Oisans and Lausanne

We arrived at the house in Bourg, where Dorien and Lars were wrapping up their two weeks holiday. It was nice to catch up with them before they drove back the following morning. The first week the weather was great, sun, no wind, and some 15 degrees. We enjoyed reading a book on our terrace, doing a few hikes and bike rides, and some work in the garden, cleaning up several fallen trees and overgrown ditches.

On Friday we drove to Switzerland, to see Paula and Jasper in their new hometown of Lausanne. Paula found a new position at the Gruner consultancy, responsible for water and flood risk management in the region. Jasper was still looking for a job, and had his hands free to carry out a lot of the logistics that is needed when you emigrate. When we arrived Paula finished her first working week, and they were staying in temporary accommodation next to her office. Jasper had seen a suitable apartment in the area of Pully, on the other side of Lausanne, and we took the train to have a look. This was a nice groundfloor apartment, with a garden, and close to Lake Geneva (note that a week later they managed to sign and get the keys!). We then walked along the lake, and further east into the vineyards of Lutry. In the evening we had a typical Swiss dinner of cheese fondue in the historic centre of Lausanne. The next day we drove into the hills east of Lausanne, and did a hike around Mont Pelerin. The weather was still great, and we enjoyed a picnic in the sun. In the afternoon we drove back to our house, and left Paula and Jasper to enjoy their new adventure.

The second week the weather deteriorated, and turned into sleet the last two days. It didn't stop us hiking, but the bikes stayed inside. Mary joined the local dog training for 2 sessions, and we enjoyed reading our book next to the fireplace, with a nice glass of red wine. After a last day of cleaning we drove back, planning to return early May.

A typical image: walking along the Romanche

View over Lake Geneva from Pully, close to the new apartment of Paula and Jasper

Walking along the lake

Lake Geneva: stunning when the weather is nice

In the vineyards of Lutry

Looking out over Lausanne

A Swiss dinner: cheese fondue

Lunch near Mont Pelerin

Checking the obstacle course at the start of agility training

Pippin in action during his agility training

Snow during the market in Bourg d'Oisans

The last day of our holiday: winter at last

Champlis revisited

Piet's wine and dine society 'Het Derde Glas' decided that their cellars were getting low on Champagne, and an emergency trip was planned to stock up. We managed to align that with a planned holiday to our house in France, and all logistics were matched accordingly.

Piet, Mary and Pippin drove out to the Champagne on Thursday morning, ending up in the village of Cramant in the early afternoon. We promised Pippin a nice walk, but this turned out to be a very muddy affair in the woods above Cramant, with many trails flooded, and mud to well above our ankles. Pippin loved it! When we returned to the village the second (electric) car had arrived as well, and we went to Mallol for a first tasting. Here we selected the bubbles for the upcoming wedding in France (more later!). We drove back to Epernay, where we had a nice meal at L'Oben to wrap up the day.

The next morning we returned south to Mesnil sur Oger, where we stopped at the cooperation. This felt like an admin office, and lacked some character; however the Champagne was very pleasant, and also suitable for the wedding! Just around the corner we met with Francois Girard, who told us with great enthusiasm about his wines, the merger with the vineyards of his wife's family, and the transfer of the whole business to his son. As he spoke very fast it took some time to figure out that he had stopped producing, and was selling off his remaining stock as 'Francois Girard', and his son had continued with the more exclusive (and expensive) 'Girard-Bonnet' brand. 

Another 2 hour drive took us to Chablis were we tasted at Gautheron, and old favourite and 'valuer sur' Brocard. As we finished early there was time for a nice hike around the Chablis Grand Cru vineyards as well. We had dinner at Les Trois Bourgeons, where we were first send away because we arrived 3 minutes early, but had a nice meal, despite the lack of French or English of the Japanese hosts.

The following day we had an early rise, and drove further south towards our house, and holidays!

