Monday – Marvel, Morillon, Mutts & Mountains!

P1030887
What an Awesome Mountain Day!

We parked at Morillon 1100 (also known as Les Esserts) and walked up one of my favourite pistes, the green run ‘Marvel’, which winds around the side of the mountain, affording spectacular views. It was a beautiful sunny day and delightful that much of the walk was in the shade. We met only people descending. This is because you can ascend the lazy way on the gondola from Samoens or the chairlift from Morillon… We felt slightly superior making the ascent ourselves, although a chairlift is not really an option with 4 pooches!Continue reading “Monday – Marvel, Morillon, Mutts & Mountains!”

Rocky Mountain High – Colorado Capers

071.jpg
The Rapid called “No Name” – So Bad They Didn’t Name it Once

Cougars & Cliff Dwellings – plus The Four Oarsmen of the Apocalypse; a First Descent in the Four Corners!

In The Four Corners, where Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico meet, we discovered the perfect combination of activity, sightseeing and relaxation, high in the rocky mountains.

We based ourselves in Durango. You might not realise it, but you DEFINITELY know Durango. Billed as the ‘Hollywood of the Rockies’ the adobe hills, high peaks, steam train and typically Western town have provided the backdrop to many a famous film, some of which do not wander too far from the truth. Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid was filmed here – and allegedly Butch really did hold up the bank at nearby Telluride. I’m sure that the prosperity of the mines attracted other well-known outlaws, although it is difficult to separate fact from myth and legend. Particularly where tourist dollars are involved!Continue reading “Rocky Mountain High – Colorado Capers”

The End of the Line – Sixt Fer-à-Cheval

DSCN1306
Kismet at The End of the Line – Camping le Pelly, Sixt Fer-à-Cheval

Flash floods, Unlucky Jim, Killer Sheepdogs – & The Kamikaze Chemi Khazi!

19th August – We are beneath a bowl of mighty peaks, so close to Switzerland that we could yodel over Les Dents Blanches to order a cuckoo clock, an army knife and some smooooth milk chocolate. The views are amazing; rocky peaks, patched by bright green hanging valleys with snow-melt cascades free-falling for hundreds of feet down sheer, limestone walls.

Continue reading “The End of the Line – Sixt Fer-à-Cheval”

30s Site Review – Campsite Municipal Le Pelly, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, Rhone Alps, France.

P1030859
Our view from the campsite up the valley!

Spectacular Scenery; Walks, Waterfalls, Wildlife – & Those who Dare – Swim!

Campsite Highlights

Campsite Municipal le Pelly is at the head of the Giffre valley, just past Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval. Sixt is a small village, probably more correctly a defined as a group of hamlets. It is located in a remote part of the French Alps to the east of the Haute-Savoie department. Sixt is probably better known as a ski resort; part of the Grand Massif ski area, which is the 4th largest in France. Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is reached from Cluses via a good, reasonably wide mountain road with friendly, not-too-tight hairpins that did not pose any problem with our 40ft van-caravan combo! With the campsite at 1000m of altitude, remember to release pressure in the caravan toilet SLOWLY!Continue reading “30s Site Review – Campsite Municipal Le Pelly, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, Rhone Alps, France.”