The last part of our holidays started when Peter, one of Piet's cycling mates, came to France for 4 days of riding in the mountains. Piet joined him, and together they did some of the cycling highlights in the region, and obviously also cycled up Alpe d'Huez. After Peter left Piet worked a few days from the house, and he used the last day of a long good weather period to get something off his bucket list: Col Agnel. This is one of the highest mountain passes in France, on the border with Italy. Mary and Pippin joined, and did some short walks in the area. Piet reached the top after a hard, 40 km+ cycle.
The last week the weather was variable, with regular rain and dropping temperatures. The days were spend walking and training with Pippin and some work in the garden and around the house. At the end of the week it snowed heavily in the mountains, and we could light the fireplace. Fall had started.
Unfortunately our departement (or province) of Isere was declared a red zone for Covid-19 during the last week. As a consequence we will not be allowed to return to the house until this restriction is lifted. We made the house ready for the winter as there is a reasonable chance that we will only return in the spring. We drove back with Pippin into a self-imposed quarantine, although we saw very few people in our village the last week, and the risk of infection was very low.
On return the adjustment was tough for Pippin. After a long period with nearly unlimited freedom around our house and village and hardly any dogs he got an overdose of stimulus in the busy parks of The Hague, with many, many dogs to choose from as temporary friend. Listening to his parents took secondary priority for a few days! He is slowly adjusting to the new reality; at least he doesn't mind the poor autumn weather. And he loves the beach.
