At last, a blue sky day.......

Downhill skiing on my own isn't something I normally aim to do but, up to this morning, it had been two weeks since the weather has been good enough and more importantly, the roads had been clear enough, for me to set out for any of the ski resorts in the Queyras.

After the last three days which have been particularly miserable with snow and sleet almost all the time I could hardly believe the blue sky which greeted me this morning.

{The view from the windows this morning}

As the van hadn't been moved since Sunday morning I knew the first job (after breakfast, of course) was to dig it out from about 50 cms of snow plus the stuff the snowplough had pushed up beside the wheels. This took me about 45 minutes of work. Fortunately the snow was quite light and hadn't frozen into heavy lumps this time.

Then I sorted my rucksack, made some lunch, packed my ski boots and for good measure, threw in my snowshoes too. I gingerly drove down the hill; the road was still mostly white and a bit crusty in places. As I made my way along the main road into the Queyras I was extremely grateful for 4 wheel drive and the winter tyres!

I decided to go to Arvieux - it's the nearest resort without too much climbing on dodgy roads. Arriving without any problems, I set off to ski the runs at the top of the hill. There was loads of fresh snow - it had all been pisted but was still quite soft and loose in places. This makes for skiing which is slow but can be hard work and a bit 'catchy' on the edges. I managed about six runs in all before my legs began to protest - they haven't done much work lately after all!

{Heading downhill}

{The main tows - not exactly busy!}

The whole resort was very quiet. It won't be like this next week - the school holidays begin this weekend coming! I had parked in the small car park near the bottom of the pistes. The sun was still shining and I decided to take off the skis and drive further on to the car park at the bottom of the road to the col d'Izoard. The road is shut this time of the year and should be pisted for cross country and snowshoes.

I had my lunch in this other car park, sitting on a camping chair in the sun. A rash decision was made to put on the snowshoes and attempt to walk up the road towards the place they call 'La Casse Deserte' on the way to the col.

{Borrowed this photo of la Casse Deserte}

As you can see from the photo above this is quite an amazing place and I fancied seeing it in its winter garb. The sign told me it was 5 kms of snowshoeing to reach it. I set off but it wasn't long before I had to stop and take off my jacket. The climbing wasn't too bad but after an hour and a half I still had not reached the end of the walk. The sun was threatening to drop behind the mountains so I turned round and went back down - just reaching the van as the light changed.

{The start of the col d'Izoard road}

{Brilliant conditions, fresh snow, blue sky and no wind}

It's quite a popular route. I saw several skiers who passed me on their way down, a whole group of snowshoers, and a couple of walkers. When I got home I checked the map and there was probably only about a kilometre left to climb when I turned back.

{Looking back down to the village and the downhill skiing}

 The walk had taken me about two and a half hours. It was possibly another half an hour to get to where the piste stops and you can look down at la Casse Deserte. If I hadn't been downhill skiing first I would have had more time and more energy. But it was most enjoyable. Perhaps when my new cross country skis arrive I'll try them out on this route.

Next time I'll run the Viewranger to keep track of where I've got to - the signs weren't much help - they all said 5 kms!

{Signpost - repeated all the way up the piste}

All in the mix.........

The weather here is mixed - much like it is in the UK at the moment. It's been warmer than usual for January although plenty of snow in the mountains its high water content has led to some high avalanche warnings for the whole area of the Alps.

{Storm bound}

{Last week - skies are blue and the snow perfect}

I've begun to settle into a regular programme. Downhill skiing on Friday and over the weekend when John is here and cross country efforts for some of the other days of the week. Wednesdays are reserved for cross country expeditions with my neighbour Christiane.

{Christane - first across the road at Pelvoux}

The downhill is going well - the pistes are well looked after and my new skis seem to make turns all on their own!

The cross country has been mixed too. As most of the prepared trails are in the valleys the snow has been a bit icy and sometimes soft and sticky. There has been some falling over and one such tumble resulted in a nicely bruised knee!

{Heavy clouds moving away}

Yesterday the sun eventually came through the clouds which were left over after a stormy night. Skiing seemed a step too far so I decided to walk along the river Durance. John had told me there was a new trail, signposted for bikes, towards St. Crepin.

I had lunch first and lazily drove down to the car park at the bottom of the hill.

Much of the night's snow was melting or melted and the path was muddy, icy, and slushy in places, but pleasant beside the river.

{Photo taken on the way back - shows typical condition of the path!}

I was searching for a new bridge which John said was after the camp site. The path continued but I couldn't see a bridge. The sun having dropped behind the mountain by then, I turned back and retraced my steps.

