Désalpe II

The sun was shining gloriously, even though there was a crispness in the fall air that hinted of the cooler weather than will soon be arriving.  In the second passage of the bell ringers,

I noticed something that I had completely missed the first time they passed.  Some were wearing strange contraptions that Friend P, who comes from a small village in Bavaria in Germany where these traditions also exist, explained to me were milk stools, tied around the waist so that the milkers could sit at any moment the younger cows were still and milk them while they were grazing.

It sounded like a hazardous summer pastime to me!  In the meantime, the playground area in the center of the circuit was beginning to fill up with children and their families in the intervals between the arrival of the different herds

and there were donkeys pulling decorated carts and giving rides to the children as well.

We continued to stroll along the road, making way from time to time for the decorated Queens of the Day

as they placidly continued their journey downwards.

When we spied a small decorated area, featuring some beautiful bouviers Bernois, Sweet Momma I decided to introduced her oldest daughter, Princess L, to this Swiss breed, not as well-known outside Switzerland as the more famous Saint-Bernards.

Princess L was not too sure exactly how gentle these lovely dogs were,

they looked very large to her, for all her four years, and she clutched her cute little turtle for dear life!

A bit later, Princess L showed little sis, Princess E, 2, around the displays.

The two darling little ones looked so precious wandering through them.

Baby sis, Princess C, at six months, watched and laughed from the safety of her stroller, thoroughly enjoying being outside and part of the action.

None of the little ones minded the noise - and it was loud, as this video shows.

After a thoroughly enjoyable autumn morning, we said our good-byes and went off to complete our respective weekend tasks,

bidding "Au revoir" to St-Cergue until our next visit.