Switzerland September 2013

We have just returned form a spectacular trip to Switzerland.....in the heart of the Swiss Alps the Bernese Oberland must be one of the prettiest spots. We went with Andy's fungi enthusiast friends, Jen, Keir, Mark, Al & David. I must admit I adored the walks in the moutains, the breathtaking mountains capped in snow, massive pine forests and alpine flowers...I also enjoyed the mushrooms for the first few days.....then I became 'fungied out'. The walks were not the problem but the evenings with six people scrutinizing all of the finds started to get on my nerves so I hdd to drag Andy out of our small village chalet and in to one of two watering holes opposite. The mountain hostel and restaurant also served a piping hot cheese fondue!

I am not exagerating when I say the village was small...170 residents..many with the same surname!!!! And the village was only accessible by cable car....not for the faint hearted!

The village makes it own cheese and butter. Alpine cheese is absolutely delicious and we learned from the farmer it can only be made three months of the year - June to September as it is dependant on the rich pasture for the cows. The higher the pasture, the richer the pasture but before June and after September it is too cold for the cows to graze. Apparently the Alpine cheese has four times more Omega 3 so it is very healthy.

 

One of my favourite days was spent at Lake Brienz....an azure, glass lake surrounded by mountains and pine. Absolutely breathtaking........the spent seevral hours walking from one village to another taking an obscene number of photos.

 

We were only there for a week but were thrilled to wake up to a shallow blanket of snow one morning....not enough to stop the day's activities but enough to provide some more great photo opportunties.

 

I am so glad I took lots of pictures because as beautiful as it was I will not be returning the next fungi focused holiday that they are planning for next year. One can only take so much mush!