Hike to Plan d'Aguille

Finally, Toby and I did a hike together today. He's planning on a three-day trip 'up some mountain' (mountain yet to be decided) with Pete in a few weeks' time, so he was anxious to get in some training with a large sack on his back, and I was just keen for a hike. So we hiked up to Plan d'Aguille, at 2300 m, and then took the cable car down. The weather is supposed to turn tonight, with rain forecast for the week-end, so it was glorious to get out in the sunshine and the cloudless blue sky, with the fall colours on the mountain. I, of course, was carrying a tiny little bag so I was able to keep up without too much trouble. I MUST be getting fitter - I don't think I would have been so casual six weeks ago. I had a bowl of soup with bread and cheese at the refuge at the top, sitting in the sunshine enjoying the view, while Toby hared it back to the office. He muttered something about wanting to 'get something done today', but I clearly had no such concerns. What's this year off about, anyway??

 Toby, on the way up

 Hiking down (staged for the camera)

 Fall colours

Me, my coffee and (can you just see it reflected in my glasses?) my slice of tarte aux pommes at the top. Bliss.

We also treated the girls out to a meal in town the other night, mainly because it was such a beautiful, warm evening it seemed a shame not to sit out on a terrace while we still have the chance and enjoy the sights of the town going by. Sadly, I was yet again disappointed in the food - we did have to go by what was open at 6pm (I can tell you, not a lot) so I think we ended up, again, with a great location and pretty poor food. I think we're still eating like tourists. I'm particularly appalled by the 'kids' menus' here - they each had a dried-up fish finger and luke-warm fries with nary a fruit or vegetable in sight, and some very cheap and nasty ice cream for pud. Where's the French pride in feeding their kids well? Toby did observe that for the price of the girls' meals we could afford to hire a babysitter for a few hours, so next time they're definitely staying at home and we're going to eat somewhere nice. Still, it was fun to be out and about in the evening - something we haven't done too much of so far.

I enjoyed my wine at least

 Climbing the statue before dinner

Indie & Toby