{Passing through the Municipal camp site}

{No sign of a bridge here!}

My Sorel snow boots have developed a problem with the zips. I have had them for about 10 years so I've replaced them with some winter Keen boots called Revels. These have an insulated sole. I'm finding them extremely useful and comfortable. They're great for general use in winter weather and for walking in snow. When I get round to it they'll be good for snowshoeing too! They have a hook at the front to attach gaiters - very practical. I used them yesterday for the walk along the riverside. Despite plunging my feet into deep slushy snow and puddles they didn't leak.

{The fishing ponds at the car park- closed for winter}

{Best view of the day - looking back towards the car park}

Playing catch-up.....

Oh dear, it's been a while since I sat down to write anything here. Not deliberate, but I have been busy doing things. Plenty of walks in December, by myself, with Louise and with the Friday walking group. Some decisions were made about what to take on the Challenge in May - although I constantly keep changing my mind (well, I am a Libran) so I won't write about it until I've properly decided.

Christmas was spent in the Alps. It was really dreich weather and so the skiing didn't get going until after that. The snow is a bit wet at the moment and the avalanche warnings have been somewhere between 3 and 4 for the past two weeks. There's enough to downhill ski on and there have been some good days in the limited sunshine of early January.

I have shelled out for a season pass for the x-c skiing too. It's a good way to make me go and do it! Had a second day out yesterday even though the snow was a bit hard and icy. I have been looking to buy some more cross country skis, the ones I'm using are probably 20 years old, and I find them rather long. I know they're supposed to be long but there are some available now that are slightly wider so it's possible to use a shorter length. Keeping a snow plough with the longer skis puts a strain on my knees that I can do without!

After the last post I wrote about the Inov-8 shoes I reconsidered the wear and tear and decided to contact Inov-8 to find out if this was a problem they know about. In response, they sent me a leaflet about lacing shoes properly. However, an arrangement was made with the retailer (outside.co.uk) and I sent off my shoes for Inov-8 to look at. I then got a full refund as they said they were 'faulty' but unfortunately they didn't answer my question about the shoes. I still have the second pair I bought more recently and I'm pondering whether to wear them for the Challenge or not. If I can keep my pack weight down, even try to lose a few pounds from my body weight (!), then they may be ok.

One of various problems I'm having with my computer is that most of the time it won't read my camera's SD card so there are no photos for the moment. If I can get it all to work without the gremlins I'll post them up later......... That's the photos not the gremlins......

In the meantime - Happy 2014 to everyone.......

Gelder Shiel for lunch....

Despite the weather forecast telling me there would be rain, the sun shone quite warmly. There was a strong wind though. However, if I'm going to get fit enough to complete the Challenge this year, I have to brave the elements. No problem today then, even the sky was blue for a while.

My other problem is a blister under my big toenail on my left foot. Why this has happened I am not sure - but it is quite painful as it keeps hitting the top of my boot. I wrapped the toe up to protect it and wore some cosy merino socks then walked fairly gently, trying not to hobble too much.

I thought that going downhill might be the most problematic so I chose a more or less flat walk out and back to Gelder Shiel, taking my lunch.

{A lot of snow-melt in the River Dee} 

The warm air had removed almost all the snow that had been lying last week. I could hear the River bouncing along well before I reached the bridge.

Apart from the strong gusts of wind which occasionally threw up a tiny bird above me struggling to fly, the walk was quite uneventful and I reached the bothy easily.

{Inside the bothy}

I sat inside to eat my lunch and listened to the wind howling around outside while I read the bothy book. It's a cold place so I didn't stay very long.

{Outside looking towards the Lochnagar corrie}

{Looking back towards Balmoral}

I walked a little way past the buildings to the burn which was in full spate. The ground was wet and there were still some snow drifts, now melting in the sun.

{Best view of the day}

My toe didn't feel too bad but I decided not to push it and started walking back again. A loud 'plop' in the ditch was probably a frog in the mud but I wasn't quick enough to see it clearly.

{A VERY bad photo of some frog-spawn}

There was frog-spawn in the ditch - the first of the year.

Back home, Viewranger says I walked just under 14 km which isn't bad with a sore toe!

Training continues.....

Third day in a row (although I've only posted about two) I was walking yesterday - this time with the local Friday walkers.

Quite a lively group met up at Finzean Church car-park and after a while we set off at a fair pace to walk up to Tom's Cairn.

