French Alps - Chamonix

We left our b&b with a full tummy and headed to Chamonix by train (3 to be exact) where Jonny met us and took us back to one of his chalets in Argentiere.

Wow what a beautiful destination, outstanding views and an amazing chalet set facing Mont Blanc in a quaint village of Argentiere – we were certainly spoilt.

Day 1: Took a casual walk to our local village to stock up on essentials and have a coffee – constant 360 degree snow capped mountain views as we looked up.  Relaxing in our chalet before having a BBQ at our place yet hosted by some of Jonny’s Dutch friends and cooked by a Dutch Chef (very yummy).

Day 2: The minnsmob set out on our mountain walk  - our kids were amazing and enjoyed walking the rough terrain through forrests, valleys, over rocks, up ski slopes next to waterfalls.  We now call Madeleine – Maddie the mountain goat as she walked most part of 6 km and accended 800m.  We arrived at a single dwelling at Chapeau where they provide lunches for walkers (summer) and skiers (winter).  A most welcomed lunch and coffee before heading back down to meet Jonny at a kids park.  We were then chaperoned to the township of Chamonix and enjoyed a well deserved gelati and another coffee (can you tell we had a rough night with Noah with all the coffee).  This day was certainly a highlight of our tirp.

Day 3: Weather turned a little, although we continued our journey to the ‘MER DE GLACE’ a glacier set at nearly 2000m.  The steam train ride up was spectacular for the views and then followed by a gondola down to a platform to then descend 400 steps (due to the melting/dropping of the glacier by 60m depth since 1988).  It was amazing entering the ice cave and walking through the carved out tunnel while it dripped and the kids touched the smooth coldness of the iceblue ice.  Our mountain goat kids then climbed back up the 400 steps, road up the gondola before enjoying a well earned lunch overlooking the glacier and its valley.

Day 4: Chaperoned into Chamonix, we enjoyed a slow relaxed morning of coffee & cake with some light shopping  before heading home for lunch and a spa on the deck with uninterrupted mountain views.  In the afternoon we went to a natural mountain animal farm.  The kids walked amongst the deer and loved feeding time with the marmottes (little mountain critters).  Trav and I were more amazed at the breathtaking views.

Day 5:  Caught the local train from Argentiere down to the natural kids play area.  Hudson and Maddie both had a horse ride through the forest course and over a running stream.  It was magical as Trav and I were able to experience it with them as we lead the horse.  Madeleine then enjoyed the adventure course including a flying fox over the stream, followed by a rope swing and a log walk.  Hudson was more focussed on the canoe (like father like son).

After quality kid time we walked along the stream into Chamonix  town (approx 4 km) where we met Jonny for an amazing lunch – hot grill placed on the table while we cooked our own meat and melted delicious cheeses to top our potatoes and salad – mmmmmmmmm.   Kids and I were dropped home for a restful afternoon while Jon and Trav ventured into the wilderness so Trav could experience rock climbing in the French Alsp.  Climbing  200m vertically up a cliff face that is permanently set up with safety equipment which allows one to self belay.  Trav said is was ‘ *&^%^* Nuts’.

Our little man - Noah has started to crawl a little, although he spends more time in down face dog or exploring under tables and sometimes getting stuck.

Chamonix was an amazing place of which we have no doubt we will return with more time to experience what the region has to offer.

Aurevoir France we we will certainly return.

Coming up: Duino near Trieste Italy

More Happy Birthdays we are missing in late July/August: Lilly Decker, Mia Dellamarta, Harry Charlesworth, Isabella Layton Welsh, Kirsten Hedrick, Heather Whitaker, Josh Minns, Steve Minns and anyone I may have forgotten (sorry).

Madeleine's Final Post

Aurevoir France

I have had a good time in France and have learnt many French words.  We have done so much since my last blog that mum helps me with.

PARIS

My favourite things in Paris were:

1.     Disneyland – I met so many princesses, had some great rides and saw the parade.  I also danced with Jessie at Woody’s Round Up (from Toy Story 2). 

2.      Eiffel Tower – I went all the way to the top in a glass lift.

I loved where we stayed upstairs in our Paris apartment, Hudson and I had our own room with lots of toys to play with.

PONT DU GARD (PROVENCE)

This was mainly for mum and dad but Hudson and I enjoyed our picnic dinners at the river and playing with the rocks at the waters edge.   

We also had the best ice cream sundae ever at Nimes in front of the colosseum.  Our place gave us breakfast everyday and I loved playing in the pool and with the dolphin.

CHAMONIX (THE FRENCH ALPS)

I loved Jonny’s house, it was huge.  Hudson and I had our own playroom and our own bedroom.  We also had a pool and a spa on the deck and looked at a mountain with snow on it. 

My favourite things we did were:

1.     Riding a horse led by mum and dad through a forest trail and across a stream, and after playing on the flying fox across the stream at the nature kids park.

2.     Going to the glacier ‘Mer de Glace’ and walking through the ice cave.  We had to catch a steam train and a gondola up the mountain to 1908 m and then walk down 400 steps.

3.    Seeing the marmottes (little creatures) that live in the mountains at a natural animal park, we also walked amongst the deer.  Mummy and daddy enjoyed the view of the mountains more.

We then left Chamonix and France and after a big day: car trip, bus ride, 3 trains and a taxi we arrived at our destination in Italy (Duino).  They don’t speak French here but another language Italian – I don’t know Italian yet.

See you all when I return

Aurevoir  Maddie x