Ahr and Eifel

Piet and two of his friends went on a boys-only short weekend to Germany, taking advantage of the last bit of summer and free agendas. They started in the Ahr valley, just south of Bonn, which is Germany’s main red wine producing area. This is a narrow valley with steep sides, which has created a micro-climate which is perfect for growing Spatburgunder (or Pinot Noir) grapes. They visited 2 wineries to stock up on a modest quantity of bottles, assisted with true German efficiency. This was followed by a pleasant walk along the Rotweinwanderweg, a hiking trail along the slope of this valley. The views were great, and the grapes were juicy, ready to be harvested. At the end of the afternoon they drove to Bad Munstereifel to a small hotel run by Russian ladies. The town turned out to have a pretty, walled medieval city centre, again frequented by the elderly, just like the Ahr valley. But good for dinner and a few beers…. 

The next morning they drove out to Vogelsang for a walk in the Eifel hills. Vogelsang turned out to be a massive, former Nazi training site, now being renovated by the EU into a conference centre, and a starting point for outdoor activities. The buildings are overlooking the Urfttalsperre, a reservoir created some 100 years ago. After a long morning hike around this lake and a steep climb back to Vogelsang the weekend was rounded off with a game lunch, and a drive home, listening to the football on the radio.

Spatburgunder grapes ready for harvest 

Dernau, in the Ahr valley 

Along the Rotweinwanderweg 

Every hillside in the Ahr valley is used to grow grapes 

The Eifel, view of the Urfttalsperre, with tourist boat

Summer holiday (II)

Once Paula completed her summer job at the La Romanche restaurant the activity level shot up. The girls visited their old horse riding instructor (and ex-summer mom) Cecile in the Ardeche, did a 2 day hike 'off the beaten track', crossing a high pass, and reaching a real summit. They also did some real rock climbing, supervised by Mary.

The last week Paula's best friend Carmen turned up for an outdoor camp as well. The girls crammed the week with a large variety of activities: horse riding, cycling, rock climbing, via ferreta, and a 2 day hike to the Sept Laux, an area with 7 lakes, partly created for hydro-electricity, in the Belledonne mountain range. We stayed overnight in a refuge, and the next day we crossed the high Col de la Vache, with magnificent views towards Grenoble.

Like every year Beau's horse shoes were worn out after several weeks, and Mary managed to track down the long-retired, 80 year old local blacksmith to help. He managed a quick fix, which only lasted a few days, and Beau had a leisurely final part of the holidays, enjoying our garden without any physical exercise.

At the end of the week it was time to organise the house and the garden, get Beau ready for transport and drive back home to a life or normality at school, university, the stable and the office.

Tour de France on Alpe d'Huez: Valverde and Quintana 

Sam cycling up Alpe d'Huez

Max, Sam and the girls on a hike towards Taillefer

 Sept Laux: Lac de la Corne

 Sept Laux: Lac de la Sagne

 Sept Laux: Dorien at Lac Cottepens

Paula arriving on Col de la Vache 

Descending from Col de la Vache

 Dorien cycling towards Auris