{Through the Finzean School garden}

{Tom's Cairn}

After the Cairn we met our first small patch of soft snow which was crossed without pausing. We had lunch at the entrance to the forest and then the real Challenge training started. We were being lead by Margaret, who, probably due to everyone doing more talking than walking, some how missed the turning we should have taken. A good Challenge situation! Plenty of GPSs were deployed and a major incident was averted. Getting lost in a forest is a good Challenge tradition........

{Somebody must know the way....}

To be honest nobody would have known we'd gone wrong if Margaret hadn't told us! We normally just follow the leader without any question.....

No harm was done and we even completed a careful climb over some barbed wire (the stile has collapsed) and made our way back to the village with no more trouble. 

{No sitting was tried here....}

 I did manage to miss the bus back home by about 15 minutes but having to wait in the Aboyne Cornerhouse Cafe was not too difficult. The cherry and chocolate chip scone and a pot of tea helped pass the time till the next bus came along.

Viewranger says we did just under 10 miles but it doesn't mention the blister under a toenail which I found on returning home. It was a day off today......

A slow start......

Four days before the cut-off date of 31st March I was offered a place on the TGO Challenge for this year. I accepted and then began to panic......A combination of back-to-back visitors, when we tend to eat lunch out and then have a big meal in the evening, and the continuing cold weather, which increases my appetite, has led to me being rather heavier than I would rather be and although I am ski-fit it doesn't necessarily mean I'm walking fit......

So this morning being the first day home I opened the curtains and watched a blizzard adding more and more whiteness to the garden. I decided to wait till after lunch before going out. John had to go to Ballater to collect a parcel so I took a lift from him and decided to walk along the Deeside Way and get the bus home.

{The start point of the old railway line in Station Square}

{Following the original platform}

At this point a notice board telling me that the Cambus O'May Circular Walk would take me 4 hours attracted my attention. So I changed tack and walked over the main bridge across the Dee and climbed up into the Pannanich Woods to follow the path to Cambus. This would take me to the White Bridge at Cambus where I could then return to Ballater on the old railway line. The mud and snow on the path were deep in places but not too slippery so I plodded on happily. I had packed my Microspikes but decided they weren't needed.

Eventually the forest track flattened out and I passed the picnic tables and story-boards for the Canadian logging camp that was there during the Second World War. I haven't researched this but I know it's quite an interesting bit of local history. At one time there was a move to rebuild one of the cabins and make a visitor's centre but that doesn't appear to have happened.

{Picnic tables on the site of the Canadian Lumberjack camp}

{A story board about the Newfoundland lumberjacks of 1941}

There was a short spell on the road before turning into the woods closer to the River. A good deal of work has taken place to make a good path for walking, cycling or riding a horse along with smart new fences and gates. And signs. There are always signs.

{The new gates}

There were still patches of deep slush but in general the fairly open birch covered land on either side of the path would probably be a good place to find a wild camping spot. I can't help but look out for camping sites....

{A snowman left to enjoy the peace and quiet}

{Through the trees towards the River}

 A bit more history - this time about Torphantrick - once a thriving village. Now there are just a few stone walls left to see.

{Holding up the story board.....}

At last the White Bridge is crossed and I can head back to Ballater. Now the sunshine has gone and there is horizontal wet sleet in my face......

{The White Bridge at Cambus O'May}

The old railway line heads straight back to Ballater. It's a great cycle run which I used to do regularly with groups of children.

{The new cheese factory...}

 It passes both new and old buildings. There were two fishermen on the river bank and the light was beginning to go as some heavy clouds rolled in with the sleet.

{The old Kirk at Tullich}

I just made it with 5 minutes to spare for the bus back to Crathie.

Viewranger tells me I walked 13 kilometres in just under 3 hours. My legs tell me I'm not as fit as I need to be.

There will be more walking tomorrow...............

Whatever the weather..............

The local weather forecast has been promising snowfall for a few days now. There's been a sprinkle overnight from time to time but nothing serious. The last couple of days were not entirely sunny but we downhill skied anyway - until the light failed in the afternoon and we went home early.

On our self-imposed 'healthy' diet sandwiches are forbidden, so I have been racking my brains to come up with alternative lunches. As the temperature is still low the food we choose has to be hot - hence the new toys! So far I've invented spicy rice, mexican bean stew and various curried vegetable dishes.

{New toy - the food flask}

Two flasks were dispatched quickly courtesy of an ebay seller and they work very well. The little spoon lives in the top of the lid. Very neat.

