Although we were whisked from lake level into the rarefied air in a matter of minutes we took the warning notices with a snowball.  As we strolled easily for a few kilometres along a waymarked walk to enjoy a drop of gluwein in a nearby hut we assumed we'd taken to our first experience of altitude in stride.  Next day we slept late hardly able to lift our heads from the pillow.  However some knowledge of acclimatisation allayed any anxiety and reassured me that this temporary effect could be overcome should I wish to venture into the high mountains in the future.

The sting in the tail of the Trummelbach Falls circular trail came too late for me do more than grit my teeth.  Many alpine paths utilise sections of ladder to overcome what would otherwise be short rock climbing pitches.  Unfortunately the presence of such an obstacle on an otherwise delightful walk through Alpine meadows wasn't obvious either from the map or our route guide.  Tired and two thirds of the way I had no energy to retrace my steps.  Necessity certainly motivated my clinging claws and clenched teeth. Afterwards, though I had no recollection of how I reached the bottom, I felt some sense of achievement.

Switzerland certainly served up some cultural challenges.  Addicts exchanging a fix in an underpass as we hurried past showed us the shadow side of classy and correspondingly expensive Geneva.  The only place I've ever thought I might run out of money a few days into a holiday.  No fear, just fury in Berne at the archaic barbarism of the bear pit complete with sad, scared and shabby occupants.

Despite the trials of our lengthy train trek to Zermatt, I must admit to some secret satisfaction when low cloud closed the Kleine Matterhorn cable car.  Tired and tested to the full I gladly let Monte Rosa's rack railway rest my resources.  When the returning plane swept across Alps, dusted with September snow, I was so eager to photograph the scene the stewardess questioned whether I was the nervous passenger.

Over five years various strategies fell into place. Most related either to preparation and planning or distraction.  I found independently organised trips using scheduled flights more relaxed and less stressful than packages.  However, without the service of holiday company reps abroad, destinations needed to be thoroughly researched before departure in order to minimise anxiety-provoking uncertainties.

The carriers we flew with (Britannia, Dan Air, Iceland Air and British Airways) did everything in their power to meet my "special needs" and put me at ease including annotating their records "nervous passenger".  Being escorted between baffling Heathrow terminals by a kindly British Airways rep. particularly springs to mind.