Busy Summer

It's been a busy summer, for all sorts of reasons, not least at Chalet Kiana, where regulars have returned and new clients have come, gone and re-booked. We've even taken some time there ourselves, which has been wonderful, especially gathering friends to join us. There's so much to do that nobody needs to fall into rank; everyone can return at the end of the day with their account of what pass they've climbed, what mountain restaurant they lunched at or what ascent (& descent) they've made on mountain bikes.

I'm returning there tomorrow, via LHR and BA, then catching the SAT bus from GVA to Les Contamines. I was there last weekend and took the opportunity of snapping some shots for the blog. They're posted now on Flickr, but for those who don't 'do' Flickr, here's one that tickled me.

Cycling down from the Col du Joly, with my 14 year-old son (yes, we cycled up, but not from the Hauteluce/Beaufort side, but from the Les Contamines side, with the help of lifts up to 1800m!) we happened upon a heard of mountain dairy cattle, feeding on the Alpages, to make their creamy, sweet milk for the Beaufort and various Tomme cheeses. If I knew how to post a video, I'd include that too, as the sound of the bells around their necks is magical and, somehow, peaceful...I see a button up there on the bar, so I'll give it a try.

No...it took too long to load. I'll have to go back to my iPhone and edit it there, as it's easier doing it that way than trying to use iMovie! Watch this space.