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David and Julie Browning's Travels
Key words for today are COLD, MOUNTAINS, SNOW, COLD, ALPINE, COLD. Did I
mention it is COLD? Woke up this morning and the lake is shrouded in
mist and fog. The temp is down around -2C. Doesn't look too promising
for the drive to Chamonix.
After a quick breakfast we say goodbye to Hotel Beau Site and Lake
Annecy to head off up to Chamonix. Before long the fog has disappeared
to be replaced by clear blue skies and sunshine (temp is still cold -
about 2C). Its not long before we catch our first glimpses of snow
capped mountains ahead. We are driving along a broad flat valley,
surrounded by rocky, craggy peaks, still devoid of snow. Along the way
are numerous small alpine villages. Climbing up through 1000 meters, the
temp is soon dropping into -ve figures again. Building roofs are
covered with light dustings of snow, making for quite picturesque
scenes.
As we climb higher up the valley, more snow
capped peaks are visible - we are well and truly in the Alps. Now comes
the scary bit - going down into the valley. The road has turned into a
goat track, with numerous hairpin bends with sheer drop-offs (judging by
the white nuckles Julie doesn't seem to be enjoying this part of the
journey). However we make it safely to the bottom, and soon we are onto a
major highway for the rest of the trip into Chamonix.
Chamonix proves to be everything you would expect of a major ski destination.
Chalets, hotels, towering peaks, and chair lifts going off in all
directions (all closed at this time of the year).
The hotel proves to be fairly easy to find and it isn't long before we are checking in to Hotel Les Aiglons.
Its such a bright sunny day (although quite cold) we decide to take a walk
around the town to take in the sights. Although its Sunday, there are
lots of people out and about. Cafes are open and doing a brisk business.
It's not long before we are sitting in the sun enjoying a glass of red
and one of the best pizzas I've had in a long while.
One day may not be long enough to fully enjoy all that Chamonix has to
offer, but we've seen enough to appreciate it for its beauty and charm.
mention it is COLD? Woke up this morning and the lake is shrouded in
mist and fog. The temp is down around -2C. Doesn't look too promising
for the drive to Chamonix.
After a quick breakfast we say goodbye to Hotel Beau Site and Lake
Annecy to head off up to Chamonix. Before long the fog has disappeared
to be replaced by clear blue skies and sunshine (temp is still cold -
about 2C). Its not long before we catch our first glimpses of snow
capped mountains ahead. We are driving along a broad flat valley,
surrounded by rocky, craggy peaks, still devoid of snow. Along the way
are numerous small alpine villages. Climbing up through 1000 meters, the
temp is soon dropping into -ve figures again. Building roofs are
covered with light dustings of snow, making for quite picturesque
scenes.
As we climb higher up the valley, more snow
capped peaks are visible - we are well and truly in the Alps. Now comes
the scary bit - going down into the valley. The road has turned into a
goat track, with numerous hairpin bends with sheer drop-offs (judging by
the white nuckles Julie doesn't seem to be enjoying this part of the
journey). However we make it safely to the bottom, and soon we are onto a
major highway for the rest of the trip into Chamonix.
Chamonix proves to be everything you would expect of a major ski destination.
Chalets, hotels, towering peaks, and chair lifts going off in all
directions (all closed at this time of the year).
The hotel proves to be fairly easy to find and it isn't long before we are checking in to Hotel Les Aiglons.
Its such a bright sunny day (although quite cold) we decide to take a walk
around the town to take in the sights. Although its Sunday, there are
lots of people out and about. Cafes are open and doing a brisk business.
It's not long before we are sitting in the sun enjoying a glass of red
and one of the best pizzas I've had in a long while.
One day may not be long enough to fully enjoy all that Chamonix has to
offer, but we've seen enough to appreciate it for its beauty and charm.
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