The Switzerland Traveler

OK, I’ll admit that I couldn’t resist it. You all seem to love cows so much that I’m pandering to your wishes by telling you about the next bovine event in the calendar.

Each year various towns and villages in Switzerland celebrate the return of their beloved cows from the rich mountain pastures.

It gets a bit chilly up in the hills in winter, and the cows don’t like snow that much, so in the autumn the cows and farmers come down to the huts in the villages. The event is invariable celebrated by dressing up;  the farmers in traditional blue smocks, and the cows are decorated with bunches of mountain flowers. And ludicrously large bells.

This weekend, the ceremony of choice takes place at Küblis, near Landquart (which those of you who have skied at Davos or Klosters may recall is where you leave the motorway if you are driving to the resort).

But it’s not just cows, oh no. There are family fun events, such as a market for alpine products (cheese, sausages and dried meat – a local speciality) a bob run, and lots of small animals for children to play with, all accompanied by the sound of alp horns.

And then there are the sheep, who also like to get in on the act. More cheese, and a shepherd’s bar will delight, but the highlight will undoubtedly be the sheep shearing competition on Saturday at 13:00.

If that’s not enough, then relish the selection of the Alpine King or Queen, determined by various competitions (obstacle course, juggling with walking sticks, whipping cream etc).

If you go, please let me know how you get on – I don’t think I can face the excitement!

The fun starts on 4th October and runs until Sunday 7th. Full details and picture credit: http://www.alpspektakel.ch/

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