woodcarvers and adelboden hike

16/12/14

This morning was an early wake up… of a whole 7 am!  We had breakfast and then had to pack our lunch for our full day of programme.  Programme meeting was at 8.30 am, we planned our day and the route we were going to take.  Then we went outside and did our hiking checks for clothes, shoes and what was in our packs before breaking and heading off. 

We left just after nine, and got to the wood carvers just after ten.  We were told it would take a lot longer with guests!! Here's some photos I took along the way...

I found some Winstons!! (My old car!)

The Woodcarver's was thoroughly impressive! The have been collaborating with Our Chalet since 1945.  The business has just been handed over to the third generation, and they recently revamped the Our Chalet sign which can be found at the end of the drive way.  The ceiling of the shop is covered in badges from the people who have visited and we were encouraged to add more! I found a Australian Friendship one among them.

 There were so many things I wanted to buy, but as I am sure I will be back, I restrained myself to just buying a trefoil name badge with 'Mel' on it.  After the Woodcarvers, we walked a little down the hill to a little cafe called 'Cafe Blatti'.  A lovely German lady runs a cafe out of her house.  I had lemon cake and a cup of tea, and I would highly recommend it!!

After our late morning tea break, we hiked down to the river.  Chloe made us walk almost to the bottom of the gorge, before she realized the path through the gorge was closed, then made us hike all the way back up again.  When we reached the river side it was time to have more food, lunch! However before we did that we all completed another section of our Staff Challenge by standing/kneeling in the rive for five seconds.  It wasn't that bad on your toes as such, however once it hit your knees and shins the water was freezing.  It was a lovely feeling to sit and put our shoes back on the feel your arteries and veins vasodilate, and return blood flow to your feet.  It kinda made them feel all warm even though they were freezing.  

After finishing lunch, we continued on into town, where we met up with Jen.  Here was where we got to organize our ski hire!!  We had organized to hire from a company called InterSport in town.  They decked us out with ski boots, skis and poles.  Apparently you can only hire a helmet if you are under 15.  The guy laughed at me when I asked him... So it looks like I will either have to borrow one from the Chalet or buy my own!

After we moved all our gear to the van... there was a lot of gear to move, when you think 8 people with boots, poles and skis, then begun the Adelboden Scavenger Hunt.  We had to find things such as the cow (bonus points for making it moo), take a photo in front of the town fountain (bonus points for getting your noses wet), how many steps between two shops which I can't spell the names of, how many public toilets can you find, and take a funny photo on the childrens playground.

Us in front of the town fountain

Our funny picture on the playground

We also went to the Co-op to buy some more snacks and chocolate... you can never have enough of Swiss chocolate, before meeting at 4.15 pm and heading back to Our Chalet.  We managed to get a couple of shots of all the Vollies together and the Vollies and Interns.

Once we got back to Our Chalet, half of us split and finished setting up the attic of Spycher and the cooked dinner.  Then after dinner we had the evening off! Finally our internet was working (kinda), so I caught up on the news (omg Sydney!!) and talking to people at home.

At about 8 pm we headed over to Jen and Mara's house for hot drinks after they invited us at dinner.  It was nice to sit on the floor and talk about nothing!  Half headed back before the rest of us, and Charlotte, Chloe, Katrina and I headed back last at about 9.30 pm.  When we got back, Chloe stood in front of the fridge trying to decide if it was to late to have food (shes a bit of a food/sweet junkie!).  When she opened the fridge there was a bit of a surprise! 

 Needless to say, she screamed (waking up all of Stockli in the process) and we all thought it was hilarious!  She ended up on the floor for about 5 mins trying to control her self, and we eventually calmed her down when Katrina bought out chocolate.  

"The mood-enhancing properties of chocolate are well known in both the Muggle and wizard worlds. Chocolate is the perfect antidote for anyone who has been overcome in the presence of Dementors, which suck hope and happiness out of their surroundings. Chocolate can only be a short-term remedy, however. Finding ways to fight off Dementors – or depression – are essential if one is to become permanently happier. Excessive chocolate consumption cannot benefit either Muggle or wizard."

—Description of the effects of chocolate, Harry Potter.

The funniest bit was, when we were all sitting at the kitchen table after we had all stopped laughing, Chloe got up and opened the fridge and almost scared herself again!!