Chamonix
Today was the day to visit Chamonix as I was keen that the tops be clear for our visit. Having discovered that a rail pass then discounts the gondolas if traveled the same day we needed to be away in good time so was pleased when we departed at nine having waited for the supermarket to open at eight thirty.
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| Alison and Simon |
It was Alison, our Welsh neighbour's birthday today so the children were frantically making cards before we left meaning she also got to endure our singing Happy Birthday which she took in good heart.
Arriving Chamonix, the main road into town was closed and we had a frustrating time as the GPS kept navigating us back to the main road which was closed. Finally made it in to find the public car park that we used previously closed for lane repainting. In the end chanced a free park in a lane near the station so that saved much and made up a bit for the time lost.
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| From the village |
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| Fyfe |
Montenvers-mer de Glace
Purchasing our tickets for the railway I asked for a family pass (two adults and two children) for one hundred euros. She asked how old Iris was to which Iris replied fourteen. The lady said that as Iris was a child I had to buy one adult and three children for one hundred and thirty euro. I responded by passing over my credit card with a pained look.
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| Obligatory selfie at the station - the four remainers |
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| It really is steep, 11% - 22% gradient |
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| Iris got us the seat behind the driver |
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| Pulling nearly eight hundred Amps |
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| The line is five km and rises eight hundred and seventy one metres |
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| Traveling 14 to 21 kph during the 20 minute journey |
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| Train in background, gondola down to the glacier (halfway down now due to the glaciers retreat) |
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| Eight cars are in pairs and the lift stops for egress |
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| Top station at 1,913m |
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| Many climbers with ropes, helmets and ice axes on the train |
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| The station (and tat shop of course) |
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| The lift now only takes you halfway down to the glacier |
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| Fifteen years ago the glacier was up to here |
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| Three years ago it was here |
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| Glacier above the caves covered with white cloth |
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Its a long climb up to the lift.
Many people struggling on this hot day |
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| The ice caves carved out by water are impressive |
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| Some ice sculptures |
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| Descending |
Le Brévent
Accessed by first a Gondola (1,000 metre climb) then a fast 45kph cable car (500m climb in one span) this was a must do. On purchasing the tickets it was only another forty euro with the train discount. After paying I mentioned the family pass to the seller and she said "thats not right" and re-ticketed giving me back thirty five euro in cash making it only an additional five euro. very pleasing.
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| Ro supervising the gondola operator. |
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| Wizzing up, ski runs turn onto grassy fields here |
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| Snow |
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| Chamonix a long way below |
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| Train and Disco |
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| One coming up, one going down |
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| 5,000ft above the village things were ten degrees colder |
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| My cap backwards to use Fyfe's camera |
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| Cog railway line zig-zagging up the hill |
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| Snow fight.... |
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| .... my hands are freezing |
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| Mt Blanc |
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| Two panoramas |
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Half way down, admiring Mt Blanc
Could have stayed here hours |
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| Roman loved this little vernacular |
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| Paraponters climbing away from us |
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| Parapont harness at the bottom |
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| Back at the station to collect the car Roman found this cog drive |
Arrived back at camp to find neighbours very pleased with themselves. They had hired a boat whereupon Simon had proposed, Alison sporting a large rock which the children declared to be much bigger than Mummy's to Alison and Simon's embarrassment.
Holyport UK
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Picnic lunch in Cliveden woods earlier to hide from this ridiculous heat.
Amelia and Audrey |
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Not sure if you can see in the photo,
but Audrey and Holly are dealing with the heatwave by setting up a garden hose shower.
However it's just a smite too cold to walk under unprotected! |
What a great day. Definitely one to remember
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