Scarlet Runner by crooxi

33° today, but should be a bit cooler tomorrow. (I hope!) Lurked indoors for most of the day, cleaning, inspired (? terrorized, more like) by the prospect of handing over my keys to the neighbours (to bring in post, and water my plants) and heading off to England for a couple of weeks. Ventured out about 5 to go and buy our train tickets to the airport, and was shocked by the oven-like blast of hot air that met me as I walked down the steps. I did see one or two runners out............ but I'll give it a miss, thanks!

Not very much running to report at all, in fact. The theatre season ended with an afternoon performance on Sunday 19th, and I celebrated my freedom with the usual jaunt round the Vita Parcours when I got home. A lovely evening, full of the scent of warm roses and Sunday roasts, but I felt a bit tired and burnt-out and couldn't muster much energy, so it was very slow and ploddy.

Thursday before I got out again, both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings being foiled by thunderstorms. Went out earlier, in case it did the same again. As it was another Catholic holiday, we thought the school track might be open to the public............. but no, it was locked. So we carried on and did 2 rounds of the Ufschötti, then headed over to the castle at Wartegg, crossed the road, and went up towards the woods via the 'gardens path'. It was a while since I'd been that way, so it was nice to have a look at all the things growing there. Then along Waldrand, past the trough, and home. 8.58 km, in 1:01:14. Very enjoyable, with energy levels restored.

The original plan for the week had been to go away for a few days (walking in Jura), but J. was so stressed-out with work, we decided to postone that until later, after we get back from England. We did get out for one day's walking, though, last Sunday, tackling some more of those Emmental hills. We chose the Trubschachen to Schangnau section of the 'Emmentaler Höhenweg': the Emmental High-level route. It was obvious from the name that some climbing would be involved, but it was really fairly brutal in places! - the brutality compounded by the fact that this was the day the temperature decided to soar. It took an hour and a half to cover the first 4.5 km! Stopped for a very welcome lunch break at 'Erika's Bergbeiz', a rustic little restaurant in the middle of nowhere, then tackled the next few km - a section of rolling undulations - with renewed elan. Zipped off my trouser legs, and promptly got bitten by a horsefly - always bad news for me, as I react very strongly to insect bites - but the fantastic views in all directions were a consoling distraction.

We had not yet finished with climbing, though! - but after a sweat-inducing, muscle-burning, groan-provoking final toil up to Wachthubel, we reached the highest point, and a strategically placed bench to sink down on and enjoy the truly amazing panorama. It was scorching hot, though, and I thought of the poor marathon runners at Neuchatel, relieved that after all I had decided not to do it. Even 'just' walking was hard in this heat.

And down again, towards Schangnau (speculating on the Chinese-sounding names: 'Schangnau via Chüng'). Coming to the outskirts of the village, we encountered some of Schangnau's most famous residents: the buffaloes. One of the farmers there has cornered a niche market in meat and milk products. Originally ridiculed, they are now a big success (even Migros stocks Schangnau's buffalo-milk yogurt!)

Timed it just nicely, with 20 minutes to visit the village inn and get something to drink before catching the post bus to Escholzmatt and the train home. (J. wanted buffalo milk - but they didn't have any! Their menu did boast buffalo steak, though - and zebu steak, if you want something even more exotic!)

So that's it from me for a while. I may comment (depending on my brother's willingness to let me use his computer), but will post again when I get back.