Skiing like Bode Miller (Day 5 to 7)

Day 5 skiing like Bode Miller

Not a lot to add today we had another great days skiing up at the slopes, the weather was fantastic and the slopes better. We are now back at the Aire in the town as the slopes will be very busy this weekend.....perhaps it's time for a walk.

Don't you just love that helmet.

Day 6

Well one of us is finding the holiday clock better than the other......after a good breakfast we set off at about 11 to do the complete circuit of the lake. It's a good walk that wasn't possible last time we were here it's about 6.5 k all on paths with some narrow sections and one flyover section obviously negotiated with private landowners. The fishermen were out in force!

This one actually caught a beautiful brown trout as we were passing. The walk was very pleasant if a little rough underfoot but gave great views of the town and ski resort. There are lots of these crosses all around the lake but as yet I haven't found out what they signify.

The weather is cold but dry and sunny and the forecast is for more of the same. I never cease to be amazed at the size of some of the Motorhomes over here but this beauty that pulled in last night takes the biscuit......it's got a smart car in the boot.

We headed back for a late lunch then gave the bikes on the back their first outing twice round the lake on the cycle track.....excellent. We returned to a full Aire. They are not to everyone's taste but provide a safe clean legal place to stop with all of the relevant facilities for only 5€ per night, (Brian you can even lose our trucks in here, bet you can hardly spot mine) the best bit is they are nearly always close to the town and the restaurants.....it's Saturday night and I have spotted a nice little Italian 😀 After a lovely spag bol washed down with a small glass or two 🍷🍷 of a tasty red I toddled back to bed......happy dayzzz.

Day7

Well the bell ringers were either in competition or on steroids this morning but either way they got me out of bed. I think they ring them to start the race to the boulangerie as the first one I went to had run out of croissants.......Sunday morning no croissants, what is happening to France! Fortunately the one round the corner had some left.

We had decided on a good walk today and the guide suggested the waterfall at Saut de la Bourrique. The guide said 2.5 hours......I can believe them just, in summer with a following wind. We set off to the start point for everything in Gerardmer the quay by the lake. Once out of town the path got snowier and lots steeper. To be fair it was very well marked with little red circles on almost every tree.

I didn't much like the passages dangereux on this one. There were lots of trees and lots of snow. Getting steeper and narrower the higher you go best describes it. Someone has worked hard up here as the bridges over the stream are all in good condition.

The waterfall at the top was a bit of a disappointment to be honest and the ice around it prevented me getting a photo to do even its mediocre splendor justice

We are going to drive back up to the ski area later this afternoon and spend the night up there (despite the forecast of snow) to gain a march on to the slopes tomorrow.