May 27: Sent – to church

Since in 2005 I explored all of the towns on the left side of the En between Zernez and Scuol, I decided to venture beyond Scuol this time. On this day I wanted to see Sent, the next town downstream from Scuol. Just the train to Scuol and then a bus. Simple.

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On the way, the En looking rather sedimentary.

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More spring yellowry. I think these may all be dandelions, despite looking more like buttercups at this remove.

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Trees against sky, grass against sky. I think this may be the valley leading up to the Flüelapass, as this was close to Susch.

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Due to the window detailing being similar to the local railway stations, I've figured this is a switching station. Regardless, it's a really neat building — nice proportions, and the rows of embedded round stones are a great touch.

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This would be a great crashsledding hill.

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After the village of Lavin, Kühe serenely sunning and snacking.

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Another tier of content cows.

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It's a farm! It's a monastery! It's... Guarda!

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Then the tower of the old Chastè Steinsberg hove into view over the Queen Anne's Lace, heralding our arrival at Ardez.

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At which point we had to get off the train because there was track work or something being done before Scuol, an echo of the previous day's transit adventure. A woman who turned out to live in Sent advised me of this when she noticed I didn't seem to be understanding the train announcement very well. It was a straightforward bus ride to continue to Sent, just an earlier transfer than expected. Anyway, when we arrived in Sent she invited me for Kaffee & Kuchen at her house, where I met her husband and kids and had a very pleasant time sitting outside and conversing with them, in a mix of English and Deutsch. I still really appreciate that hospitality — above and beyond!

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After that I explored all around Sent. Here, a glimpse of the distinctively nubbly church spire.

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Like many of the Unterengadin towns, Sent is perched high on a hillside, affording grand framed views of the mountains across the valley.

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A bold roof profile and quite old-looking sgraffito. I wonder why the ibex-frame is impinged upon by the window below, and why it appears to be cut off above. The palimpsest of sgraffito is often fascinating.

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A delightful typical Engadin streetscape. Note the quoins on the yellowish building at left — they're painted, but since the sun angle is consonant with their imaginary lighting angle, they're especially trompe-l'oeil.

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A slightly fuller view of the church. The church was built in the late 15th century, but the tower is much newer and, I just discovered via that article, is made of stained glass!