Paragliding

Today was our last full day here. Luke goes back to London tomorrow and we go to Ascona on Lake Maggiore for a few days. In previous years when we have had rainy summers here we have escaped to the Italian/Swiss lakes either for the day or for a night or two to get better weather, because it is at least 10C warmer there and always sunny. This year we did not need to escape there as the weather here had been so good but we booked this months ago before we knew what the weather here would be like. 

This morning Gavin and Luke left early to meet the ‘pilots’ who were taking them paragliding off the top of the highest mountain here. When you are not an experienced flyer you obviously have to go in tandem with an experienced pilot. I was waiting on the field in the village where they land, and as it was cloudy on the mountain peak they were not sure if they could fly as there was no visibility. In the village it was hot and sunny but there was a blanket of cloud on the mountain top. I waited over 2 hours, with Xena being so patient sitting with me. Friends who live in the village came and sat with me, and we waited. Eventually we saw the two paragliders coming off the mountain. I was busy taking photos and my friend Mandy was using my phone to video them as they came in to land. They both absolutely loved the flight, and both being thrill seekers they agreed to doing spirals on the thermals which is when they spin around - not for me! Gavin’s pilot was an American from Wisconsin who had lived here for a number of years. This is of both of them, Gavin in the front. The extra is of Luke coming in to land. They have been given videos and images that the pilots took on their GoPros and the footage is amazing to see.

After the flight we planned to cycle down the valley to Malans and visit some of the vineyards. However it was looking like rain was coming in (tomorrow heavy rain is forecast, the first time in about 6 weeks) so we are not sure whether to do the cycle. As it was our last day we decided to just go for it. It is a scenic cycle down the Prättigau valley, passing fields of corn and sunflowers. We had a sprinkling of rain but we were so hot it cooled us down. The cycle was 38km and when we got to Malans the wine cellars were closed (as we had left later than expected) but we found a wonderful wine bar that was serving all the wines of the area. I don’t drink wine but Luke and Gavin tasted some local wine. We sat there is the sunshine enjoying the views of the pretty village.  We then got the train back to Klosters. The trains are so organised with bicycle hooks and a lowered step to wheel the bikes on to the train. It was a terrific day and the good weather held all day.