Atom Heart Mother on Cholonge - Villard St Christophe circuit

Is old age setting in prematurely? As we approach our ninth anniversary at Vaulnaveys, a 3-hour aller-retour drive for a weekend day-walk in the high mountains, with snow lingering above 2000m, is beginning to feel too much effort. So today we took the option of exploring a walk virtually on our doorstep: a lovely circuit between Cholonge and Villard St Christophe, on the Matheysine plateau near Laffrey.

It was - once again - a revelation; gorgeous rolling countryside that reminded me of England and Juan of León (!). How has it taken us until now to discover? Why have we driven guests hours away from home to experience the wilder side of chez nous when there is all this so close by? Apart from an unbelievable display of marsh orchids in a meadow at the start of the walk...

... and stonking views of the Obiou...

 ... we had glimpses of the Laffrey lakes (my top favourite in summer, especially with visitors):

shades of "Atom Heart Mother" (Pink Floyd, 1969), says Juan - and he's right; new to me - and what a great album!

But it's all to do with the season. This walk would be hot hot hot in July and August - when the attraction of lolling around the lakeside beaches would be too much to resist. Today was fresh, early summer with all the potential of summer treats ahead.