The last full day in Courmayeur was lovely. The weather not so much, but Hubby had a ball. There was a fall of snow early in the morning which meant there was there was thick powder on the top runs. He was buzzing when I met him for lunch.
Lunch had been arranged at a very popular restaurant at the top of the gondola. Well, it was actually at the other side of the piste, which when you are on skis is not a big deal, but being on foot meant hiking across the piste, uphill, through soft snow, through the fog.
Things did not get off to the best start. Our reservation had been cancelled somehow, and after a rather stressful negotiation and a 45 minute wait in the fog, a table was found. But boy was it worth the wait. The food was superb. Chieccos, is a first class restaurant. What had not started out in a promising manner, turned into one of the best meals I have ever had. We happily rolled back across the piste. Phil and I did a bit of a Cha Cha Cha to some house music that was coming from the very loud après ski party going on. We all agreed it was the perfect end to a fantastic week. And yes, I did walk across a snow covered piste with a handbag.
Looking out the window, I can only see a few yards. The weather in the mountains is certainly changeable. A couple of days ago it was crystal clear. A perfect day to go up the mountains for a look at the view. The first stage is on a modern gondola which can hold 120 people. This takes you to the access point for skiers. The second ride is in a bubble lift, which holds 6 and is quite cosy. The third lift is a cable car which would not have looked out of place in an old James Bond movie. On the way back down we stood back to let the skiers get on , the cable car drooped by about a foot as the 19 people got on. It sways and bounces against the side of the station as it comes in. The forth lift was an even older cable car. Honestly if Jaws had been riding on the roof, I wouldn't have been surprised .
But it was worth it. The view from the top is fantastic. Mount Blanc is stunning. It really felt as if we were on the top of the world.
One thing about not skiing whilst on a skiing holiday, is that it makes you look around to see what else is out there. It was suggested we go to Aosta as there was a craft fair on we might like. The very helpful staff at the bus station sold us a return ticket for €7 and down the valley we went. Perhaps it isn't the most picturesque valley but the mountains are always worth a view, and I love looking at local villages, of which there were quite a few on the way. An hour later we arrived in Aosta.
It is a very old town and most of its Roman wall and towers are still intact. We went in through the Praetorian Gate which still has some of the marble it was faced with. I did manage to get a peek at the Roman Theatre through a fence as I was too mean to pay €7 for the privalage. Not that you could see a lot as it was mostly covered in snow. We were there for the fair after all.
The town was buzzing. The Foire de Spain Ours is held every year on 30-31 Jan. It started in approx 1017 so this is its 1000 year or there abouts. I had a quick look on the oracle that is Wikipedia and it seems it was started in memory of an Irish monk! We get everywhere.
There were lots of handicrafts, mostly made from wood. Also some wicker work and felt. A number of the stall holders were wearing felt hats.
I have found in the lady who is also a non skier in the group, a soul mate. She takes no persuading at all to stop for coffee and cake. While we were having a rather thick chocolate and enormous frangipan , an elderly gentleman left the cafe. With his very large nose and pointy felt hat, I couldn't help but wonder if this is where gnomes come from . One stall was selling odd sticks with ribbons and bells on the end. We asked the stall holder what theywere and she explained it was a local instrument which is placed over the shoulder and both ends beaten with a small stick. It was fantastic to see a group playing them just before we headed in for coffee.
