Plateau des Glières

On Easter Sunday we packed the dogs into the rental car and drove to Plateau des Glières for a nice, long walk.

The plateau is actually a valley of several levels surrounded by limestone mountain cliffs. It is also the place where the French Resistance set up their base and hid out during WWII.

Apparently the plateau is a great big bog - a bit like a living sponge covered in mosses and grass and a  variety of mountain flowers.

moss and stuff

It is also a very popular place for activities year-round from caving to snowshoeing, skiing to walking and hiking,  and even cycle racing. It is also a great place for snowkiting and a toboggan run is set up for kids (and me!) each year.

At this time of year the snow is mostly melted and the grass that slept under the snow all winter is flat and grey, but everywhere you look the bog is coming back to life and new plants are forcing their way up through the dead bits to transform the plateau into a green, flowery masterpiece.

First, we visited the Maquis des Glières (Free French Resistance group) Monument at the bottom of the platuea.

Maquis des Glieres monument

so THIS is what the French flag looks like *grin*

On our way up, we bounced along on the spongy ground trying to dodge the muddiest spots. It wasn't exactly easy, because the ground is quite waterlogged from the melting snow. Here and there we found snowy patches that we giddily jumped into and played in with the whippets.

There is evidence of a great many moles living in the bog. See?

 And we found several shallow pools of water on the path with frogs'eggs floating in them.

Sadly, we also came across some dried out patches containing shriveled-up eggs. I hope these babies make it before it gets too hot.

At the top of the plateau we stopped for a chocolate (not because we needed it, we were just greedy (and it's Easter) *rolls eyes*), admired the view, and let the dogs race up and down the hill between us.

look at me! I'm on a rock!

water and choccie break

We passed many streams and little waterfalls from the snow melt on the way down to the valley. Alula jumped into a shallow pool and then suddenly jumped out with pained surprise on her face when the bitterly cold water started biting at her feet. Kaya wisely ignored the water.

Then Alula decided to attack a stream. It was hilarious. She had her nose stuck right into the cascading water, frantically biting the stream.
HAHAHAHA crazy bloody animal

the original Wacky Whippet!

Alula eating snow

Kaya catching a snowball

Down at the bottom we spotted a gaggle of joggers running down the opposite mountainside.

can you spot the joggers?

Before departing, we did what comes naturally when nature calls - we found a mountain hut with a public WC. This is one of several mountain huts turned into restaurants or retreats, where tired mountain climbers and walkers can sleep or just stop for a bite and a drink.

When I went into the restaurant to ask where the toilets are, I saw some people enjoying fromage (cheese boards). It is served on a large wooden plate, loaded with a selection of huge chunks of cheese and a bit of bread. You lazily shave off bits of cheese and savour the flavour, and in-between nibble on the bread and sip your wine. Mmmmm yummy.

This restaurant seemed to specialise in deserts. What I glimpsed looked fabulous, but we had to skip eating here as we were heading to La Clusaz, a small ski resort nearby, to have a wander around the village and see where we will no doubt spend a lot of time next winter (just one of many!).

The drive to La Clusaz from the plateau is on a very windy road. Mr Fluff thought that it was by far the craziest, hairpin-bend one-laner (with two-way traffic!) that we have ever been on. I agreed, and so did the dogs. We were equally green when we finally turned onto the motorway.

The following pics were taken from the car - on the way to La Clusaz.

And here is La Clusaz, where we had the most stunning chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream. It was too late for lunch, so we settled for desert. Easter only comes once a year, after all! Any excuse is a good excuse to indulge in a chocolaty treat, innit? :0)

The dogs loved our outing and were kaput when we got home. Alula chose the comfiest spot, and poor Kaya had to make do with their doggy bed.

Alula, snug as a bug

At the end of the day my only thought was that I can't wait to go back!

So many activities await. Woo-hooo!!!

Sunday. Sunny, sleepy Sunday

Last weekend we decided to visit the United Nations based in Geneva, and then to laze the day away in the Botanical Gardens. I have come to the conclusion that every Sunday should be spent like this - peaceful, lazy and barefoot on the grass.

We caught a bus to the Palace of the Nations (UN) to see the Broken Chair:

(Broken Chair is a monumental sculpture in wood by the Swiss artist Daniel Berset, constructed by the carpenter Louis Genève. It is constructed of 5.5 tons of wood and is 12 metres (39 feet) high.

It depicts a giant chair with a broken leg and stands across the street from the Palace of the Nations, in Geneva. It symbolises opposition to land mines and cluster bombs, and acts as a reminder to politicians and others visiting Geneva.)

We had to dodge the fountains that threatened to soak us every time the breeze blew our way.

Mr Fluff is very skillful at dodging the spray

make love, not war

it had to be done! Don't mess with my finger!!

After the near impossible task of staying dry, we walked down the hill towards the Botanical Gardens and the lake.


There we spotted a singing frog; monstrous koi and other fishy beasts; a slinky lizzard; a shy turtle devoid of his ninja kit; an array of feathered folk singing in the trees, playing on the water, sweeping through the skies searching for prey, and basking in the sun on a rock; and fairies hiding behind a waterfall. Obviously. 


I tell no lies and here is the proof

a kid was teasing him into song, and he happily sang his sweet song for us

250 years old

After a light lunch of tartlets and a small bottle of wine, we watched kids enjoying themselves on the funkiest merry-go-round I have ever seen

Mr Fluff commented that perhaps I (and the parents?) were enjoying it more than the kids, but I think not.


After sharing the wine in the sun we had no choice but to find a grassy spot where we could have a little siesta. On our way past the lake we licked and sucked on an ice cream and then we found the perfect spot, slightly uphill with a beautiful view. 


Mr Fluff fell asleep almost immediately, and I had to wake him a few times when he started snoring too loudly. I blame it on the wine :0)


While my boy lollipop was skipping around in dreamland, I blissfully people-watched, basking in the peacefulness of the afternoon.

making daisy chains

the lovers' bike

I heart Geneva!

On our walk back to Geneva, Mr Fluff spotted the block of apartments behind our temporary villa. As you can see we are up on the hill, with a lovely park between us and the lake. Sadly we don't have a view, but the apartments behind us most definitely do!

Back in Geneva, as we were crossing the bridge to our side of the lake, we saw a family on rollerblades staring at something in the water. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but we were gifted with this...

The last leg of our walk took us past the English Gardens and the flower clock. This time of year Geneva bursts with flowers all along the lakeside and in every park. Stunning.

This is what every Sunday should be made of: Bliss and peacefulness.

Sometimes all you need are the simple things in life to restore balance- a patch of grass and a tree or two.

xx