjoyed visiting Margaret, a friend from all those decades ago. Her daughter is now in charge of the hotel and has made some fabulous renovations The dining room is marvellous.
We talked and reminisced for hours. Wonderful memories.
Imagine walking from the hotel after finishing work at 21.00 and seeing this phenomenal sight - The Jungfrau. Just stunning. Luckily for workers now, they have 8-hour shifts and two days off per week, unlike our one day off per week, none over high season, and a start at 07.00, 2.5 hours off at lunchtime and work till minimum 21.00, later if necessary. It was worth it though to be in this special place.
So, my second day was a must visit to the Männlichen and to try to walk to Kleine Scheidegg in the mountain path, Panorama path. The view from the top of Männlichen down to Wengen and the Lauterbrunnen valley is always breathtaking.
The start of the walk, and already Alpenrose are everywhere. I was told later that for a long time they were protected and now they're out of control and the animals have nowhere to graze. Like our lupins, they're a hit with the tourists.
Unfortunately, I do suffer from a fear of heights, and although most people would wonder at my being stressed on that path, sadly I was. I was lucky enough to encounter a very understanding octogenarian, who was a local and walking her dog. She walked with me, chatting and encouraging. Without her, I may have turned back and missed out on some stunning sights. Her dog loved the leftover snow drift.
About half way along she left me, once we'd passed the areas where there had been recent slips, and where the path was narrower, with a steep drop off. I was so grateful to her.
At this point, orchids started to adorn the slopes, probably unseen by most, but thanks to Jim, I recognised these tiny orchids.
These pink ones are more common, seen also in the Engadine
Whereas these ones, which are super well camouflaged are a bit less common. I have no book with me to check names.
Not only are there orchids, but of course, dozens of gentian
And pockets of the most beautiful, exquisite little Enzian.
The contrast in colours was fantastic, the Alpenrose in the foreground and the beautiful, pristine,, snow- clad Silberhorn behind.
As you walk towards Kleine Scheidegg the mighty North face of the Eiger looms larger and larger. It's such an impressive slab of rock and I can understand mountaineers wanting to conquer it.
I'm content with this simply gorgeous walk with such an incredible panorama, The Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau.
This valley above me was home to many marmots who sounded their alarm calls as we passed. No sight of them, but they could see the people on the track. Just beside a little brook was a swampy area covered with bright purple orchids. I've never seen so many in one place.
A lunch stop with a view down to Grindelwald and behind it Grosse Scheidegg.
The path had almost ended but the fabulous views still amazed me as we neared Scheidegg.
No reason to rush, so I made the most of restaurant terraces with spectacular views.
All good things do come to an end. I took the train down to Wengen, getting off at Allmend, the stop before, to visit a new restaurant built in 2003 after the one we frequented 50 years ago was wiped out in an avalanche one evening in 1999. A tragedy, with a number of deaths as people slept.
How pretty Wengen looks, perched up on its terrace above the Lauterbrunnen valley. I'm so pleased I changed my original itinerary to include this magnificent area.
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