porridge and teabags

John and I have just come back from Megeve, having driven the minibus out loaded with (inter alia) porridge, teabags, scaffold tower, paint, carpet, fridge, tools, plants.   It was drizzling when we left London but hit sunshine through  the Jura and then it was beautifully sunny and hot in Megeve.  Tracey and I planted out the planters at the Rond Point and we found lots of pots etc for the Sylvana and Clochettes.  Hopefully everything will survive and bloom.  I did go overboard on what I bought but then they were so cheap at B&Q.  

Johnny and Tracey are working really hard to get everything spick and span.  All the little things, such as varnishing the clothes knobs in the rooms, are being done.  They are off to do some mountain biking and a via ferrata with friends this weekend.  There is still snow on Mont Joli as the temperature has only warmed up in the last day or so.    The shops and restaurants in town were starting to open in time for the summer season.  The  council were planting out their planters (not as good as ours!)  We are out in July  and looking forward to it.

Summer in Megeve

Johnny and Tracey are out in Megeve, beavering away at maintenance or taking in the joys of `Metro.   Last week there was snow in the village but summer has arrived at last. They had a  lovely walk yesterday round the lake at the Javen restaurant which was alive with tadpoles.  We are out in July for the jazz competition and Gordon's birthday.  We have 2 bands staying at the Rond Point this summer.   3 years ago we had a Dutch band staying with us that won the competition which was very exciting.  If you haven't been to the jazz competition you should come.  It is huge fun, particularly late at night with the jam sessions at the Caboche bar.  

Jean-Marc and Nicole will be running the Rond Point this summer on a B&B basis so if you haven't experienced Megeve in the summer why not find out what you've been missing!

Superior self-catered chalet Roseau now available for next season!

New Year is not available but Christmas is from Thursday 19th to 26th Dec in this chalet.  Christmas and New Year are proving popular with the Rond Point already fully booked and the Sylvana is filling up.  The Clochettes is still free but now is the time to book.  Flights are already out and we are holding last season's prices for this season until the end of June. 

Still skiing

It snowed heavily on Tuesday so Wednesday was a brilliant day. As usual, we ended walking uphill in deep snow. We skied the field at Communailles and I did not remember until we were on the track that the bottom button lift was closed so we had to walk up to the chair. Mont Joli was good in parts but there was quite a lot of wind crust. Most of the lifts are open except for the Princess, Mont d'Arbois and lifts from Chatterix and St Nicholas. That means you have to drive round to St Gervais which is annoying. Every year John speaks to the lift office to ask why they can't keep the Mont d'Arbois lift running but they never do. Cote 2000 is staying open until the 21st but everything closes this Friday. There is no one around so they must be losing money but it seems such a shame when there is still a lot of snow. Anyway, today was raining and all the staff have now gone home. We leave on Sunday which is going to be a sunny day. That's life.

Last day

Cloudy and cold this morning but the sun came out this afternoon. We have had a fantastic week with the grand children who are now all skiing blacks, even Tommy aged 5. We had the staff barbecue tonight and tomorrow is the French dinner. Then it's cleaning and packing everything up and home to tennis. We are feeling a little bit sad but looking forward to next seaon.

Family skiing

All the family arrived on Sunday together with 2 other families, so there are 8 adults and 9 children in the Clochettes.   John and I are sleeping in the Sylvana!   T he weather has been good, particularly the first 2 days, and the grand children are doing amazingly well at their skiing.   Emily and Anna (both aged 10)are having lessons with Katie Campbell.  She has been teaching them since they were 5.   Lizzie and Tommy (8 tomorrow and 5) are sharing a lesson with Maya.  In the afternoon we are skiing with them which is hugely rewarding and good fun, particularly as they like following Grandma "because she skis fast". 
On Tuesday evening we had the works outing to the luge at Les Saisies.  Not only did all the staff go but also most of our guests.   There were about 60 of us with a long convoy of vehicles looping up the mountain.  It was snowing quite hard (just like last year).   The luge is a roller coaster and is very exciting - it's obligatory to scream as you hurtle round the corners.  Most of the lifts close this weekend although the lifts at Cote, Lanchettes and Petit Fontaine stay open.  There are very few people around. We ate at the Gouet yesterday and the Radaz today and in both restaurants virtually all the guests were English.

Snowing again!

Where are all the spring flowers?   The poor primroses are covered in snow again.  There are no crocuses (the French word is pierce-neige which seems most appropriate) and I don't think I'll see them this spring.  Usually I sit on the Ideal chair and spot them - they look like confetti or tiny snow flakes.  Anyway, John and I went out first thing this morning.  There were only about 10 people on the Rochebrune ridge and I probably counted most of them twice.  The snow was lovely, about 3 cms but it was snowing hard and I could have done with windscreen wipers on my goggles.   It's been snowing hard all day but it's just about stopped now.  We were planning to do the Vallee Blanche tomorrow with the staff but I don't think the weather is going to be good enough.   There is more snow to come.  What a season it's been for snow.