It was essentially the same walk but a lot further and a lot higher. In fact, we walked 17 km, reached 1,900 meters and gained 1,500 meters in height! Including the time spent looking for mushrooms, it took us 8 hours. At 1,900 meters we were just on the tree line.
It was a superb walk and gave everything in views and beauty that one expects from Switzerland, including the cowbells. As we wound our way around the mountain, the track became narrower and steeper, requiring stepping rather than walking, and watching Jochen ahead of me, I could see that he was certainly getting the exercise he needs. It was so obvious that in the German Shepherd the motor is certainly in the hindquarter.
One thing I find quite amazing is that people walk across fields, step on the electric fencing, walk through cow herds, the walks go right past farm sheds and EVERYWHERE we can take our dogs.
Courtesy demands that we place our dogs on lead when we do go past cows and farm buildings but besides that, they can be off-lead. Making reference to Australia, this is almost unbelievable for me for if this type of country were in Australia it would be declared a national park and no dog would be within a bull's roar of the place. It is such a privilege to be able to walk here with my dog.
On the return at one point we traversed a very steep hillside that did not have a path at all. We had to pick our way as best as we could (again, not a path on any official walking guide). Jochen danced ahead whilst I resolutely kept my eyes on where to place my feet. Looking down the slope was NOT a good idea. It was so steep that with little effort I could touch the hillside above me - which gives you an idea why I did not look down the slope.
So far, I keep giving thanks for Jochen's sound breeding and balanced temperament for such a project as this would be unthinkable with a dog not as calm as he is. I can detect no stress in him whatsoever.