Me Tarzan, you Jane...

One final bit of fun before the long journey back to the Highlands. Back down to Chamonix again and the Parc de Loisirs for some jungle fun on the roped course through the trees.


With 3 different levels in the Parcours D'Aventure its possible for wee Sam to have a shot on his very own course through the trees, with a watchful eye being kept from a very safe spot on terra firma right next to him. Despite some slight concern that he wouldn't be quite so bold when it came to it, Sam loved the 'mini foret' and chances are he'll be moving on up the grade to the petit foret as soon as age and height permit.


Jodie meanwhile climbed high from the start on the 'Petit Foret' course, with me in tow keeping a close eye on the karabiners and safety procedures. And what great fun it was too! Climbing steep ladders (and a climbing wall), traversing high wires and suspended logs, swinging into cargo nets, and probably best of all, the zip wires. And all without batting an eyelid! No Fear!


Not sure whether you're supposed to or not, but we enjoyed it so much that we went back round many of the sections for a second go! And the parc is open till the end of October, so if we get chance in October and the weather holds there's a very good chance that we'll be back for more very soon.


As the course is located in the trees at the top of the Planards ski run, just on the outskirts of Chamonix, you need to catch the chairlift to get up to it. But this also means that on the way down, there's another run on the summer luge included in the price of the ticket!

So that's all for this trip to Argentiere and the Chamonix valley. Back again in a few weeks with the mountain bikes to have a go at the Tour of Mont Blanc.

Trains, gondolas and luges

The market comes to Chamonix on a Saturday. Has to be said it’s a bit bigger and a fair bit better than the one that comes along to Fort William! If strange sausages wrapped in hairnets and stinky cheese, made even more stinky by the near 30 degrees heat, are your bag, then you’ll love the market.
Apart from just wondering around, it’s a fine spot to head to if you’re looking to buy fruit and veg (be warned, its easy to spend a small fortune), rotisserie chickens, herbs and spices, fresh fish, bread, flowers, honey, jams… and the list goes on. Just choose a cooler Saturday.


Being in town for a change, we popped across to the Parc de Loisirs and had a bash at the summer luge amongst other things. Have to say that having seen this on numerous visits over the years I’ve always wondered quite what the craic is. However, I can now tell you that its 5 Euros well spent. Being a bit of a hit all round, we found ourselves there again the following day with a multiple ride ticket. Me & Sam were definitely fastest over the 1.8km course.


Back to the hills today for another walk. Took the train from Argentière up the valley this time and through to Vallorcine. Great spot, although Le Buet probably has the edge. Right outside the train station there’s the new gondola to take you up to the Balme (Le Tour) ski area. Check out the mountain bike downhill course that runs under the gondola. Looks good.


Once at the top of the gondola its just a short walk to the Col des Possettes. Big view down the valley, a few cows in the meadow (just follow the bells) and an Alpage for a very civilised refreshment. Nice spot! From there its an easy and steadily downhill walk to the Charamillon gondola (more beer and ice cream opportunities). Being hardy folk, we continued on down towards Le Tour, taking time to stop and break out the sandwiches in a suitably scenic spot. Then on down to Montroc where hot feet, a need for ice cream and a convenient passing bus meant that the walk was cut short of Argentière but that the terrace at Hotel Le Dahu was reached much quicker. Mmmm!


Feeling quilty after a bit of (over) indulgence I headed out onto the Petite Balcon Nord for a blast on the mountain bike, while Caroline and the kids booked their place by the pool. An hour later I was in there cooling off with them. Another fantastic day out for the family in the Chamonix valley!