Well up a long valley in the Swiss Alps there is a hidden stream with smooth rock basins, or pools. It is in a cool, shady ravine not far, but well screened from the narrow road and walking track. A place where children paddle on a hot summer day, with low water, or maybe a quick skinny dip later in the evening.
My visit was on a fall day with it's weakening sun and long shadows. It had snowed a couple of days before and the glacier blue-grey water was full and between it's turbulence and temperature did not tempt me to even wade.
The forest has a palpable spirit here, with trees growing out of cleft rocks and twisted trunks looking like wise, bearded faces. If there are fairies or wood nymphs, surely they dwell here in under the canopy of the trees and music of the stream.
I don't believe in any of that, but did leave some of my lunch for the fairies...just in case.
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