At last, off and walking!
The quick description: short vehicle ride to the cable car at Les Houches; then 15km through some beautiful and spectacular countryside; a coffee in a farm house with the barn next door-in the farmhouse; lunch was a three course meal (kind of coleslaw entree, steak for main and a fruit mousse for dessert); then to our quaint chalet hotel. Some light rain and mild temperatures throughout the morning. All up a pretty good day! Boots and pack are all good.
A bit more info and pictures.
After waking up and having a hot shower, it was down to the buffet breakfast. The Mercure put on a very good breakfast. Bacon, eggs, those little sausages, fruit, yoghurt, crepes, breads, jams… juice, coffee and tea.
Then we met with our No Roads coordinator, Irene, to get the final briefing and drop off luggage etc. Our man Luca (Mr Big Hair- frizzy, Afro, Rumanian) turn up as one of the drivers. Unfortunately, after a quick chat with him, we were told that he was not our driver today. Our driver came along and we piled into the van. 10-15 minutes and we were at Les Houches for a cable car ride. I can quite handle the going up mountains this way! Even if the cram 24 people into a cable car. As a we exited the cable car we looked around at where the spectacular views should be… unfortunately, there was cloud/fog in every direction. Undeterred, we set off downhill. After some minutes we got below the cloud and the scenery started to open up: beautiful rural France, but looking more Swiss-like, ie chalet style houses, cows with huge cow bells (straight out of a Heidi movie).
The landscape changed quite a bit as we descended from the alpine fields into the valleys which were more populated. Around 10am we found a farmhouse/cafe. So we bundled inside with all our kit. Coffees all around- espresso, Americano but no flat whites or lattes. The cafe was in the downstairs of the farmhouse and was adjacent to where some cattle are kept.
After becoming suitably caffeinated, we headed off further downward. We crossed a mountain stream which was absolutely pumping. I doubt the word ‘drought’ is even known in these parts. More small villages and each with their own characteristics: the one with flowers everywhere; the one with the little church; most villages had a water fountain or water spout (with drinkable mountain water). The areas we walked through were all very picturesque!
Well, the kilometres passed quickly. We did get some ‘ups’ to offset the downhill walking but nothing too dramatic. Eventually we arrived at Les Contamines-Montjoie which was our lunch stop and our overnight location.
I am a bit worried about lunches! Today was a three course meal with none of the courses being small. I’m worried because if this is going to be typical of lunch then getting started in the afternoon may be a challenge. There was mention of food-coma! Secondly, I don’t want to put weight on! Of course every French meal is served with bread… beautiful bread, delightful baguettes!
A short walk from the lunch restaurant was our overnight hotel. Cruelly, the walk was uphill! We were quickly allocated rooms and told where to collect our major bags. On the track we carry a day pack with wet-weather gear and cold-weather gear and snacks. Our main bags are transported between locations. The bags turned up which was re-assuring.
So the evening will be a hot shower, briefing on tomorrow’s segment and dinner. Almost certainly more baguettes!
Bottom line: great first day, having a ball!
Some of the group… note the view! This is shortly after leaving the cable car.
Well, all that food for lunch is supposed to offset all that walking! Although, I can understand that a big meal in the middle of the day would make me want to nap, rather than walk. All the Alps villages are similar, regardless of the country border lines - just like a Heidi movie, as you described. It fascinates me that a whole town is squeezed into the kilometre wide gaps between the mountains, and always with an icy green, fast flowing stream. Simply stunning scenery. Keep walking! And eating!
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