From blue skies and blazing sunshine to thunderstorms and freezing temperatures we have witnessed it all in just four short days in the Alps.
Neither of us are keen winter sport enthusiasts (give us a sunny beach over a mountain full of snow any day) however we must say that there is something entirely captivating about this place.
It was a surprise to learn that the Alps attract more tourists in the summer than they do in the winter. It is full of walkers, mountaineers and those crazy fools who throw themselves of 2000 meter high mountains with only a parachute on their back!
We managed to find ourselves an ideal base just outside Chamonix where we could choose from a myriad of alpine trails right from our front door. The Bossons glacier hangs precariously above us so first stop had to be a visit to pay closer attention.
There is a wooded trail leading from the back of the chalet that took us directly there. In winter you can take the easy option and use the chairlift which is unfortunately closed in the summer months. The weather turned a little nasty as we continued our trek up to the pyramids. However through breaks in the clouds we were still able to get some spectacular views - and so we should from over 2000 meters!! Thankfully we were also able to see the signs ....
Day two and the sun came out again so we had to take the opportunity to jump aboard the Aiguille du Midi (a two stage cable car) which takes you to a height of 3842 meters in just 20 minutes. The vertigo inducing journey crosses the treetops of the pine forrest and the bossons glacier before reaching the summit. The perfect weather conditions permitted a truly breathtaking view of Mont Blanc as well as the surrounding French, Italian and Swiss Alps. Definitely our best “Wow” moment so far!!!
We followed this with a trip on one of the two remaining rack and pinion mountain trains in France which slowly chugged its way to a the base of the Mer de glace (France's biggest glacier). The journey was like stepping back in time. Sat on old wooden benches we wound our way through pine forests and tunnels carved in to the mountainside arriving at an altitude of 1,913 meters in around 30 minutes.
At the top we were able to walk directly to the glacier which due to a tornado last year looked remarkably grey. If it we not for the cracks and crevices which give a brief glimmer of turquoise you would be forgiven for thinking it was just bare rock and grit.
Our final day took us to the smaller valleys of Argentiere and Le Tour where we took a leisurely stroll through the forest and along the river Arve before stopping for a pic-nic and a visit to a random french car boot sale so that Mike could buy some dominos - Malc, he is practicing!!!
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