I didn't do very well with my walking last week, which was pretty pathetic really because the weather was nice and I really have no excuse (although, believe me, I'm still trying to think of one). I just felt kind of lazy so I guess you have to go with the flow don't you. Our Italian teacher has been off sick for the last month so I decided to check with the community centre to see if she was back on Wednesday as I wanted to get her some flowers as a "get well soon" gift. While I was choosing the flowers I saw the florist had some pretty red tulips in a bag with hearts on so asked if she had any other kind of container as these were obviously leftovers from Valentine's Day. When she said she didn't have anything else she told me just to take them as they were right on the limit anyway and I could have them for free! Nice huh! I didn't give these to my Italian teacher of course (I bought her a lovely bouquet of dried flowers), but it was a really nice gesture on the part of the florist I thought!
After leaving the florist's I decided I really needed to get some walking in so crossed the road to walk in a little park I had spotted some time ago but had never got round to visiting. It was small - seriously, you could walk round that park with a broken leg in about 10 minutes, but at least I got a few laps in and very pretty it was too!
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| Using an old ski lift as a book exchange - neat huh! |
Then today three of us decided to go off in search of the newly-completed 7 km addition to the cycle path near Talloires on Lake Annecy, mainly because the weather was glorious and I believe it has forecast snow come Wednesday. So off we shot and since we really had no idea where to find this cycle path we decided instead to head up to see if we could find the waterfall known as the Cascade d'Angon. Well we found it all right but somehow managed to find the "scenic" (read "vertical") route rather than the easy route. I tell ya, the first couple of km really were vertical and tough going, although if you take it easy and go at your own speed anything is possible really isn't it. Well we made it to the top of the climb into a pasture, then up further to a road, which lead back down towards the path to the waterfall. It was quite slippy going down to the fall but there were barriers and it really was definitely worth the effort.
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| The first part of our climb up above Lake Annecy |
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| Still climbing |
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| This has got to be the most perfect spot for a picnic! |
The little kids in the picture above had to stop every so often and have a drink of "magic potion" to help them up the mountain - turns out it was fruit tea (but it obviously did the trick)!
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| The barriers leading to the waterfall |
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| The "slippy" bit! |
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| The narrow walk around to the bigger part of the waterfall |
By the time we got back down I had clocked up 19,750 very tortuous steps and 15.83 km (or just under 10 miles) but boy were we tired. So we spent the next hour over a lovely glass of cold cider while our muscles started to seize up a treat! I'm so glad I've got yoga tomorrow!
And here's a tip for the uninitiated:
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| Do you think this was why I was invited? |
And can you believe this weather! That is snow on the mountains in the background and these lads are going swimming in the lake. Now admittedly they didn't stay in long and that huge bottle of Ricard may have had something to do with their decision, but crikey, they're braver (or maybe just dafter?) than I am!
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| "Dutch courage"? |
Stunning views and no wonder you were tired! Definitely earned that cider
ReplyDeleteI should say I did earn that cider. It was hard work but so worth it isn't it!
Deleteclimbing is very good for your circulation, though for most it's a hate / hate situation. I'll bet that water was... cold, and the poor things only had one bottle.
ReplyDeleteI'm fine just trudging along in my misery as long as you leave me alone, but when you get to the top it's so worth it. And if I don't do it in this weather, when it's perfect and cool, I don't known when I will because I genuinely can't take the heat. I'm absolutely knackered now though!
DeleteJust absolutely incredible views! I'm pretty sure I couldn't walk up a mountain and I admire you for doing so.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I feel certain that the emptied bottle must have had something to do with that (most certainly) frigid swim.
I'm so unfit compared to the locals but I guess you've got to start somewhere haven't you. And that bottle of Ricard was huge - and considering you only have a small measure of it and then top it up with water I reckon that really was the reason they were in that water too!
DeleteThat was a long, arduous walk. But, the scenery was spectacular.
ReplyDeleteWe usually don't know what we're doing (hence looking for the cycle path and ending up at a waterfall) but yes it was definitely worth the climb!
DeleteI'm glad you did it, since my climbing hills days are history. A nice half hour on flat ground is my speed now. But I don't get the spectacular views.
ReplyDeleteYou must be a lot fitter than you say, though. That was quite a workout.
It WAS a real workout - but very much an accidental one. I'm stubborn enough that I can do most of it but I can't keep up - which is why I'm loath to join a hiking group as I find being Tail End Charlie so demoralizing. But no-one was in a rush so it turned out well - and yes the views were so worth it!
DeleteThe views are stunning so the climb was worth it. And going down must have been easier!
ReplyDeleteI always think going down is easier but it's hard on the knees actually so all three of us were glad to get back down. I know I have to keep going though because my goal was always to rediscover this area now that I have the time. So much to do, so little time to do it eh!
DeleteYes, with those views you have no excuse! LOL. Good for you to get all that walking in and that book exchange is so cute.
ReplyDeleteI guess anything worth having is worth working for isn't it. Just gotta keep it up now!
DeleteOur weather has been so attrocious lately I've barely even walked the dog far less climb scenic mountains! I think walking the dog clearly makes a difference to my weight too as I've noticed my waistbands feeling a bit tighter lately (or it could be the chocolate I keep eating!) I need to get back to regular walking but its much harder in horrible weather with no scenery to tempt me! Keep up the good work! I bet you felt that walk today though! I hope yoga sorts it. xx
ReplyDeleteI've been watching the weather in the UK and it is horrendous isn't it. I know we can all expect bad weather in the winter but when it goes on and on it is soul-destroying! And even with all this walking (and doing dry January and nearly-dry February) I haven't lost an ounce can you believe it And yes I still feel that walk as it was quite something - but worth it of course. After yoga I went on another walk yesterday (knowing that the bad weather is coming back) but I still ache. The temptation to get a dog has always been great but I'm still at the stage of relishing my freedom so I doubt it for the moment - although I do love them. We'll see. Hope your weather picks up soon!
DeleteI'm so behind reading and commenting! I bet getting out and walking again has been a treat. Knock on wood, but we might have good walking weather this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'm thoroughly enjoying it to be honest - you'll have to get your daughters to drag you out this weekend!
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