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squiz Member Member#: 6644 Location: Registered: 27-05-2007 Diary Entries: 3073 |
22nd February 2020 Hiking - Walking: Menthieres Wind Direction: Wind Stength: Surf / Sea State: Air Temperature: Sea Temperature: Weather: sunny Max Speed: Distance Covered: Saturday 22nd February – walk ***** - circuit of Menthieres including the Roche de Beauchateau – sunny :) We actually had a bit of a late night by the time we had sorted out the blog and photos but had another toasty night in the van despite the temperature dropping close to freezing. Woke to clear skies and had a perfect mountain day, deep blue sky with wall to wall sunshine and very little breeze in stark contrast to the UK where it blew yet another gale (Ellen)! Had a relaxing start reading as the sun came over the mountains behind us filling the van with warm sunshine. Mag did her stand up exercises while I sorted out the van for the day and then got the yoga mat out at the back of the van and did my back-strengthening routine followed by breakfast outside. I then did my normal exercises in my shorts for the first time this year while Mag read her book outside too:) The local builders were busy putting the roof on a small extension below us. Then with a picnic packed we set off on a walk which we snowshoed this time last year but because of the lack of snow we only needed boots. We walked up the hill past the tiny farming hamlet and Mag heard a noise in the woods and we both spotted a wild boar trotting off which really made our day as you very rarely get to see them! We followed a farm track up under some pylons onto the plateau and some snow which was fine to walk in in boots. We passed the cross-country ski track sadly not in use as not enough snow then down to the back road which appears to be open for the first time ever since we have been coming here! We were following the yellow marker posts and the tracks of the large group of walkers who did this walk in the dark last night, perhaps in search of wild boar as there is signs of them everywhere here from tracks in the snow to where they have been rooting for food! We have our picnic in the same spot as last year in exactly the same weather, wearing just shorts and a t-shirt - so quiet too :) Refreshed from our French baguette we follow the hiker tracks along a path just inside the woods which takes us higher into the trees. Mag said we had been up there before to see the fantastic view towards Lelex but I couldn’t remember ever going that way before and was adamant she was wrong!!! We came across a sign showing loads of options. The Roche de Beauchateau was only 10 minutes up a very snowy path and we decided to go. When we scrambled up to see the view, I had to admit I was wrong and we had been up there before! The view was well worth it and the rope hand rail to help you up the last scramble always makes it exciting! We even saw a hare:) It was then another scramble down a small path through the trees, down a steep meadow and back to the ski lifts of Menthieres. There were children out sledging and the restaurant was busy as we headed back to the van for a very welcome cuppa. We then enjoyed the warm sunshine reading and dozing but no lovely sunset today. Photo Gallery Here Sunday 23rd February – Relax + two small walks at Le Reculet & Lelex and move on – sunny:) Another top night in our quiet spot above the tiny French ski resort of Menthieres and woke to another sunny day. We had no plans for today so had a lazy start reading in bed as the sun filled the van. Exercises and breakfast, before topping up the drinking water, reading and dozing in the warm sunshine despite a bit of a breeze. We watched four buzzards circle and spar above us:) Then after lunch we pack up the van to head off to the Jura main ski resort of Lelex to hopefully get out on the slopes tomorrow as Monday is the last good day of weather for a week as rain/snow is moving in! For the first time since we have been coming to Menthieres the back road down to Chenzery – Forens is open so we went that way and what the great road it was too as we dropped steeply down into the valley through beautiful beech woods with a snowy ridge high above us - just stunning. We turned off just before Chenzery along another back road past small hamlets and isolated farms. We reached the main Lelex road but were soon distracted by a sign to parking for a walk to the Le Reculet which we later learned was one of the highest points in the Jura. The narrow tarmac road wound its way up until it reached a house which we thought was the end of the line but there was a sign saying parking in 500m. The road turned into a bumpy forestry track, I loved it even though Mag was not quite so keen! Then we reached the small carpark and to our surprise it was full of hiker’s cars including a small French campervan. We parked and were looking a little lost when the girl in the little camper - who turned out to be English from Rugby, asked if we needed help? We then got speaking to her. She and her French boyfriend are living in the van at the moment and doing work on their computers which they can do anywhere :) What a lovely couple they were and we had a nice time reliving a few of each other’s adventures. They said they had hiked to the top of Le Reculet(1719) but it had taken the best part of three hours and was steep with ice at the top! We didn’t have time to do that today but will definately be coming back to do it one day! While we were chatting, a large black bird was circling overhead an eagle of some sort for sure! They suggested a shorter circular walk which we did and returned for a cuppa at the van and to enjoy one of the best skies we have ever seen with some amazing clouds! Then at 5.15 we decided to head down to Lelex hoping things had quietened down as it was probably very busy there today. We soon reached Lelex and yes it was pretty hectic with people mainly packing up and heading home. We parked up in our usual carpark and went for a walk to the ski lift to check things out as there was no snow at the bottom. They had amazingly been able to keep the run down from the top open so it is looking promising for tomorrow. Then it was down to the river in the valley and back to the van just in time to watch another lovely sunset with loud music coming from the town. After a left-over special tea thing quietened down so we should get a good night’s sleep before more mountain adventures tomorrow! |
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