Remember my laser eye surgery 6 months ago? Well, many times on this trip I have appreciated the fact that I no longer have to wear glasses or contact lenses, or swap between glasses and sunglasses every time I go in a shop/cafe/etc. Today however, I really appreciated my new eyesight. This morning I was in a magnificent thermal bath in the middle of the mountains in Leukerbad, looking out at the vista without misting up.

The view from the spa is fantastic, looking out onto craggy mountains and snowy peaks, with cable cars and hang-gliders in the foreground. The weather today is perfect, hot and sunny with a light breeze, warm enough even for a spot of sun bathing on the spa terraces.

From our position on the terrace we were able to see the ‘cows coming home’ ceremony. Every September the cows are brought down from the mountains where they have been grazing all summer and this day (different in every town) is a treated as a festival. The cows are dressed up to wear flowers on their heads and huge clanging bells around their necks, and the local people wear traditional dress. It’s a crazy sight and sound as the procession winds its way down the mountain, a cacophony of ringing which sounds like the peel of bells at a wedding ceremony.

So all in all, not your usual day at the office.

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