Barbara's travels continue 2018

What a picturesque place Zuoz is. After so many years, the sgraffiti and wonderfully colourful artwork on the houses, still thrills me. This house was one of the first I photographed thirteen years ago. Isn't it gorgeous? The second camp was much quieter thankfully than the first. I don't think any of us could have coped with another 185- child camp. 120 seemed like a walk in the park! Nevertheless, it still had its challenges but with only two new teachers instead of eight in the first camp, it was very manageable. The team of teachers was also much less sociable in the evenings, so I had plenty of time to catch up with Dennis.  The weekend was fabulous. Once more I was torn between the lovely Fex Tal and a repeat walk around the Silsersee. Again, once we saw the marvelous colours of the lakes, Dennis, Sandy and I headed to Sils. What a great day we had. Super company, warm but bearable temperatures, a gentle breeze, and simply spectacular scenery! Though Dennis and Sandy com...

Nothing could have really prepared me for this first summer camp 2018 even though it was my 25 th camp! Luckily, I had spent five wonderful days relaxing, exercising and working in Madulain, so at least I started feeling really fresh and ready to go! Walking through the quiet streets of Madulain, imagining life as it used to be before cars, I felt very much at ease. My final morning at the campsite was surreal. The cloud hung in the valley and actually up to the wine barrel, but as I ate breakfast outside my beautifully painted door, the cloud started to lift, like opening the curtains in the morning, and suddenly I had this lovely view. Marvelous memories. So, from basic but fantastic accommodation to my luxury room in the Lyceum with my own door to a large balcony with this incredible panorama.  And from my bed, this special view across the valley, with the famous Maloja snake tucked into the valley below.  Even after thirteen years of working at the Lyceum Summer Camp, I a...

I cannot put into words how I feel as the little red Graubunden train pulls up at the request stop, Madulain. It's another homecoming, minus my family and best friends, yet still special! These pretty little stations along the valley always have the most glorious window boxes. I don't know how they manage to have a constant mass of flowers throughout the summer months. They never seem to fade or wilt. Perhaps the cooler mornings and evenings help them to recover from warm days ( a bit like I do I guess). The station is just next to my little home, Flurina, a very old wine barrel fitted out marvelously with little kitchen and gas cooker, double bed, dining table ( when bed not in use), heating, radio, electricity and the most amazing view of the valley from the beautifully painted front door. It was even more special to be greeted by my neighbours from last year as I arrived. It is a brilliant place to come and relax before the bustle of the camp. Here life stands still. We spe...