Dear Readers, it snowed again overnight, so we decided to do a low-level walk from Zwieselstein, which is at the place where the Gurgl and Vent valleys meet, to Sölden. This is a relatively easy walk, but the first one on ‘proper’ mountain paths, so I was hoping to build up a bit of confidence. Plus, although short it is a lovely path alongside a raging river, studded with giant boulders and full of botanical interest, so let’s go! But first, we pause to admire the hotel on the right in the photo, which looks a little like something out of the Flintstones, and appears to be emerging out of a pile of local rock.

Every field around here contains several giant chunks of rock, which look as if they’re advancing, millimetre by millimetre, towards the river below.

Some of the boulders which are balanced on the riverbank are habitats in themselves, encrusted with everything from lichens and mosses to young willow trees.

 

And the river rushes on, milky-white. Just look at the size of some of those boulders!

I have never seen so many orchids as I have this year along this path. The leaves of this one make me think it’s a Heath Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata) – although it’s growing in woodland here, it seems to generally prefer a damp habitat, and there’s something very rain-foresty about this habitat.

This was my prize plant today, though – a Martagon Lily (Lilium martagon). What a surprise to find it here! Also known as the Turk’s Cap Lily (because the flowers were thought to resemble a turban), this is one of those plants that I’m more familiar with in a garden, rather than growing wild.

And here’s an old friend – this is the Woolly Cobweb Houseleek (Sempervivum arachnoideum ssp tormentum) – they grow where there is practically no soil, on sunny sites (this is an exposed rock way above Sölden).

Well, this is the highest point on the walk, so now we start our descent into the village.

As it’s been so wet, there are lots of these chaps about – I think this one is a Brown Soil Slug (Arion distinctus). I hope it got a move on, as the path is also frequented by (very polite) mountain bike riders, so the chance of getting squished by boot or bike wheel is relatively high.

And clearly Mr/s Slug hasn’t found this Alpine Strawberry yet – they’re amongst my favourite fruits, each tiny berry a pop of concentrated strawberry taste. If it hadn’t been for the precipitous drop just behind this plant I’d had had to have a taste.

And here’s one of my favourite gardens – the sculpture of the head is extraordinary, and I love the little snail next to the ‘temple’ on the left.

And finally, here’s a little robot, which I’m pretty sure was also mowing this extensive lawn when we were here two years ago. Look at it pottering about, dutifully doing its job! I don’t know if any of you out there have read any China Miéville science fiction, but I’m muchly reminded of ‘Perdido Street Station’, where all the little household robots rise up to take on the challenge of a much larger foe. Gawd help us if the Roombas and the lawnmowers ever get together. Anyhow, enjoy! What I liked was all the blackbirds and sparrows flying around and taking advantage of the exposed insects – you see a flock of them zoom past in the first video. I’m not sure that the lawn actually needs mowing at the moment, though? Is this a constant task, a bit like painting the Forth Bridge?