At the end of the hike in Cramant

Tasting at Mallol, in Cramant

Oscar likes the Champagne from Mallol

Explanation in the cellar of Francois Girard

Wrapping up the tasting at Girard-Bonnet

The selection at Gautheron, in Chablis

Brocard, in Chablis, one of the group's favourites

Looking out over the Grand Cru vineyards of Chablis

Mary and Sybren checking one of the Grand Cru info boards 

Closing out the trip at Les Trois Bourgeons

Final pictures from 2024

The year almost done, and below are some final pictures from some of our adventures in 2024. Merry Christmas all!

Dorien, Ollie and Lars at Lac de Buclet

Dorien on the mountainbike in Noordwijk

Pippin and Lennon in Meer en Bos

With Mary's parents, still going strong!

Jasper on top of a summit in the Alps

Paula, Jasper and friends in the Alps near Chamonix

Peter, Piet and Rikkert at the Tour de France Femmes, in The Hague

Pippin on the beach, near our house

Piet went to London in November

Autumn in France

In between two projects on the house in The Hague we made a last minute decision to drive to France, to enjoy the usually beautiful autumn weather there. The outside painting was finished and some work in the front garden was scheduled to start, but with the unpredictable weather timing was uncertain. Instead of waiting in The Hague we took the opportunity, and had our yearly October break in France. Piet had to work a few days, but for the rest we enjoyed great weather, hiking, cycling and doing some work in the garden. We also did our yearly pelgrimage to the Gigondas, this time without Piet's friends, for some hikes and to stock up on red wine, with an overnight stay at our favourite hotel Les Florets.

Once the call came that the gardener was ready to start we closed up the house, and drove home to manage the (hopefully) last project of our 2023-2024 renovation.

We spend most afternoons in our garden

Mary arriving on Col d'Ornon

Pippin overlooking the Veneon

Lunch near Beaumes de Venise

Buying wine at Domaine de Cassan

Hiking near Gigondas, at Pas de l'Aigle

Beautiful autumn colours near St Christophe en Oisans

Wrapping up the holidays

During the last few weeks of our extended holiday Dorien and Lars came to France with Ollie, to take a break from their busy working and new home owners life. They were joined by their friends Luuk and Nienke for several days. Unfortunately, Piet had to go back to The Hague to start working again, before coming back for a final week of leave.

The main event was the Tour de France Femmes, with a finish of the final stage on Alpe d'Huez. In the morning Piet cycled up with the local cycling club, and in the afternoon we walked up to see the race. Although not as busy as the men's race there were many spectators, and it was a very exiting and close race with a few seconds difference between the first three riders in the final classification.

The last days were spend hiking, cycling and organising the house and garden after nearly four months in France, and preparing (mentally) to return to a regular life. Mary used the regular bike rides she did during this time to get in good shape, joined the local club, and as a reward smoothly cycled up Alpe d'Huez for the first time in several years. This whole period gave a good taste on how retirement could look like! We are looking forward to more of this....

Playing badminton in the garden

Col Series: the road to Col d'Ornon was closed for cars

Dorien, Lars and their friends Luuk and Nienke made it up Col d'Ornon

Pippin and his best friend Ollie

UC Oisans gathering in Bourg, before cycling up Alpe d'Huez ahead of the Tour de France Femmes; note that Piet apparently doesn't like pink shirts

It was cold and grey on Alpe d'Huez, and still quiet around lunch time

Tour de France Femmes on Alpe d'Huez: Demi Vollering and Pauline Rooijakkers in the lead

Kasia Niewiadoma, in the yellow jersey, is chasing the leaders

Marianne Vos (in the green jersey) and friends

SD Works has done their work for Demi Vollering: Christine Majerus, Lorena Wiebes and Blanka Vas

The grupetto

Beautiful Tour weather in the Alps

Along the Romanche, near our house

Preparing to cycle up Oz Station, with the local club UC Oisans

After training all summer Mary made it up to Alpe d'Huez, for the first time in several years

The last hike, along the Veneon