We were so comfortable in our big bed, that we didn't get up early
enough to say goodbye to Kirstin (sorry Kirstin, we look forward to
seeing you in New Zealand). After morgengessen (breakfast) we got on
quite well communicating with Annj and Bartli using all sorts of
different means (hands, pictures, maps, feet, dictionary). We were
then joined by friends/translators Susanne and Peter for the morning
trip, high up the other side of the valley to get the low-down on how
real Swiss Alp Käse (mountain cheese) is made. We also had the
pleasure of tasting Käse from the stereotypical large 5kg round
blocks.
This farm has around 60-70 milking cows to make cheese & butter from.
About 5 farmers, from around the valley, own up to 20 cows each.
During the 3 month summer window when the cows are milked, the cows
are moved up into the mountains into the one 'big' herd. The alpine
grasses and herbs give the Alp Kase a regionally distinctive flavour.
Meanwhile, down in the valley, the farmers cut the grass and store it
for feeding their cows over the winter. It was quite amazing seeing
some of the steep slopes they managed to cut grass from!!
We were treated to a symphony of cow bells as the cows were eating
from the mountain pastures - it made us question how the cows aren't
driven insane by the constant 'ding ding ding' everytime they move.
Believe this or not (I think someone's telling stories), but
apparently the Swiss cows are very proud of their bells, the bigger,
the better!
After a fantastic mittengessen (lunch - we certainly aren't going
hungry in any German speaking countries now :-), and goodbyes to
Susanne and Peter (we look forward to seeing you in NZ also) - we
headed up the valley for more wundaban (wonderful) views all around.
Then last, but not least, we visited the Salginatobel Bridge - voted
the most beautiful bridge of the 20th century and one of 47+
structures voted as World Monuments due to outstanding engineering
(thinking of you Dave). This group includes the Eiffel Tower, Statue
of Liberty, Panama Canal, and of course the Raurimu Railway Spiral
right at home in the central North Island.
The Salginatobel Bridge is a 132 metre structure spanning the small
Salgina brook 90 metres below. With huge cliffs on each side, the
bridge is very impresive, it spans the narrow gorge cliffs and makes
access to mountain farms on the other side so much easier.
More fantastic food, more charades during Arbengessen and we were done
for the day!!
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