Wednesday July 3, Brienz

The partly frozen lake at the Grimslepass - surreal.

As I am sitting writing this blog a few metres from Lake Brienzer, looking right down the lake, a huge thunderstorm roars around and rain falls. Thankfully it didn’t hit until later this afternoon as we have had the most amazing drive today.

It was very busy this morning as we drove back down the valley with preparations well underway for the Zermatt Ultra Marathon and half marathon that are being run on Saturday. Hard to imagine runners climbing up these high-altitude hills but evidently it is extremely popular and crowds come to watch.

Had to retrace our route a little before turning off at Brig and following the Rhone River to its source high up in the Alps. It was such a beautiful drive passing through countryside that is what you picture in your mind of Switzerland with beautiful lush valleys, villages with their dark stained wooden chalet houses, little churches with high steeples and surrounded by steep snow-capped mountains. The roads are great and the traffic and driving far easier than Italy!!! Ever the farmer, Ian is most intrigued with the little hand operated hay mowers that are used to cut the hay on very steep little fields. Once dry, it is swept to the bottom where it is then loaded into a trailer and taken back to the barn.

We left the valley then started a very steep climb with many hairpin bins up to the Grimslepass, at over 2100metres. It was just breath-taking, still lots of snow lining the sides of the road and at the top was a vibrant turquoise coloured lake still partly frozen. Just magic. Shame it was too early to stop for the day as there was a small Stellplatz overlooking the lake. So many motorbikes on the road but can understand why, it must be exhilarating  to ride all the hairpin bends. And surprised to see so many cyclists tackling the mountain road too.

Then we were off down the other side with another lot of hairpin bends and more jaw dropping scenery. Down at a lower altitude we noticed a small herd of milking cows out grazing, bells around their necks enjoying the lush green grass. Ian was pretty sure they were Brown Swiss.

Had found a small campsite on the shores of Lake Brienzer on our Park4Night app and it has turned out to be a real beauty. When we arrived, I rang the door bell twice before an older gentleman poked his head out from an upstairs window and asked if we had a dog. When I said no, he came down, shook my hand and welcomed us. Guess I had woken him from his afternoon siesta. Anyway he turned out to be really friendly and led us around to a perfect spot right on the edge of this lake.

Planned to walk into Brienz but when the predicted thunderstorm arrived, it was feet up and a book, hoped it would have cleared by late afternoon but no luck, so night at home and will hopefully walk into town in the morning.

Typical road side houses and restaurants.

Cutting hay!

So typical of Switzerland

The road up to the pass...lots of hairpin bends.
Memories of Norway!

..and the GPS version.

Snow still in the carpark

A hydro dam on the way down

Interesting rock formations.

The lake when we arrived....

...and before the storm came in.