Our summer holidays started with a family week at the house in France. At the end of the Delft academic year Piet, Mary, Beau, Paula and her study and climbing friend Tim drove through the night, whilst Dorien and Lars took their own car and went ahead during the day to prepare our arrival. After a last minute colic scare with Beau we were happy to arrive safely, and get set up for the summer. Mary and Paula arranged a friend for Beau, which turned out to be Quinaille, who also spend the summer with us in 2017. After three lonely days (we don't count......) he was in his element. Due to health issues with his legs and back Beau will have a relaxing summer, concentrating on eating the grass in our garden.
Dorien and Lars came to relax as well, as they both had a busy year. Dorien has been combining her studies with the position of chairwoman for the Board of Slopend, and Lars completed his studies, secured a job at Shell (!), and had a surgery from which he was still recovering. They were planning an easy summer without commitments, with some hiking and cycling in our area, and a week in Italy with friends.
Paula and Tim, in her usual fashion, crammed a week full of activities with two main trips. The first was the climb of Aguille de Dibona, a very distinct steep needle of rock, visible from afar. Although the climbing level was not that high the main challenge was the airy nature and exposure during their ascent, but they managed without much difficulty.
The second trip turned out to be a family affair. Paula and Mary planned to go to Refuge de l'Aigle, the only mountain hut we hadn't visited in our 20 years in the area. The plan was to hike up to the hut, climb one of the summits in the neighbourhood, and descent. Piet and Dorien joined as well, Lars had to stay and mind the horses, as he was not yet fit enough. The hike up to the hut was an alpine tour in itself, it took 8 hours, and we had to cross many steep snow fields, manage a rocky descent on cables, and cross Tabuchet glacier to arrive at the hut, located on a spectacular point on top of a small rocky outcrop. This day was so strenuous that only Paula and Tim decided to continue the next morning to the summit of Meije Orientale. After they got up at 4 AM they continued on the glacier, but got stuck on an icy slope towards the summit ridge, and had to decide to turn around. Back at the hut we all packed up, and made the long descend back to the car passing the same difficulties as the previous day; with 1800 m of height difference this resulted in muscle pains for the next week (Piet & Mary)!
The rest of the week was spend playing games, looking after the horses, some short cycle rides, and watching the Tour de France in the evening. Then Piet, Paula and Tim had to leave work work, the next holiday and an internship, planning to return later this summer.
Dorien and Lars came to relax as well, as they both had a busy year. Dorien has been combining her studies with the position of chairwoman for the Board of Slopend, and Lars completed his studies, secured a job at Shell (!), and had a surgery from which he was still recovering. They were planning an easy summer without commitments, with some hiking and cycling in our area, and a week in Italy with friends.
Paula and Tim, in her usual fashion, crammed a week full of activities with two main trips. The first was the climb of Aguille de Dibona, a very distinct steep needle of rock, visible from afar. Although the climbing level was not that high the main challenge was the airy nature and exposure during their ascent, but they managed without much difficulty.
The second trip turned out to be a family affair. Paula and Mary planned to go to Refuge de l'Aigle, the only mountain hut we hadn't visited in our 20 years in the area. The plan was to hike up to the hut, climb one of the summits in the neighbourhood, and descent. Piet and Dorien joined as well, Lars had to stay and mind the horses, as he was not yet fit enough. The hike up to the hut was an alpine tour in itself, it took 8 hours, and we had to cross many steep snow fields, manage a rocky descent on cables, and cross Tabuchet glacier to arrive at the hut, located on a spectacular point on top of a small rocky outcrop. This day was so strenuous that only Paula and Tim decided to continue the next morning to the summit of Meije Orientale. After they got up at 4 AM they continued on the glacier, but got stuck on an icy slope towards the summit ridge, and had to decide to turn around. Back at the hut we all packed up, and made the long descend back to the car passing the same difficulties as the previous day; with 1800 m of height difference this resulted in muscle pains for the next week (Piet & Mary)!
The rest of the week was spend playing games, looking after the horses, some short cycle rides, and watching the Tour de France in the evening. Then Piet, Paula and Tim had to leave work work, the next holiday and an internship, planning to return later this summer.
Dorien and Lars are cooling down Beau in the Sarenne
Paula, Tim and Lars on Col d'Ornon
Mary in one of the many steep snowfields during the climb towards l'Aigle
Descending towards Glacier du Tabuchet
In the Refuge de l'Aigle
Refuge de l'Aigle has a spectacular location!
Paula is descending from the glacier
Mary is arriving at te church in Venosc