However, even a hot flask of food couldn't tempt us to ski in a thick, cold mist yesterday so we had our first walk out on the snowshoes instead.  I think we went further than we meant to - but it was good exercise. There was quite a lot of snow in the valley at Ceillac and it took us a long time to find a tree to huddle under to eat our lunch. Our food was still hot enough to enjoy though.

{Bit gloomy but still magical...}

Lunches in mountain restaurants are restricted to Saturday only - partly on health grounds and also because of the cost. Eating out every day on a ski holiday for a week is part of the fun but as we're expecting to be here for most of the season it could get very expensive.

{Our lunch venue last Saturday - Abries - double click to read the menu}

After the meal we had at Abries last Saturday it might be my chosen restaurant for the rest of the season. A courgette, goat's cheese and mint tart with side salad and chips was delicious and there were other choices for vegetarians too - most unusual in France.....

Unfortunately the predicted poor weather has really arrived today. A small amount of snow has fallen here and probably much more at the ski resorts. The snowshoeing yesterday was quite strenuous for my shoulder and I could feel it this morning so a day at home catching up with the washing and hoovering was a good option.

{Resting snowshoes...}

Just us.......

After the Christmas holidays things get quiet around here. The small village ski resorts we go to don't get very busy except during the February school holidays and they don't have enough beds for huge numbers of tourists. So our first week of skiing has been without any queues for tows or chairlifts and some gorgeous well-groomed slopes. The weather has been kind too. Blue sky and sunshine......

{Saturday afternoon at Molines - coffee time}

Most of the resorts now have at least a couple of snow cannon to augment the natural snow fall. There was a  reasonably big dump of snow in December and the temperatures have been quite low - so a good base is there.

{From the top at Arvieux}

The advantage of skiing on an empty piste is the freedom to turn or stop whenever and wherever you like - it's a great privilege! My arm/shoulder has been reasonably ok with the extra exercise. Just a bit of an ache in the evening. There are two major worries - if I fall or get bumped and getting on and off the poma lifts. I can do the lifts with my left arm (just) although I've had to adjust my balance a little.

{Last run - down another empty slope!}

The biggest pleasure has been the prevalence of  DAYLGHT which was sadly lacking in Scotland.

Two lochs and some crunchy mud.....

The weather is still swinging wildly from wet to dry with falling temperatures. The hills were white with snow on Friday morning and lower down there had been a hard frost. I usually get a lift to the starting point but this week I was on my own. My arm is allowing me to drive a bit now so I set off to meet up with the group at Dinnet crossroads car park.

It took me a good twenty minutes to clear the thick frost from the windscreen but I was then under-way and arrived in good time. I've been wearing some new gaiters for walking the past few weeks - some Rohan snow gaiters to be exact. So I had donned not only the gaiters but long-johns under my trousers and an extra Paramo layer under the Velez lightweight smock - it was a lowly minus 3! Brrr! It might even be necessary to wear a hat and gloves.......

The walk was neither long nor difficult but very sociable and because the day was bright we had good views of the snowy hills in the distance. On the way we crunched and squeaked our way over frozen puddles and deep muddy patches.

{Loch Kinord in low sunshine}

The first of the good views came as we walked alongside Loch Kinord. The area around the loch has many historical connections. There are iron age remains on the shores and a crannog (man-made island) in the water. Some years ago I believe an ancient wooden boat was found in the loch and is preserved in Aberdeen.

{The paths are marked clearly with wooden signposts}

There is no access to the loch as it is owned by the laird but the woodland around it is run as a nature reserve. There are more paths than are marked on the map and most are way-marked.

{A beautifully carved ancient standing stone}

The 'cross' marked on the map is a wonderful example of a carved Celtic standing stone. A nearby information post tells us this was re-instated in 1957 after it had been kept at Aboyne Castle for many decades.

Shortly after this detour to look at the cross, Margaret informed us she had come the wrong way having missed a path junction. She didn't really need to have owned up to us as we were all chatting so much nobody had noticed! It didn't really matter although we had to walk on the road for a short while.

Soon it was lunch time on a wooded knoll overlooking Loch Davan where there were many ducks, geese and even a swan. The edge of this loch is much more reedy and marshy than the other and is not as often visited. Migrating geese use this loch as a staging post on their way south. A couple of buzzards are often seen hunting in this area and one swooped through the trees as we got ready to set off.

{Loch Davan through the trees}

We wandered on through more crunchy lanes and paths. This would have been a mucky section but for the temperature keeping the muddy dubs nicely frozen. Then a short section along the Deeside Way and we arrived back at the car park as the sun was beginning to drop behind the hills at 2 pm.

The Viewranger measured this walk as just over 8 miles.