The third part of the holiday was pretty straightforward: Paula and Dorien went horse riding at Cecile’s almost every day and Mary worked around the house and garden, while Piet was doing time in the office in The Hague. Cecile had a children’s holiday camp (daytime only) with 20 kids from 3 to 12 years old, and she needed all the help she could get. The (spoken) French of the girls improved again, and Dorien is also managing to chat away happily now. In the garden Mary cleaned out some of the ditches and opened up our natural spring. She also managed to get the antique wardrobe, which she had been restoring over the last few years, from the old part of the house into our bedroom. We had postponed this move many times, as we thought scaffolding was required. However, pure man- and woman power turned out to be sufficient. In between all the work Mary rode several times on the village horse Swallow, taking her on longer trips each time. Afterwards there is always the reward of fresh grass from our garden. Her companions, two sheep, enjoy that snack as well!
Piet’s return started a bad weather week: lots of rain and cool temperatures. We still managed to get in some cycling (Piet) and horse riding, and on one of the nicer days we did another Via Ferrata (see also post of the 8th of August), this one near Alpe d’Huez. The route had an easy and a hard section, which were intertwined, and offers the option of several different combinations. We used our own equipment (we have 2 complete sets now) and just did the easy route, leaving the more difficult parts for next year.
Due to the rain work in the garden was very slow, and we just cleaned up what was already chopped down. We had a huge bonfire again, and filled up the barn with more wood for the fire place. The smaller bits were shredded to wood chips and ended up in Swallow’s stable. After a day of cleaning in and around the house it was back to reality again: we left on Sunday at 5 a.m., had a very smooth ride and arrived back in The Hague after 11 hours in the car: home after a 7 week holiday!
Mary admiring another bonfire
Dorien riding Swallow along the Romanche
Paula and Dorien on the Via Ferrata of Alpe d'Huez
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