Barbara's travels continue 2018

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 a...

It was a strange, and admittedly sometimes at the beginning a rather sad thing to no longer be in the thick of the camp, but as the days have passed with so many interesting moments and wonderful things to do, I have definitely settled into a more holiday/study mode! I still have to get up early whilst most in the campsite  sleep, but I eat my breakfast outside in peace and quiet, surrounded by fabulous scenery. At 8. I hop aboard the little red train to Samedan, the little capital of the region. I love the station, which at only 100 metres from my wine barrel, is the closest toilet from 06.00 to 23.30!  If I get up at night - inevitable- I still enjoy the 100+ metres walk I have. Full moon and mountains silhouetted make the walk the greatest pleasure rather than a chore.mglad I have my merino clothes, as its about 2 degrees at night! In Samedan it is once again an uphill walk to the school. It seems they never build schools in the valleys - I guess so you are wide awake when...

I have been looking forward to seeing my beloved Engadine Valley for three years. This was definitely my summer home for 13 years, and here I was, heading towards the summer camp in Zuoz once again, but thanks to Brexit (😩) as a visitor, but at least able to see all the wonderful friends I have made there. As you exit the 15-minute long Veraina Tunnel, there it is, the Engadine valley, which weaves its way through the mountains with the currently very full River Inn providing a lovely refreshing focal point, with its beautifully lush fields and forest-clad hills on either side. My heart soars every time I make this trip as the little red train heads towards Zuoz.  As I puff up the cobbled road towards the Lyceum, at 1800m, I love passing the oldest house in the village, usually with one of the oldest and toothless residents outside. This time she was not around. Pity! After a little mill at a steep part of the road, it is thankfully downhill to the simply majestic Rondell, rounda...

Life can give so many little pleasures and interesting events, if you are lucky and if you are open to them! My visit to the second hand shop, Brocki, in Wetzikon was a real eye opener, seeing how wonderfully one can decorate a second hand shop and present such bargains in such a creative way. My last night for a while in Russikon turned out to be very special indeed. After a rather sedentary day, I decided to take a, after dinner stroll to see the spectacular sinflower fields I had passed daily on the bus and longed to see close up. The little road down to them took me past these cute little lambs who stared at me with great curiosity. Not many people were out and about at that time! Storm clouds shrouded some of the hilltops, so I hurriedly took my first photos fearing the sun would sink below them. The effect was stunning. This hour spent amongst the sundlowers, all alone, with the sun setting and the sky ablaze, was certainly one of the most magical I can remember since I strolled...