The Engadine and Zuoz

 Finally it's time to go back to the mountains of Engadine which for most of the past 19 years have been my summer home.The moment I get on the little red train in Landquart, I start to feel excited.

Zuoz, final stop, and start of a week at 1,800 meters above sea level, in a valley which weaves its way through picturesque little villages, with pastel colored houses, many with local paintings and sayings in Rumauntsch, called Sgraffito.

19 years ago I arrived here as a teacher of English at the Summer camp in the Lyceum. 18 years later, I am lucky enough to still be involved in the running of the camps, with close contact with teachers and the incredible school, The Lyceum Alpinum.

The Lyceum sits high above the beautiful, unspoilt village of Zuoz. It's one of the most expensive boarding schools in the world and in the summer hosts the International summer camp, which I have coordinated for 19 years, online only since Brexit.

The view from the fourth floor is breathtaking.

I was super lucky to be invited to join a long-time friend, Alexandra, for a barbecue by a small waterfall, on the opposite side of the valley. It's beautiful looking back at Zuoz and its surrounding meadows, its winter ski slopes!

What a lovely spot it was and very well stocked with firewood for the grill.

Alexandra is a bit of an expert when it comes to barbecuing, so I left her to it. It was great to have time to catch up in such a beautiful environment. I love seeing her every year, sometimes at her home, sometimes at Pfaeffikon and now in the area I first met her many years ago.

By the time we left, the sun had long since set and there was a real chill in the air. This photo, taken by the golf course and cricket pitches, hasn't been altered by me, but the colors are not quite right, and yet it was a perfect evening with lots of stars and small moon. The mountains always look stunning, silhouetted at night. 

It's a very strange and rather unpleasant feeling for me not being a part of the teaching group any more. I do all the preparation and planning of teachers and students, and yet once I arrive, I feel very much an outsider, thanks to Brexit, . Nevertheless, it was lovely to welcome the teachers throughout the afternoon, with a short break to go to one of my favorite hamlets, Susanna. It brings back such happy memories of those first years!

What a pretty place it is, so tranquil, with stunning houses beautifully renovated, still with the original stall doors now used as the main entrance.

The valley, which actually leads eventually to Italy over a very steep, shingle track, is spectacular.

Arrival of the children signals my time to leave.

A look back at this extravagant school

And a glance across the lovely meadow full of wild flowers, towards David's old home. Wonderful memories of visiting him there.

The track from Zuoz to Madulain campsite over the alpine meadows is just gorgeous. I love to amble along to fully appreciate the incredible range of wild flowers brightening up the hillsides.

Home for the next week, my wine barrel, Flurina, at Madulain campsite. It's been my home many times before and yet every time it delights me to think I'll live there.

It's so cozy and has everything you need, although this year I did need all the warm clothes I had brought!

Actually, I didn't stay there the first night because when I walked back to get my last things from the school, I got soaked in a cold and sudden downpour, which signaled the start of some very dramatic thunderstorms. I was a wimp and decided a bed in a building might be more comfortable.

Next day, the view from my room in the school was fantastic. The clouds hung to the sides of the mountains and to the valleys,

 At the start, i  felt sad that I was no longer allowed to work at the camps, but after moving out, I realized how wonderful it was to be completely free to do what I wanted to! 

The forecast was certainly not great, but you only live once and so you have to make the most of your time! I headed out on foot towards Samedan, a relatively sizeable town not far away. Actually, on foot it's doesn’t seem so close !

I was virtually alone, gorgeous scenery surrounded me.

The River Beverin and Inn met here and provided a great stony place for local birds to breed.

Dark clouds ahead. Time to head home perhaps.

What a cold night it was. I was so happy I had brought all my warm clothes, my merino. I slept with a balaclava and gloves on, not to mention the many layers of merino!

Next day, the concert in the Taiswald was moved into Pontrsina church as the weather was not so dependent!

Still a fantastic concert and perfect acoustics.

I walked through the lovely pine forest to the Stazersee. What a fabulous walk, pretty quiet apart from a few bikes!

I have spent a lot of time at the Stazersee, tucked into an opening from the forest. Water was freezing, but there were plenty of people enjoying barbecues and lying in the sun. Such a gorgeous place!

Although St. Moritz is too glitzy, the surrounding mountains and lakes are spectacular. 

Next day, after an exceedingly cold night, I awoke to perfect weather, so set off for my favorite Engadine village, Guarda. The little post bus kindly saves a slog up the hill to this picturesque village, which never seems to change. I was delighted to find the pottery open.

I am so grateful to this pottery, where I planned to take a course on making clay animals, but sadly never did due to Covid!

Grateful, why? Because I started a pottery course in Christchurch to prepare for the course I never did , and have continued because I absolutely love it!

I'm pretty boring really! I love the walk from Guarda to Ardez, and every year plan to do something new, but am always drawn back - thankfully, it was a breathtaking walk with absolutely spectacular clouds.

Arrival at Ardez is always stunning, and this time I had decided to try to get up to the tower.

I nearly got there but was put off by the path and also distracted by the continuing pathway towards Ftan, the next little village. 

It was still great to look back at the tower whilst still enjoying the fabulous views all around me.

Time to leave this historical village with so many typical homes dating back hundreds of years. Their woodpiles are equally amazing!

Many homes have an Erker, a little jutting out window. Very picturesque.

The day wasn’t yet over. I finished by meeting up with Marco and teacher Sonja to enjoy the fortnightly Laret Markt. A long but rewarding day!