We were really looking forward to this day: Visiting Charetalp, the Betschart family, with their goats and - yes - a 1000 sheep. However, the day did not start well. After an excellent breakfast at Hotel Engel in Emmetten, we drove to Bisisthal, or better, we tried to. Because of the heavy rainfall over weeks, the situation in Switzerland was dire. Most lakes flooded their shores, mud- and rockslides everywhere. And in the end, we had to take three detours and lost over an hours' time.

We finally reached the destination, and with the cable car we went up to Glattalp. Some blue spots in the sky nurtured our hope of better weather, because we had a one-and-a-half-hour hike from there, with some steep ascents. Soon a slight drizzle accompanied us, and waves of fog glided over the rocky landscape. Once we reached the final plateau, we first heard and then saw the goats and sheep, roaming freely and climbing steep slopes.

We were greeted at the chalet by Erich Betschard, his dad, the three kids and had lunch with the family. Only Sandra, Erich's wife, was absent: She attended a market.

When we left Charetalp, things got complicated. The drizzle had turned into a steady downpour, and when the path dropped along steep slopes, you had to be careful with each step. Sometimes, the soaked soil just gave in and you slipped. Just before we reached the cable car station, we met Sandra who was on her way back from the market.

We eventually made it back to Bisisthal, pretty wet, we have to admit. But after a 2-hour-drive we were redeemed by our stay at the Hotel Schwägalp: very nice rooms and excellent food.