The good, the bad and the bloomin' horrid!

Bonjour everyone.

We've now found another, more local cafe (the Cafe de Paris in our local town of Bourg d'Oisans) with free wi-fi access (or "wee-fee" as it's pronounced around these parts!) so here's our latest update.
First, "the bad". We drove over some winding, undulating and down-right scary alpine passes yesterday to visit Briancon. Its a larger town round here (although Astley Bridge would constitute a "large town" in this part of France!) so we thought it might be worth a look. Although the drive was pretty hairy it was also spectacular and quite enjoyable in a masochistic sort of way. I've attached photos of M in various parts of the alpine scenery but I guess once you've seen mountains, meadows, snow and stuff on a picture then you've seen them all so I probably won't impose any more on you. However, when we eventually got there, Briancon itself was a bit of a shabby disappointment and so it gets the title of "the bad" in this blog. We had a nice lunch there (see photos of lovely bruschetta and cokes!)but then had an encounter with "the bloomin' horrid"! We had the misfortune to have to use Briancon's public loo - yuk!!! It was filthy, very smelly and full of graffiti (and not even good graffiti, which I can sometimes appreciate and even enjoy!). It was bloomin' horrible....and we even had to pay 20c to use the loo, just to add insult to injury. And I thought this was supposed to be a sophisticated country. Well, maybe it is in other places but it certainly isn't in that corner of Briancon (I've attached a picture as proof and so that you can all share my disquiet!).
Anyway, on to "the good". Today we set off early and drove the 160 miles to Chamonix and Mont Blanc. It was quite a distance so we'd checked the maps and had spotted a decent looking road which would cut across country and shave a few miles off the journey. However, disaster was never too far away - we were sent on a diversion or, as the French appropriately call them, a "deviation". It took us up some of the smallest, twistiest roads we've ever driven on and was awful. I felt ill and was having to concentrate to hang on to my breakfast. But, eventually, we made it after over 4 hours driving - and it was worth every mile! We went up to the highest point accessible by cable car and lifts (well, we weren't kitted out for walking!) at 3842m (I've attached photos...again) and had our breath taken away both figuratively and literally! The views are indescribable (so I won't even try) and, although you can see our photos, they really never could do justice to the real thing. But we were also feeling a little light headed and dizzy due to the lack of oxygen at this altitude - and we're both a couple of wimps, too!
We spent a good couple of hours traveling up the various stages covered by cable cars and lifts before heading back down in search of food (again!). Around 4pm-ish we ate a substantial, if late, lunch at the first restaurant we found in Chamonix - we were both famished! The weather was hot - it reached 82 degrees today - and so now we both just wanted a sleep but, instead, we set off on the long drive back to Bourg d'Oisans...this time taking the "long way round" and using the more expensive, but straighter, motorways - much better!
We're still finding little quirks and odd things about our shed...I mean, our chalet! We barbecued last night (I've attached a pic of our meals...sad, I know) and it was lovely. We had a barbecue but no cooking utensils at all! Martin had to use some scissors and a fork to cook the meat and I just sat back laughing. A local cat adopted us and sat waiting for scraps - we saved it some but not too much...we didn't want to feel like we were cheating on our own cats! However, it was sat outside waiting for us again this morning. It didn't seem to be interested in boiled eggs and yoghurt so I think it's fallen out with us now - fairweather feline!
We are now sat outside the Cafe de Paris drinking wines, coffees and eating peanuts and locally picked, sweet cherries donated by the bar owner. Its still very warm and lovely and things don't get much better when on holiday in France.
Anyway, that's enough from me today. I'm sure we'll get another update on here soon....technology, and Cafe de Paris, willing!

(PS: Sorry - I know the photos all appear on this page in some random order but I haven't quite got to grips with how to change this (and I think I'm putting the same photos on twice every now and then...)- but maybe I'll work it all out in time for our next trip. Just bear with me for now, please.)

Au revoir for now

D&M
xx