Letters from Marion: Hobbit-ing Around

Waking up in the valley of Lauterbrunnen is one of the best feelings.

The nearby waterfall glitters down the cliffs, spitter-spattering against the rocks in a delightful little rhythm that is one of the most peaceful noises to welcome you to the new day. The view is just stunning on a blue sky day with a clear line down the valley.

We hopped on the local bus and wound our way through the imposing cliffs to a favourite lunch spot. There were a few travellers chatting away and we met one young wanderer who had never even seen mountains before - well he'd come to the right place that's for sure!

The restaurant is nothing fancy, but a gorgeously quaint little find, snuggled in at the end of the valley, with spotty tablecloths and a traditional menu.

There was platefuls of rosti.

Rosti is often considered to be the National Dish of Switzerland and it was originally eaten by farmers for breakfast, but now you find it everywhere! The potatoes are roughly grated up and fried into a kind of patty. Eat it covered in ham with a good layer of melting cheese smothered on top!

There was also fresh fish that had been captured in the river running by.

Once we'd fuelled up we walked back down the valley, home to the village.

Lauterbrunnen is a beautiful place and has a few claim to fames! J.R.R Tolkien hiked up this way from Interlaken in 1911 and the stunning surroundings of the valley provided inspiration for his amazing creation, Rivendell (one for Hobbit and LOTR fans out there!) It also features in Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

The beautiful landscape is a star in its own right though.

We wandered past cascading waterfalls with base-jumpers causing squeals as they flung themselves from the cliffs above.

The waterfalls provided a relaxing sound-track and brunnen actually means spring or fountain and the valley actually has 72 thundering waterfalls. The Staubbach Falls are the most famous and it plunges down almost 300 metres as it streams over an overhanging rock. It is one of the highest free-falling waterfalls and is the one you hear as you drift off to sleep, falling just to the edge of the village.