The wooden hut on the mountain

I am sure I was not the only one who felt sorry for the organisers of the Paris Olympics 2024, as the opening ceremony was spoilt by rain that surely was not anticipated. Everyone carried on regardless and the entertainers and athletes braved the awful weather.They were so unlucky as it seemed to be warm and dry everywhere else, we certainly had a warm and dry evening here in the Swiss mountains. 

Today was another hot day.  We decided to do a high level hike, we took the gondola to the top of the mountain and then crossed across the top until eventually walking back down to the village. It is a very scenic walk but extremely steep coming down, you certainly felt it in your legs and knees. We had a packed lunch on the mountain enjoying the beautiful views, and then later had a cold drink at a mountain cafe. Xena was so hot as she was running around like crazy enjoying all the smells in the alpine grasses and flowers, so we sat for a while at the cafe to allow her to cool down.

This evening was the opening concert of the annual Klosters Music Festival, from which we have just returned. It was amazing! The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen was conducted by a young and very energetic Russian conductor, Maxim Emelyanychev, who was absolutely mesmerising. He is currently the principal conductor of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. The program included one of my favourite symphonies, Dvořák's New World Symphony which is such a rousing and triumphant piece of music, while at the same time being melancholic and wistful. I love it! We were very impressed with the orchestra, the conductor, and the guest violinist who is also Russian but studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School (in our village) and then at the Royal College of Music. A very fine start to the music festival which seems to get better each year.