mark's blog

Cycling around Lac d'Annecy

After a morning completing my French tax return I needed a break!

I set off from my home towards Annecy, passing by the edge of Albertville, Ugine and then picking up the cycle track that uses the old railway line.  Soon I was at Doussard and watching some paragliders coming into land.

Rather than continue on the cycle path I followed the road through some small villages before meeting the track again.  There were people sunbathing on the grass beaches close to the lake; it was in the 30's but I didn't see poeple in the water.

Chalet Savoie Faire - Cooking classes & beautiful accommodation

I went to visit Nikki from www.chaletsavoiefaire.com in the small hamlet of Naves.  Naves is perched high above the Tarentaise valley opposite the resort of Valmorel.

In winter Naves has cross-country ski trails and is an excellent spot for snowshoe walking too.  Facing South it's a really sunny spot; no deep shadows in the winter.

"Take the key to the fields" - Prenez le clef des champs

An annual  "open" day at farms and other local producers today.  We visited a farm at the Col du Tamie close to the monastery and had a tour of the farm.  Some other producers were also there so there was a chance to find out more about snail production and taste some wines produced in Haute Savoie.Snails

Wines from Haute Savoie

Cycling in Savoie

I took the most of the sunny warm weather yesterday to go out on my bike.  I headed through the small village of Esserts-Blay with the sound of cow bells tinkling from the nearby fields.  The small back road that follows the river Isere was nice and peaceful and there were a few herds of goats in the neighbouring fields.

French Presidential Election

In the final days before the 2nd  and final round for the French Presidential elections the tension mounts.  Which way will France go?  Being a foreigner; I can't vote so I'm simply an observer.

The commune where I live has certainly expressed a wish for the policies of Marine Le Pen, the Front National candidate who go almost 19% of the national vote; a record.  The results for my commune are below:

The Cevennes - Stevenson's Trail but no donkey!

Just back from a long weekend in the Cevennes, covering the Gard and Lozere departments.  The weather, to put it politely, was somewhat mixed but we managed to make the most of it and enjoy some good walking.

We were based at St Jean de Gard at a lovely gite d'étape.  I will post some pictures once I get them downloaded when I'm back home.

Safety on the Ski Slopes

An interesting article in today's Dauphine Libere newspaper regarding safety on the pistes.

"Yesterday morning at the court room in Albertville magistrates, lawyers, mayors of ski resorts and piste directors, police discussed and shared their experiences on the issue of regulations in ski areas.

Snowshoe Walking Weekend in the Beaufortain, Savoie

Arriving at Geneva airport on Friday in the spring sunshine I waited for my new group of clients for a snowshoe walking weekend in the Beaufortain.  The weather has been incredibly mild and sunny; more like May than mid-March!  However the snow is still more than sufficient for both snowshoeing and skiing.

Snowshoeing above Meribel, Savoie

The amazing spring-like weather continued today when Tim, Christine and I traversed the long ridge starting from Tougnete, via the Montagne de Cherferie and ending near the Col de la Lune.  The traverse to the refuge de la Traie took about 4 hours with most of it above 2000m.

The panoramas were outstanding with clear blue skies alllowing a fine view of the Grande Casse, Le Meije, Mont Blanc and the myriad of other mountains. 

Location

Meribel Meribel
France

Ski Touring, Maurienne

I met up with friends at St Etienne de Cuines in the Maurienne valley on Saturday morning to enjoy a great day out with blue skies, some good powder and good company.

Location

France
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