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Published: July 11th 2014
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Wow!
Up top of Mont Blanc Landed back from Singapore on this morning of the 2nd of July, quick jaunt back to my house in London to unpack, washings on, have a siesta for couple hours then repack and off I go again - this time I'm away to France for a few days to meet my family who are out there for two weeks. I do sometimes terrify myself at how much I can power on, literally don't know what time zone I live off anymore. So flew to Geneva, had my fave Bloody Mary on the plane to keep me going! My dad kept telling me to make sure that I went out at the French side of the airport at Geneva, so I did as requested only for him then to call me and say sorry actually need to come out at the Swiss side - confused.com. But I eventually found him and my stepmum, Fi. We drove back to the caravan site that they are staying at in Annecy called Les Fontainnes. There is a total of about 12 of us - me, my dad, my stepmum, two little bothers, my aunt Eileen and uncle Marcus with their two kids and my other
aunt Kirsty with her three kids. Mental but I love it, so glad that I had a few days off to be able to come out and see them all as haven't spent time with them for ages! They were filling me in on the holiday chat so far, apparently the previous evening had been some of what of a 'steamin' affair. I see where I get it from! Just had couple wines, made plans for the next day then we all headed to our beds. I'm on a sofa bed which was so comfy, could have slept in a bath tub to be honest at how tired I was.
Up early and out adventuring the next day. Drove to Chamonix, which was about an hour or so drive away but we took a scenic route which made the journey twice as long. Lovely though. Chamonix looked absolutely stunning, especially with the mountain views and Mont Blanc. We had our cheese and ham baguette picnic lunch -speciality in our family, loves a picnic. Especially when it would cost about 8 euros in a shop for a baguette! We then got the cable car upto the top of Mont Blanc.
Wow! So beautiful! And strange to see the glacier and snow everywhere when it is so warm. It said it was to be minus 1 degrees celcious at the top but didn't feel like it, I got the shorts back on. When we got to the top we got handed a cable car number and got told we would be leaving at 5.15pm - at this point it was only 2.30pm. So we had three hours to kill up there, thankful it really didn't feel as cold as minus 1 degrees! So we had a wander, just taken away by the scenery. We could see people climbing the mountain - absolute legends! There is a viewing point up an elevator and you stand in a glass box overlooking everything. This did sound amazing but apparently you need to be up there early in the morning as queues are massive. Managed to kill about an hour just having a wander around then we headed to the cafe for hot chocolates. I had mine with some rum - nearly blew my head off, strong stuff! Afterwards we went up to the area called Chamonix Terrace and lay in the sunshine taking in
the views. We went down at our allocated time of 5.15pm for the cable car back down to find out that they were behind schedule as it was so busy. So we didn't get to go down until about 6.30pm. Was ok, there are worse places to be stuck. Soon as we got back down on land it was search on for a restaurant. We went to one which was by the river and got to sit outside. Couple of carafes of rose wine were ordered firstly, then for dinner Fi and I shared a fondu which is basically just a pot of melted cheese and you dip bread into it. Oh my goodness, was unbelievably so good! Didn't want it to end. Great meal to finish off such a fab day! Can imagine how amazing this place must be in the winter for ski seasons. The drive back wasn't as long as we took the motorway route. Bedtime as soon as we got back.
The next day was a chilled one, which was needed. Started the morning with some croissants and pan au chocolates - settling into the French cuisine quite nicely. After breaky me, the stepmum and my
aunts went to a water aerobics class which was hilarious. Then sat by the pool with our kindles and books for couple hours in the sun. Lunch was a little selection of hams, very smelly cheeses, baguettes and salads - I say it with all food as I love to eat everything but definitely loving the French grub, and wine of course. After lunch we went down to the lake. Again gorgeous scenery, reminded me a bit of Loch Lomond from back home although just warmer and bit more mountainous. The kids were right in the water and jumping of the dock. Us ladies just sat chilling 'on the dock of the bay.' I eventually went in for a wee swim with the aid of a stingray float that had been bought. Stayed down here until late afternoon then we could see the storm clouds approaching so back to shelter. The weather had predicted storms about 5pm and they were very accurate (for a change). Was a massive thunder and lighting storm literally right above our caravan and there was even hailstones! The kids went down to the bar - they hung out there every night, obviously not on the
beverages but just for wifi and to watch the World Cup. I can't believe how grown up they all are now - between 10 and 17 years old. Still little characters though. Us adults opened the gin and got started on dinner. Then the wine was flowing, I adore my reds. Was on a Corbieres which was very much to my liking. Probably a bit too much, felt pretty drunk. Was a nice little night with lots of chat going on. My dad, uncle Marcus and I went down to join the kids at the bar for the second half of a Brazil game. Brazil won, woo! Staggered back to caravan afterwards and hit the hay.
Couple of woozy heads the next morning. Feeling back to normal again after some coffees and croissants. Today we drove into Annecy. Picnic with baguettes, again, by the lake. Weather was meant to be raining today but was sunny and hot again which was fab! Left the boys to a game of football and us girls went a wander around the town. Was such a cute little place with lovely buildings and river running through it. Stopped off at a frozen yogurt place which
was nice. Went back for the boys and they were out on a pedalo and diving in the lake - little water babies. Then it was back to the campsite and on this evening we had a BBQ - my dads speciality. Was yummy!
Couldn't believe it was my last day already the next morning, gone in too quickly. It was my little, big about a foot bigger than me, brothers 16th birthday. Still remember when he was born and just a little dude. Soon will be joining me on the nights out! We just stayed around the campsite, chilling at the pool and had a lovely big lunch - baguettes and smelly cheese again! So good! Had my last vin rouge of the holiday with my lunch then I had to go to the airport to fly back to London. Been put on a flight to Korea the next morning - just to wind up the body clock a bit more!
Had such a fantastic time. What a stunning place and getting to spend quality time with my family was just priceless!
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