Well, it's been nearly a week in Chamonix. Fantastic sights, great weather (apart from today) and lots of activites.
First day was spent wandering around the town and enjoying not having to pack and move onto the next place. Apartment is a bit small considering it's supposed to fit 4. Wouldn't recommend more than 2.
Next couple of days we did some serious hiking - well for a novice like me anyway. Really lovely mountain walks up to a water fall and the glacier. Had lunch over looking the waterfall which was lovely.
White water rafting was great, the guy made us do all kinds of silly things like stand on the edge of the raft and run round the edge of raft. Of course I fell in, but I guess that was the whole point! Water was 4 degrees C as it was melted snow straight off the mountain. Luckily we did have wet suits but that doesn't stop the cold when you fall right under! Phil managed to belly flop off some rocks and float down the river, I'd had enough of the cold water by then though and steered cleer. Don't think the rapids were really that great so looking forward to doing it again in Oz/NZ.
Yesterday we hired a bike for a few hours and I can safely say that bike riding is really not my favourite past time. Especially not at Phil's pace and up and down hills - the down bit is obviously ok! My butt is really quite saw after the hours doing that.
Of course we watched the England game, biting fingers as usual but it's to be expected from England! Managed to find a pub that showed it on ITV but with Gareth Southgate's commentary we found ourselves wishing we'd watched it in French - least then it can't be annoying!
Today saw our final bit of hiking and the worst weather. It was fairly overcast but safe in the knowledge it should still be warm we embarked on a fairly easy hike to a glacier. It soon became apparent that my hiking attire of a vest, shorts and sandals (albeit hiking sandals) were not really appropriate for the cold air and the approaching rain. Got a few strange looks from the serious hikers with their huge backpacks, presumably carrying clothing for every evenutality, and hiking poles that just seemed to make them walk really slowly! Or at least Phil thought so, seemed like a nice pace for the less than fit Lianne.
Off to Rome tomorrow, nice 8 hour drive (that's before brakes) so next installment should be after we've seen at least the Vatican!
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