Yes, after The Failed Trip to La Chaux last week we went back to see what we could see and check up on this weird new igloo restaurant that they’re building at Col de Gentianes. And we discovered it’s taking shape. And the shape is round. And that one of the Gentianes lifts has glass floors and they rock.

Yes. La Chaux. I mean it’s always sunny isn’t it? Nice open pistes in the winter, always time for a cheeky coffee on the terrace at Dahu, Bec des Roses towering over you and blazing sun. You can even nip up to Col des Gentianes on the Jumbo to look at the spectacular view.

Well, I thought it was a good idea, so we hopped on the lift and headed over. Where it was as cloudy as you like.

So instead of going to look at the non-existant view up top we shot back down, got on a bus, discovered you get free WiFi on Verbier busses now (I know, I was amazed too) and went up to Savoleyres. Where the cloud hunted us down like dogs.

Still, it was fun. And it looked like this:

 

I know if you don’t live in Switzerland it’s hard to believe, but it gets very, very hot here in the summer. Very hot indeed.

And today underlined that point because, at times, the temperature today in Le Chable exceeded the temperature of the sun.

Ok. That’s an exaggeration. But down at the Gouille (which is a whopping gravel pit that was flooded years ago) it was scorching. I heard that it was 33°C in the valley this afternoon.

We’d like to make it clear, however, we are not complaining. It can carry on as long as out wants. Until October anyway.

Yesterday was Ashley’s birthday. And if you don’t know Ashley, she’s of American extraction.

So what better possible way to celebrate her birthday than eating loads of barbecued food (thanks to Chef Ratty), and then setting fire to things in the woods?

Fitting. Inspired perhaps.

But as always with fire, the boys got carried away and after Tim and Antoine had searched out every fallen branch and tree within a 200 meter radius and chucked it on, we began to realise two things – they needed professional help to treat their pyromania, and also that fires that burn at the temperature of the sun incinerate your marshmallows.

And on top of that, Gareth also discovered if you get the fore hot enough you can melt beer bottles – you see, we are nothing if not scientific…

But anyway, if you like photos of fire then this is the blog post you’ve been waiting for.

Ok, we’re not. But this wee beastie was sitting in the middle of the road when Toby, Laika and I were nipping down to the pub. It was touch and go but we managed to make it past…

So the La Chaux Express is running – minus the chairs sadly – and I decided it was fine time I went up  to sit around drinking coffee in the sunshine. At Dahu to be precise.

And as usual it was completely stunning up there, and after a chat with Danielle (the lovely lift who normally works on the magic carpet at Les Essertes) it seems that they’re putting the chairs back on the lift next weekend-ish. I only mention that because going up on chair lifts without skis is most disconcerting and therefore more fun. In my book at least.

Anyway, the guys at Dahu also said there’s the inauguration of the restaurant next Saturday from midday. I have absolutely no idea what it will involve, but I have a sneaking suspicion there will be drinks. So I’ll be there on the dot.