Mont Blanc

Today we went to Chamonix-Mont Blanc. It's about 60 kms from our apartment, if you take the right roads. The weather was perfect for this destination - sunny with no cloud. The drive there was uneventful. The road went through the Gorges of the Arly and was, as expected very winding and narrow. We got much needed diesel at the the small town of Megeves. Already we were surrounded by snow topped peaks. Nearer Chamonix the road became almost an Autoroute. Chamonix is an attractive quite modern town. We needed a drink and a toilet and sat outside in the already hot sun. The temperature was around 26 degrees and the highest since we got to France. We walked to the Tourist office and got some maps, of the town and a good relief map of the area. To the south the mountains reared up - we were not sure which was Mont Blanc but could see, using binoculars a building right on the peak of one of the highest. How could anyone possibly get up there? We were aware that there various Telepheriques which operated from the town, so, of course one had to take at least one. We chose the one that went to the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842 metres. Whilst waiting for our gondola I worked out that we were going to that building on top of the peak! About 60 people, mostly a group of Japanese, squeezed into the standing room only gondola. What a ride. Squeals from the Japs as the car pivoted going over towers and the views just kept getting more breathtaking. There was a changeover partway up and the last section was almost vertical up the rockface. On getting out at the top Valerie was feeling giddy and Don felt odd. We had just risen 2,800metres and it was suggested that we were probably suffering from the effects of the altitude. We were looking forward to having a leisurely lunch at the restaurant. However it was closed ( a cafe was open) and Valerie could not cope with the many flights of steps needed to get to the cafe and viewing platform. So Don went up and bought some food down to V. This was not quite what we had expected. It is noticeable still in France that consideration for the less able is often absent. The facility was built between 1946 and 1953 and was considered an engineering marvel in its day. Needless to say the panoramas are breathtaking ( now there is an appropriate word). So, we are glad we went but sorry that we could not fully appreciate it all. After getting back to terra-firma we had a drink in the shop and bought some goods. The return journey involved a few extra kms because we thought we knew better then the GPS lady and were on our way to Geneva. For many kms coming back, including the tortuous road through the gorge, there was a bus going very slowly, and gathering a convoy of frustrated drivers behind. 2 powerful cars managed to pass. There were plenty of opportunities for the bus to pull over, as I often do, to let the others through - a very selfish driver. After we got home, the owners came and offered us drinks and nibbles. It was good sitting in the garden and relaxing with them. So, a day we won't easily forget. We certainly won't be driving far tomorrow. On Saturday our route will take us through Switzerland for a while, past Geneva and Lausanne, mostly on Autoroutes.