The approaching storm

Last night we had a lovely supper with our friends sitting on our terrace overlooking the village. We are situated up a hill above the village which gives us wonderful views, and it was the most perfect night to sit out there, warm and calm without the usual evening breeze.

Today was hot and sunny, although rain was forecast. The farmers have been busy all week cutting and harvesting. As much of their land is on the mountain side it is often manual work, as the tractors cannot go on the steep slopes. You see entire families at work, including their children, toiling away in the hot sun, often using scythes to cut the grasses to be stored as animal feed for the winter. This village has a reputation in the UK as being posh as it is where Prince Charles chooses to ski, yet I always think of it as just a farming village, as farming is such an integral part of village life. There is always the smell of manure wafting on the breeze in summer! In the winter the farmers often work on the ski lifts, and there is a strong sense of community here unlike some of the man made ski resorts in France. 

We were a bit tired after our long hikes this week, so today we decided to go for a gentle bike ride. Xena was not keen to do anything, we almost had to drag her out! She was very happy to be pulled along in her Croozer, like a princess in her chariot! To be fair it was hot and I think the stones were hurting her paws. 

After our bike ride we went home and started packing up, as we drive home tomorrow. We are so sad to be leaving his beautiful place, we could happily stay for another month! Every time we leave we feel as if we have not done a fraction of the things we intended to do. We have also been spoilt this year with beautiful weather. 

I stayed home and started making food for the journey - overnight oats for breakfast and our usual quinoa salad for lunch - while Gavin took Xena to the vet for her passport checks as required by UK Defra laws.When he got back we went out again to see our friend's art exhibition that is currently on at the local art museum - this is the friend who came to dinner last night. By now the storm was building up with the most dramatic clouds over the mountains, which is when I took this image.

As we got home the storm broke, with hail and lashing rain. It was needed as it has been so hot and dry here, the rain was something of a relief. 

It will be an early night as we will be up very early tomorrow morning for the long drive home again - we plan to leave at 5am.