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End Of Winter Treat

Posted on
May 20, 2018
Champangy en Vanoise

Hi everybody and welcome back to a bonus blog post from the end of last winter. I've been back in the UK for just over three weeks now; Méribel and her mountains seem like a long time ago already. Regular readers will probably recognise the pattern from previous winters now so - not wanting to disappoint - yes, I was up to my usual trick of treating myself before heading home. In-between making my last few turns up the mountain before the ski lifts closed, and packing up the apartment, I always try and get across to the Vanoise National Park.

It's such an incredible place to visit, this first National Park to be established in France. One of the main reasons the park was formed, other than safeguarding the area from development, was the protection of bouquetins.

And I'm jolly pleased that they have been protected, because not only are they gorgeous animals, they have such great character as well. It's almost as though they hold some form of spiritual effect over us humans! "Where are you going with this Martin?" I hear you ask. I don't know to be honest. But take my world for it, being up close (ish) to them is a real privilege.

It's such a treat being able to observe some of their character, but to also remind yourself that these wild creatures somehow survive the harsh winter up at high altitude. Can you imagine what last winter was like for them with all of those storms and the record snowfall that we had?

Anyway, as you can see they all looked rather splendid and were in the process of starting to lose their winter coats ready for the next phase of spring and then summer.

Speaking of which, summer feels as though it has firmly started here in the UK, helped along by the sunny Royal Wedding yesterday. I'm not totally sure yet if I will make it back to Méribel for a holiday in the next few months, fingers crossed on that. If I do then of course I'll be sure to post on here. Have a great summer everybody, and don't forget to keep treating yourself. Martin.

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