Day 7 La Fouly to Champex-Lac

 Distance covered today 17kms with 630 meters elevation.

Having gone to bed early last night we woke up early for our breakfast and then a 7.40am departure. 

The weather today was clear blue skies and a slight chilly breeze. The start of our walk was actually a bit unique in the sense we did not have to go up. Nice for a change. I must admit our endurance and muscle strength has improved and not always feeling as sore as we were at the start.

We walked through some beautiful quaint villages with colourful gardens, wood stacks and unique door handles. The local residents are supportive of the walkers that walk right through the town with a friendly Bonjour. The streets are very narrow and feature slate roofs, thick timber beams and cute little windows with shutters. The most common flower growing in many window boxes and hanging baskets are geraniums. They provide a bright burst of colour after a snowy winter.

Practical use of antlers.

 Even the chickens get window boxes with geraniums.

After being lulled into a false sense of security of flat, level paths, the walk took a turn - yes you guessed it - up!

This is one type of markings that are displayed along the walk of the Tour du Mont Blanc trail (TMB). We processed to go up as we a destination in mind our accommodation Hotel Splendide.

If you look VERY closely you will see Peter pointing to our accommodation. It took 5 hours all up to get there.  On the walk we passed many wood carvings of the various local wildlife. When we arrived at Champex-Lac we had a delightful 3 course lunch in the village then onto the Hotel Splendide.

Can I just say that this hotel built in 1934-1938  is a family run hotel is AMAZING. It is perched on the side of the mountain and commands the most spectacular views. The current generation running it are the grand children of the original builders and owners. It is amazing. The dining room has tall ceilings with lots of period pieces displayed through out. They live at the very top and their son and daughter  are keen to keep the business in the family. It is the story of a hotel of the past century that is woven in these places. A warm, soothing residence overlooking the Grand-Combin massif, which culminates at 4,314 m. The hotel was built between 1934 and 1938 by Corinne's grandfather and Fanny's great-grandfather, the current owners. Mr. Lovey built it with his own hands. He used the granite stones found on the foothills of the Catogne to erect the 5 floors of the building as well as the imposing wall supporting the terrace. The hotel is the realization of a dream.At almost 50 years old and after having worked as a concierge in a beautiful establishment in Nice as well as at the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Mr. Lovey was inspired by these places for the construction of his own hotel. Built on the artillery fort below, it was occupied by the army during the 2nd World War. During this period Mrs. Lovey was expecting a baby girl who was born in room number 6 with the help of officers. From the creation of the hotel to the present day, loyal customers have been welcomed there by 4 successive generations.

Our room is on the second level facing THE VIEW!!!! We can see for kms both up and down the valley. Everything looks so miniature from up in the hills. 

 The view from our balcony window. 

The local village has an amazing lake that was being used for fishing, paddle boards and peddled boats. Some of our group were brave enough to go in for a very quick swim. Peter and I put our feet into the water - it was freezing but our feet felt great after.

 The view across the lake.

We walked the entire lake and enjoyed the various shades of blue and green water. A leisurely afternoon on the terrace, briefing and dinner.

A later start tomorrow.