19 April 2015

wintry La Bérarde

Having undercoated the bedroom I'd started working on at Lauvitel Lodge the previous day, I rewarded myself with a trip to the head of the valley at La Bérarde. Juan and I used to come here regularly, before its relative inaccessibility (1.75 hours from home) put it out of bounds. I hadn't been there since the helicopter rescue in September 2008.

Compared to La Danchère it was still winter, the trees dormant, showing no signs of spring. As I walked towards Châtelleret refuge the numerous skiers whose paths I crossed were an indication of what to expect. Just as I was beginning to get a view of the Meije the soft, deep snow became seriously hard work. I wasn't equipped and had to turn back. But not before having had some superb views of the surrounding peaks, fallen asleep in the beguiling sun, and seen the first pulsatillas of the year.


my turnaround point, and the nearest I got to a view of the Meije

looking down the valley to Gioberney

Vallon de Bonne Pierre


I think Juan (working in Germany this weekend) is going to be a teeny bit mivved...

Back at Vaulnaveys I can hardly believe the change in the garden in just 3 days: the birches and rowan are in full leaf, the lime bursting into life; the "non flowering" wisteria has given us at least 12 flowers; the lilac is flowering for the first time; the pear blossom at its peak; the lawn a riot of wildflowers - including dandelions that I will stop digging up as I now know they're one of the flowers favoured by bees. How convenient is that for task reducing...

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