Chapter #15

Les Gets for a week...

felt unusual to be in one place

for such a long period of time:)

We almost had the camp to ourselves,

as the camping season

was about to close.

Sadly for us

the weather was less than kind...

autumn had definitely arrived

in France.

This was a training week,

literally getting back on the bike.

But it gets cold in them there hills,

around this time of the year:)

So walking up them

was a really good way to

get warm:)

The change of seasons

brought a whole new

display of flowers and trees,

and toadstools!

Everywhere...toadstools 

and mushrooms 

of every shape and colour...

And even though the weather

was at times quite "damp"

with foggy mornings

and flipping cold nights...

still beautiful wildflowers

to brighten the day...

...shrubs covered in rosehips...

...and trees changing colour

to golden yellows...

It was a slightly testing week,

in so far as cold nights under canvas,

and some wet days

which make it harder to get out and about

but it was always going to happen

at this end of the adventure.

Something we hadn't taken account of,

though,

was camping grounds closing up 

for the season!

It seems that many of the ones

up in the alps

close up in September.

Understandably so,

as I imagine that it wont be so long

before the snow comes.

Towards the end of our week,

after a couple of really wet cold days

in a row

we decided to head out a day early,

back to Briancon for a couple of days,

before heading south to Andorra

for race day.

I am fascinated at how quickly

the seasons have changed

although I think it is more noticeable

up in the alps

where we have spent much of our time.

Almost overnight the temperatures

changed.

Certainly takes a little longer

getting into "bed" at night

by the time you layer the clothes on...

socks, leggings,

tee shirt AND merino thermal,

extra hoodie on really cold nights,

and on a couple of occasions,

gloves and scarf!!!

Yup,

tenting in the French alps

in the autumn...

what can I say...

it's an interesting experience,

and sure makes you appreciate the

finer things in life

like beds with electric blankets

and heaters:)

It would be amazing to see the forests

in all their autumn glory

and to see the first snows

falling:)

The villages we have been to

must look so incredibly beautiful

in winter...

something like a fairy tale

I think:)

So I'll see you in Briancon,

for two of the most incredibly

perfect autumn days

and long walks in the hills:)

Jenny

xx