Philip

To the drone of alphorns, the crack of whips, the beat of folk music and the dexterity of flag throwers, herdsmen and about ten herds of cows return to the village for the winter from their summer in the alpine meadows.

Today we went to St Cergue to celebrate the desalpes. Philip and I had been trying to go for the last 2 years but other events had meant we never got there. In the last few weeks of his life we talked about the things we had not yet done but planned to do - this was one of them. He would have loved the whole thing today - the rack and pinion train journey, the atmosphere, the traditional alphorns and decorations, the cows, and the food and wine!

Some friends then treated to me to a meal out in a new restaurant tonight which was delicious.

Feel very close to Philip today and know how much fun we would have had doing this together...