Fun in the sun

Well, the whole point of the blog was to try and keep a record of some of the many things we get up to whilst in residence in the Chamonix Valley. That, and to perhaps inspire you to do the same, and maybe even book a week in the apartment so that you can. But as we seem to be so busy each time we visit, there never seems to be much time left in the day for writing about our exploits.

Family portrait at the Grand Montets

Take this last week for example. The temperatures have been creeping into the 30's every day, and the pool has seen much action. But every day we've been out and about doing something. The list includes gondola accessed downhill mountain biking out of Vallorcine, biking on more relaxed gradients down past Le Buet, walking in the Grand Montets, both uphill to see the Argentiere Glacier and downhill to our favourite at Cafe Lavancher.

Sam, not far from the final descent to Vallorcine

Jodie, finding her stride in the woods below the Col Des Montets

Get used to it! Playing catch up.

Sam. Le Buet in the background.

The bike friendly train - and it's free with your Carte D'Hote!

Sam. Below the Col des Montets and ripping it up on the Foret Verte

Near the Col de Dalme chairlift - entering the Foret Verte

Taking in the view at the Argentiere Glacier.

Then there was the trip to the Emosson Dam on the worlds' steepest funicular. at 87% it was steep. And long. But while the nerves held out, the views were stunning, though it is a bizarre place to be riding on a narrow gauge train. And I did think that having paid the not insubstantial fee to ride up there, it would be some time before I would be there again. But funnily enough, the road bikes came out at the crack of dawn this morning and we climbed just shy of 1000m to the dam - before breakfast!

The first of 3 stages - up from the frontier village of Chattelard

Next it's round the cliffs of the precipice hugging steam train.

Another rather steep ride to the top!

And finally, the Emosson Dam.

And speaking of silly bike rides at the crack of dawn, there was also that first train to Martigny and the ride back over the Col de Forclaz and Col Des Montets. Another 1000m straight up - but more before lunch rather than breakfast, as it did take quite a while to get both there and back.

So, busy, busy... With so much to see and do you'll excuse the lack of posts!