They like to milk it, their Alpine pastures, but we’ll still follow the Swiss till the cows come home.
Countries have a sound, Arabic nations their call to prayers, these islands of Britain and Ireland their curlews and the Swiss their cow bells.
Me, I like to wake up with Bajan beauty Rihanna, but that’s another story.
Cow bells are the first thing you hear on a morning in Switzerland.
Or should be… for me it was my guide Rosie in Interlaken, banging at the door telling me I was holding up the party.
It might just be the peel of one bell which triggers another before a chorus fills the air.
Wholly cow
At this time of year, of course, it is a symphony when the Swiss celebrate Désalpe.
The tradition Rindyà (descent from the mountain pastures in patois) marks the end of summer.
When every fourth Saturday of September the cattle return from the high alpine pastures.
With cows adorned with flowered headdresses and bells.
This colourful spectacle is paired with traditional music, dancing, and local delicacies.
And that means Alpine horn, yodelling we hope and flag throwers, country orchestras and brass bands.
The big cheeses
Of course, wherever Swiss gather there is cheese… Gruyère anyone?
And that runs parallel with the stands of almost 40 craftsmen and women.
Look out too for the Poya (paintings depicting the migration of the herds to and from their Alpine pastures).
Helpfully notres amis have steered us, much like their cows, to the best places to stay in Charmey.
In the Fribourg region, 84kms east of Geneva Airport, fly SwissAir from £148.
Charmant Charmey
We’re reliably informed that Le Saint Georges is the place to go.
And they offer two nights with one meal per person from 398 Swiss Francs or £356.
Now, for the locals who trek the hills daily and the cows who live in these fields, get to enjoy the Alpine views daily.
Of the Moléson and the Fribourg Pre-Alps.
For the rest of us we can take it all in from the comfort of the Charmey cable car.
Chocs away
Or if you’re feeling more agile then you can hike or bike through the valley trails.
And build up an appetite for those cheeses and the chocolate, the Maison Cailler chocolate factory in the little village of Broc.
And then lie back and think of Switzerland.
At Les Bains de la Gruyère, where pools are heated to 34 degrees and steam rises from the water.
Whatever your reasons then for going out to Tobleroneland, why not follow us and the Swiss till the cows come home?