24 March 2015 - In the shadow of the mighty Eiger

View from our window in the morning!

Another clear day greeted us as we looked out of the window at our sensational postcard view. It actually reminds me of one of those 1000 piece jigsaws you see in opportunity shops, that people do once and donate to charity!

How's that for a snow plough!

We were all excited to head to the slopes knowing the weather would be excellent again.  Sunglasses and sun screen essential!  Karl and Luke spent another day together exploring the town and discovering iron rocks and other things of note.

I never tire of the little alp train chugging on its cogs up the mountain, today all the way to Kleine Scheidegg.  Tim and I went off on our lesson with Jenny down some hairy slopes. Tim, with confidence to master new skills, took to jumps and new challenges with ease.  I froze on two slopes which I had to side slip down.  They were icy and in the shadow of the Eiger and I couldn't see the perspective of the slope and just couldn't do it!  Much as I really enjoyed the majority of the skiing, those slopes were really scary and I was relieved when we reached our destination at Brandegg and the famous opfelchuessli (apple fritters) mit vanillin sauce (custard).  They were indeed delicious and I bought some to takeaway for Annika.

Ski lessons begin for the day...

The Eiger..

Another photo of Tim on skis in Switzerland1

Note - NO ONE else but our class on the slopes!

 The little cafe was right at the Brandegg Station so we could take the train back to Kleine Scheidegg for lunch.  Annika was there and glad to see me and the apple fritters!

The famous and delicious apple fritters

Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe!

The Eiger!

Brandegg Station

Just to show we are close to the Eiger

 We sorted out afternoon teams for skiing and added a few to our team from yesterday. David's wife, Sue, Annika and a young pastor, John and Andy who reminds us of Brian from Wilton Street!  It worked out really well as we made our way down the blue run we did yesterday from Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen. Tim was off with the more advanced skiers, needless to say!;

Setting off for our afternoon ski

Selfie!

So terrific to ski with Annika

We stopped at the cafe at Allmend.  Annika ordered what she thought would be an iced chocolate but was a disappointing "schoggi", basically chocolate syrup and cold milk!  We had no complaints, however, about the marvellous view and the panorama of alps with little Wengen below.

Little town of Wengen from Allmend Cafe

Ski group: Helen,Annika,John, Kirsten, Sue, David and Andy

Up on one of those peaks is the Mannlichen gondola from the other day.

Panorama of Wengen from the Allmend Cafe

Easter Egg display.

Easter Egg decorations at Cafe Allmend

Then down, down, down to Wengen through the village, past the cows and to the station.  Another fabulous afternoon.  Feeling very blessed indeed.

Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen group - end of our run!

Tim had an excellent afternoon conquering black runs and enjoying every second of his new found favourite sport!  He is so tired at the end of the day and goes to bed by 8 PM.  He thrashes his muscles all day and it is fabulous to see him loving his time here.

It has been particularly lovely getting to know people here and having many great conversations, card games and travel sharing.  We are all loving it here in the peaceful Lauterbrunnen valley.

Our speaker tonight spoke about Jesus' power over the elements: power over nature and power over fear having read from John 6 : 16-21.  They screened a film on The Eiger and climbing up the North Face which Karl watched and loved while I settled Luke who was particularly wound up today.