During the last part of the summer holidays Piet went home for a second time to work, and the girls and friends continued their outdoor activities. Unfortunately Dorien's hiking trip had to be cut short due to illness, and they returned to the house to do several smaller trips and activities instead. When Paula's friends left she joined Dorien's group, and also worked several evenings in La Romanche as waitress. Finally they ended up with just Lars for a last week, also slowing down their activities. Using the house as base for outdoor activities was a huge success, and no doubt the same will happen in the next few years.
When Piet returned to France he had half a day overlap with Paula, who went back to join another group for a 5 day hike in Norway. Taking it easy is not in her DNA, and now she is almost fully mobile again she is catching up on lost time.
Mary has suffered with both her achilles tendons, and was not able to do any hikes during the summer. It luckily didn't hamper her work in the garden, and she spend many hours working on the horse pastures, which included the garden of our neighbours.
Piet did his only hike with Dorien and Lars into a nearby valley that we hadn't explored before. The next day they left to work on their new mini-apartments, and to join the intro days for Delft University.
The last few days were spend reading, in the garden and on the bike. Piet did a final mountainbike ride, when disaster struck. On any easy trail he hit a rock or hole, and crashed heavily on his left shoulder. It was immediate clear that something was wrong, but being in the middle of nowhere there was no other option to carefully cycle down until he got hold of Mary. After visits to the local doctor, pharmacy and emergency unit at Grenoble University Hospital it was clear that his collarbone was dislocated, but the recommendation was to keep his arm in sling and visit the hospital in The Hague soonest. The next few days were spend reading, whilst Mary finished off in the garden, cleared away our tools, cleaned the house and finally drove home with Beau, without the option to share the driving. All went well, and Beau found a freshly grown lawn in our front and back garden, allowing him to ease back into his town life.
In the end Piet's diagnosis was confirmed, and it was decided not to operate, despite a few small fractures in the dislocated end. He will have a one hand-life for the next month or so, with Mary in a supporting role (think shoelaces!).
Mary training with Beau
The Tour de France peloton on Col de la Croix de Fer
Dorien and Mary on Quinaille and Beau
In the Sarenne
Dorien and Lars enjoying a leisurely ride
Vallon des Etages
Lars and Dorien in Vallon des Etages
