Today we were back to old haunts. I have a feeling Chamonix will be our home over the next few weeks as the snow line continues its march up the hill. The snow above 2500m at Grand Montets was still packed powder today and we enjoyed a huge run from the very top - 3200m to the valley floor - 2000m vertical!
We also lucked our favourite picnic spot. We have been keeping our eye on this broken down hut on the side of the hill overlooking the Arolles bowl. Almost always it's busy hosting other groups. And we know why! It has a breathtaking view over the run and down into the Chamonix valley.
Typical of spring, the pistes were bullet proof before midday (11 am by the sun). Les Grand Montets is largely north facing so while it holds the snow well into May, you need some sharp edges to tackle the mountain early. The Oxleys? We just went for coffee. Ice is for your gin & tonic as far as we are concerned!!
But it didn't take long for the sun to work its magic. By 11:30 sun time (12:30 European summer time) all the slopes had softened and we enjoyed a magic afternoon of skiing in the spring snow.
3/ Andy, heading down the Pointe de View glacier run
4/ Stopping for the afternoon Panochet! For medicinal purposes only ...of course!
On the home front, we tried Antoinette's (the yoga mistress) herb in our salad this evening. Not bad. As predicted a subtle oniony, garlicky flavour. But we still don't know what it is. We checked all the reliable sources, Marie, Liz and even our naturalist french neighbour Olivier but no-one can identify the herb. So far...at the time of posting this blog there has been no adverse reaction....!
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