French Alps

Tim and Sharon joined us for a working holiday in The French Alps. Arriving into Geneva in overcast rainy conditions, the sun soon came out to stay and we were able to enjoy walks to Roc De La Lune and up to the snow at Lac Pierre Blanche. With melting snow running in on one side, we took the plunge on the other, for a brief swim. The sun soon warmed us again.

We walked on into the snow on the way to the Col, but decided against risking life and limb on slippery hard snow. Instead we built a snowman.

Dave, Tim and I spent an afternoon climbing up a mountain stream in fast-running melt water (video). Lunch at Chez Pepe's was the culinary highlight of a week where we ate very well indeed. We got the Reberty chalets prepared for the incoming team and had a few days handing over top tips for the coming summer season. A marvelous way to enjoy the company of our lovely friends in the most amazing scenery. 

Perfect Day

An early start saw us putting Jackaroo in the water at Mylor and the riggers 'stepping' the mast for us.

Then it was a picnic at Castle Beach and an afternoon reading and snorkelling (video) . In the evening Claire played tennis and I rowed with the Supervets, the highlight being seeing a dolphin cruising past us - at Castle Beach! What a day.

Portreath

We rode the trail up to Portreath for tea overlooking the windy beach.

Lago Di Garda

We had an amazing week in Italy at the Grand Hotel, Gardone Riviera on the NW shores of Lake Garda. We were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary, Antony and Claudia's 20th anniversary, Pam's 75th birthday, Claire's 50th, Hannah's 25th and Luke's 23rd (the previous week). The Grand Hotel is the oldest large hotel on the lake and our rooms opened onto balconies with lakeside views. The service and food was excellent, we managed to behave ourselves impeccably, dressing smart for dinner and casual for lounging about. On arrival, after pre-supper prosecco we immediately felt that we could get used to this sort of living.

The whole area is immaculate, with well-tended gardens, patterned tiles for pavements, lush vegetation and mountain backdrops. Everything seems to look over Lago Di Garda, with impressive villas since Roman times. Mussolini lived nearby and The Third Reich also knew a nice place to hang out when they saw one! The quickest way to get about is via boats, which crisscross the lake, whisking you to pretty towns for coffee and icecreams.

We had a day in Venice which is an absolutely unique city, with EVERYTHING relying on boats. The skyline is pierced by the roofs of wonderful buildings, with a myriad of waterways running off The Grand Canal, the main transport artery. From Piazza San Marco, we took a gondola ride under The Bridge of Sighs and around this labyrinth. We walked to the Rialto Bridge where we had lunch watching the boats and the people. 

Having never been to Italy, we left delighted to have discovered such an amazing country (video) and wanting to see and experience more. We'll definitely be back. Arrivederci.