Grindelwald - First, Waldspitz, Terrasenweg

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Yesterday was a domestic day so not worth recording.

Today we took the chairlift to First. The glaciers and mountains around were clear but topped with cloud. The trip up to First is one that you can never tire of. It is magnificent and one of the reasons we come to Switzerland. We took a route that we haven't done before. This was down the cliff face below First then across an Alp, past waterfalls and tthen onto the restaurant and hotel called Waldspitz. Amazingly, the Grindelwald Bus has a service up here. We sat on the side of the road down with a view over Grindelwald and had our picnic lunch. The temperature at First had been 8 degrees and although it warmed a little on the way down it was still quite cold. The clouds started to roll in and it began to drizzle. This seems typical afternoon weather in the mountains as this pattern seems to be established. Rarely do we get clear, fine days. We opted to walk down the road rather than through the forest. For one, the gradient is easier, and secondly the views are maintained. We passed through Alps ( farming communes), forested areas, steep rock faces and finally into populated areas. Otherwise, it was a quiet and scenic walk in murky weather. If you want to avoid tourists (which we are of course) then head off the popular trails to find peace and quiet.

Tonight we head into Interlaken for a BBQ on board the Lake Brienz ferry. This is to thank Mariann for her hospitality. Let's hope the weather does not spoil it all. It would be lovely on a fine sunlit evening, BUT, as I write this, I think the monsoon has moved from India to Interlaken.

PS: Regarding the BBQ, we had to walk down the hill in the monsoon with umbrellas and flooded footpaths. We arrived at the Station to find that the train we were expecting wasn't for another half and hour which would be too late. Panic stations. We phoned Mariann with the news, and she, like the Mrs Schumacher she is, planted her foot and got to Grindelwald in record time to pick us up. Then it was a gripping ride back down to Interlaken in time to get the boat. The BBQ had to be inside, it rained the whole time, and the view was murky. The food was overpriced but okay. Despite all this we enjoyed our dinner on the boat. We had to get a late train back to Grindelwald and trudge our way back up the hill - in rain, of course. Where did summer go?

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Photos

Lindsay with Upper and Lower Glacier behind
From the track below First, the photo shows Lindsay on a rock with the two glaciers between the Eiger and Wetterhorn mountains

Looking across to Grosse Scheidegg
This basin sits below First and across to Grosse Scheidegg. It is a great place for walking in the summer and skiing in the winter. Across the valley is the main mountain range.