We went to France for the spring school holidays, looking forward to a week of sunshine and being outside, after a long, long winter and a very slow start of spring. The start wasn't great as we had a very tiring drive, with poring rain throughout the night. The first few days the rain and low temperatures continued and most time was spend inside or in the barn, working on a second horse box for a (yet) unidentified friend of Beau.
A cycling group from Piet's office (from the spinning classes) was in the area as well for 3 days, planning to do some nice sunny rides and ultimately climb Alpe d'Huez. The first day they rode through wet snow; the second day Piet joined, and it was very, very cold, but dry. So Alpe d'Huez was brought forward, and Piet had his first climb of the year! In the end he did fine, and all 30 riders reached the top without too many problems. The descend, however, was done in full winter gear! The next day it rained heavily again and the ride was cancelled. Most people drove back early to join the royal celebrations at home.
Later in the week the weather improved a lot, and we managed to do two nice hikes, walking in the sunshine and through knee-deep snow! Work in the garden (preparations for Beau's arrival in the summer) and biking continued as usual. The trampoline, that had been gathering dust in The Hague for 3 years, was assembled, to the enjoyment of the kids in the village. And as Cecile and all her horses finally moved to their new location in the Ardeche this was the first holiday in a very, very long time without horse riding!
Shell's cyclists on Alpe d'Huez. Piet in yellow rainjacket, 5th from right
Checking directions
Piet and Paula descending a snowfield near Taillefer
Hiking near Ornon, with the Taillefer in the background
The ladies at the start of the Via Ferrata in Venosc
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