Hand lettering, and a trip to the alps

I've always liked drawing words and adding them to my sketches. A few years ago, I even took some calligraphy classes. Yet, handlettering is, in many ways, new to me, and something I want to explore more.

Above my new mantra, to remind me to not allow expectation, and the ensuing frustration, to take over.  I've started to take my sketchbook to work again, and to try and sketch in my lunch breaks as much as possible. There's only one weapon to fight the deadly pair - practice.

I'm enjoying a week's holiday this week. Since N had to work over Christmas and New Year, and we couldn't spend the holidays together, he came over this week for my birthday. We're taking it easy, relax and just go to the city or for walks. But on Wednesday, we set the alarm clock and got up early to spend the day in the mountains. We headed to the Berner Oberland, first to the picturesque village of Wengen, with its lovely wooden chalets and a view of the highest of the majestic trio, the Jungfrau.

 

Then we took the train up to the Kleine Scheidegg. Even up here, at 2,061m altitude, it was warm, especially in the sun, but at least there was plenty of snow. We spent some time lying in deck chairs, sipping tea and enjoying the sun. It was just absolutely perfect. From here, you can take the train to go up to the Jungfraujoch, also called Top of Europe, at 3,466m (we're saving that trip for another time).

There is no doubt that a trip up to the Jungfraujoch is an absolute highlight for many people, and I still rememer the ice caves up there from when I was a child, over 30 years ago.

But the most impressive view must be the infamous Eiger north face. That 1,800m almost vertical wall of rock and ice, one of the most dangerous and difficult ascents, which has attracted, fascinated and challenged many climbers, and claimed the lives of at least 64 of them since the first attempts of ascent in the mid 1930. I have to say, it's a complete mistery to me how anyone would even consider the thought of trying and climb up that mountain face! I much rather enjoy the view from the bottom.

We then took the train down the other side, to Grindelwald and walked around there for a bit before, tired but happy, taking the long journey back home. One of my intentions for this year is to take the occasional trip up to the mountains, something I haven't done for far too long. And this trip certainly was a good strat. Mountains are just good for my soul.

A day spent high up in the mountains and the snow - me, I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday.

Eiger (3,970m), Mönch (4,107m) and Jungfrau (4,158m)