Chamonix
– Mont Blanc
After Annecy we took a wee side trip to
Chamonix, a sweet little village at the base of Mont Blanc. The New Zealand
team were having a rare day off the bikes and since it was only a couple hours
by bike to Switzerland (the following day) it was a nice spot to hang out in
and explore before they hit the track in Aigle for a short stint before heading
back to Belgium.
The kids and I arrived just in time to join
the team heading to the telecabine for the fairly quick 1282 metre haul up to
Plan de l’Aiguill, the first change over point. We made the decision not to
tell the kids about the possibility of the car ‘swinging’ at the top due to the
wind and joined the bus load of Japanese tourists in the cue. The second cable car (somehow they can squish in up to 72 people) took
us the rest of the way to Aiguill du Midi at 3842 metres above sea level.
Chamonix itself sits at 1035 metres and Mont Blanc at 4810 metres. All in all it is a long way up.
When we visited Chamonix 6 years ago with the
kids we were not allowed up in the telecabine due to the kid’s ages and the quick
increase in altitude affecting their young ear drums. So on our previous visit
we took a 20 minute red tourist train up
to Montenvers – Mer de Glace (1913m) one of Europe’s biggest active glaciers.
At 11 km long and up to 400 metre thick it was a stunning sight.
We were very thankful for a stunning clear
day giving us the opportunity to explore a different side of the region this
time round.
I think it is just best if I let the photos
do the talking....when I can get them uploaded, and are allocated more time on line. Hot spots are in hot demand here.
We are going to be based here in Leysin for 2
more weeks and then we will hit the road for Bordeaux, 859km across France. All this to
catch up with Tim for his ‘girls’ birthdays on the 12th of July.
This coming week I will put together a few
things on Leysin and get the kids to head out on their bikes with their cameras
for a view of the village.
Till then take care and be safe. x
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