Final French Alps post

Day 7

Today was a rest day, and this meant a cheeky lie in after the previous long day. Morgan and Phil left early-ish to go for a cycle up one of the Col’s whilst Rif, John and I stayed in the Gite for a while to take in the relatively warm weather. Our plan was to head out and find a Via Ferrata to do in the morning, and then go into Briançon Old Town in the afternoon. However on arrival at the first V.F it was closed for repair, and the second one had been torn down, so obviously the world was against us doing any form of activity, and I can’t lie; I wasn’t that concerned, I could have put my feet up all day and let my troubles float away.

So we had lunch and headed to Briançon Old Town just as everything was closing. I can’t get used to this 3 hour lunch that the French seem to have, I like the sound of it, but I can’t see it being the most productive of working practices. But anyway, we found a pub open and got a drink to the pass the time for the shops to open, where we split up to have a look around. Walking down the main ‘strip’ every touristy shop you pass, a really annoying high pitched wolf whistle comes from the toy marmots. I hated them, who wants to buy someone a present that makes a crappy noise every time something happens in front of it.

Anyway, I’m not going to go on about a relatively uninteresting day.

Day 8

We were greeted by rain this morning, and this was not a nice start to the last day. Travelling up to the Gyr to have a look and see if it was going, everyone was looking fairly down and out. Being marginally tired from a long weeks top class boating and rain didn’t seem to mix. The Gyr was also super low, and as we were there, we went up to the Onde. This was looking more promising, seeming to be at an equally high level as before. Today Rif was going to jump on, and was eager, whilst Phil and I were less so. Waiting to see whether the weather would improve I jumped into a Sudoku. However on completion the weather was still looking grey, but then again my superior Sudoku solving skills didn’t give nature much time! So Rif, Phil and I kitted up and jumped on. The level seemed to be slightly more technical this time round, but still producing nice read and run fun, but very few eddies. We shot down it again, making a similar time to the van and the weather at the end was looking much better. This was a very pleasant little run, with a firm and brisk hand shake at the bottom to sign off the boating we had done. The Gyr didn’t seem to get any water all day, and we had a beer each in Vallious before heading back to the Gite to get things ready for the drive home. A meal out in the evening saw the end of the holiday, and although the food was good, the table service was very much below par.

The evening ended like most: cards, beers and banter.

Day 9

The drive back through France was easy, the weather was perfect – sunny enough to look beautiful, and cool enough to make the van comfortable, we were in Calais before we really knew it. A hop on the Tunnel, and we were back in beautiful England where the roads were just as kind to us.

This was a tremendous trip, and the levels were as expected, very very tastey! The group was a good laugh and the boating was amazing, I always enjoy the French Alps, and the latest edition of the French Alps Guide Book is brilliant.

I hope the last few posts have been interesting reads for people, and that maybe a few smiles arose. I will endeavour to put some footage together, albeit just head-cam so unlikely to be the best, and will get the video of me in the drink up also.

Cheers for reading, and to all those heading to France soon I wish good luck and have fun!