Drifts of white crocuses

Across the meadows, as the snow drifts retreat, fresh drifts of white and pale purple crocuses are bursting out and basking in the sun's surprising warmth.

The farmers are working to repair fences which are staggering drunkenly beside the fields having been shoved aside by the snow plough as it struggled to keep the lanes clear. In the gardens, there are broken branches, battered bushes and burgeoning buds. The birds are busy with homemaking and courtship.

Embach is clearing up the damage left by the short but intense winter: just three months but with some extremely low temperatures and more snow than has been seen for a good 30 years. Now, the snow is slowly loosening its grip on the north facing slopes and the lower meadows are awash with melt water. Cattle frolic and jump about to loosen up as they venture outside their stalls for the first time in months.

Skis are being returned to the cellars and children are rediscovering their bikes as the school holiday begins. Washing can once again hang outside to dry and windows cleaned without the water freezing on the glass.

April is a month when few tourists are to be seen in the village, hotels and restaurants close while staff take a break, all is quiet except for the village band practising for its spring concert.

The view from here is turning from cool white to spring green.