On Friday, the 15th of September, it was warmer than the previous two days - just right for a hike that would keep us largely in the woods.
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| Kanisfluh seen from our room at 20 to 8:00 that morning |
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| looking towards the valley |
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| about half an hour later |
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| Tiny private chapel not far from the hotel |
The uphill bit from the bottom of our valley to the Wendelin-Kapelle (chapel) was really steep, and I was full of admiration for an elderly couple coming downhill - I did not envy them the rocky path, and thought it wise that they were using walking poles. I was panting and puffing much more than they!
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| A different view of the always recognisable Kanisfluh |
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| Wendelin-Kapelle |
The chapel was locked, and so we only took a few pictures from the outside and then moved on.
We were rewarded for our efforts with a beautiful view from the settlement called Schnepfegg (just a handful of houses, really):
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| I loved that view and could have stood and stared for a long time. |
Just as were about to begin the steep descent towards the village of Schnepfau, two hikers were making their way towards us - and who should they be but O.K.'s retired colleague and his wife, the ones we'd visited on Monday. Group photos were taken, and a nice chat ensued before we went downhill and they walked on, remaining on top of the ridge.Schnepfau church was open, and after a look inside, we sat on a bench facing it and having a drink of water.
On we walked on a very comfortable path along the stream called Ach at the bottom of the valley all the way to Mellau (where we'd also been on Monday. This time, we did not take the funicular up the mountain, but the bus to Bezau, were we changed into another bus to Bizau.
We made it to the hotel in time for our 4:00 pm sauna slot, welcome after 12 km of walking - not that much in terms of distance, but believe me, the up and downhill bits were not easy.Our four course dinner was as delicious as the evenings before, and it was no suprise that we were ready for a good night's sleep shortly after 9:00 pm!
A lovely walk and I enjoyed looking at the photographs and reading. It is a very beautiful place to go for a vacation.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rachel. It certainly is a good place, and only a few hours from home - no exhausting long trip, no flight necessary.
DeleteOh to walk in those hight meadows again.
ReplyDeleteIt was beautiful, and still much greener than I expected to find it this time of year.
DeleteSo beautiful, Meike! Do you and O.K. use hiking poles on the steep climbs?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ellen! No, we don't. O.K. has a pair of hiking poles, and when we first got together and started our hiking/walking holidays, he used them a few times - but then left them in the car most times, and nowadays he does not even pack them. I want my hands free at all times and feel much safer for it.
DeleteSo very beautiful! I love that you met folks that you knew. Once at Black Rock Mountain State Park we came across a couple and the man looked at me and said, "Why, it's Claude's daughter!". You know that pleased me no end! (It was his very next door neighbor.)
ReplyDeleteI love that little chapel and those views of the mountains! I don't blame you for standing and staring, I would too!
It's nice to come across someone we know unexpectedly - most of the time :-)
DeleteIn this case, we knew they were in the area, but it was still a coincidence that they should walk the same path on the same day, with there being a large choice of walks and hikes around "our" two valleys.
What can I say. This time I'm enjoying the walk whilst wondering about dinner with a glass of wine. Prost!
ReplyDeleteFrom what I know from your blog, Graham, you are an excellent cook, and I don't doubt that most days you eat much better than I do, at least during the week.
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