The Pug had to go

Hi everyone from Leamington Spa. I couldn’t resist sharing a few more photos of  the gorgeous bouquetins and marmots from a few weeks ago. I had two more days of walking and shooting with Canon after the previous post but before leaving Méribel.

One of my favourite walks in Spring is up and above the Lac de Tueda area. There are a few families of marmots in the area who gradually start to wake up and begin sniffing around. This Spring it was trickier to access the higher areas because of the amount of snow still on the ground. Good fun all the same, even though the marmots probably couldn’t quite figure out what the hell I was doing floundering around. Down at the level of the lake, getting around was much easier.

I also nursed the Pug (my Peugeot car) to one final visit into the Vanoise National Parc. The stiff clutch, slightly leaky undercarriage, mis-firing engine, confusing speedo, erratic sensor warnings and various other challenges were ignored. I had a cracking location that I wanted to visit one last time.

According to my (French) wildlife book, bouquetins are rare creatures. However in the Vanoise National Parc they are of course protected, but also in fact monitored very closely. They are fascinating animals to watch.

For such large animals they have amazing balance, especially if they spotted tasty looking leaves. I read in the book that they were great climbers as well, I couldn’t believe that for one moment, and dismissed this fact due to my possible dodgy translation.

Tell you what though, they were pretty impressive. Perhaps I should have more confidence with my French? Sadly there was no delaying the inevitable that Pug, Canon and I had to leave Méribel. It was a long uncomfortable drive back. Pug had decided to deny me air con again. The CD player had gone on strike in sympathy. Plus driving along the auto route was an interesting experience with a mis-firing engine at 80 mph, for a full 680 miles in France and a further 220 miles in England.

My patience was tested to the maximum, to the point where the Pug had to go. Within a week of getting back to Leamington Spa, Harriet and I said goodbye to the Pug, and said hello to a replacement car we’ve called ‘The Silver Bullet’.

This year I plan to update the blog more frequently than previous summers, so please stay tuned. Plus I will be updating my other skiing blog regularly on www.mh2ski.co.uk . I’m even going to get Mike, the other half of mh2,  to contribute the odd post over the summer. Not that I’ve told him yet !?! Next week I’ll post another article on the mh2 blog and talk about what I’ve been up to since returning. You will also find a few more photos of marmots and bouquetins. Don’t forget you can read more scintillating scribbling on my other blog, see www.hemsleyphotography.co.uk, I’ve posted loads already.

Martin

P.S. I have this theory that makes Harriet roll her eyes. For those who don’t know me that well, I really struggle in the heat - not that I bang on about it much. So over the years I’ve invented a new ground breaking theory that helps me deal with it. I’ve decided that the UK has just three heat waves each summer. Last week was the first, which means we’ve only two heat waves left this summer, how brilliant is that?      

Peek-a-boo

I’ve had a funny time here in Méribel since my last post. One of my goals was to go ski touring, but sadly a few things got in the way of that including a poorly car, and a poorly me! However that means I’ve taken the opportunity to be as productive as I can during this down time at the end of the ski season. Plus I’ve been able to go for a couple of walks out into the Vanoise National Park.

It’s something I enjoy and look forward to each spring. For you to be reading this blog in the first place, outside of the ski season, probably means that you are no stranger to my waffling. If that’s the case, then I apologise for repeating this often quoted phrase, “I so love the mountains, and everything about them.”

The scenery blows me away, the skiing is quite a bonus without a doubt, and I also love seeing the wildlife as well. During the main part of the ski season it can be tricky to spot our furry, hairy and slimy friends. But you see the thing is, many of these friends, don’t want to be friendly with us humans thanks very much. Some creatures have zero tolerance, and others have a considerable distance as part of their personal space. This is where Canon and I play a game called peek-a-boo.

It’s exactly the same game that we all played when we were kids. You did play peek-a-boo didn’t you, please don’t tell me I was the only one with my invisible imaginary friends? Anyway our furry, hairy and slimy friends always spot Canon and I before we do them. This is where peek-a-boo comes into play.

Quite what the bouquetins and marmots think about this ‘game’ played by a bald idiot I do not know. But hey it’s a fun game, I enjoy it, and it’s a good job we are all different isn’t it? My Mum said last night on the phone that “Life would be boring Son if we are all the same”, quite right Mum, quite right.

I’ll be heading back to the UK at the weekend, leaving my beloved mountains, skis and creatures behind, but all good things have to come to an end, for another seven months until next winter. I’ve got soooo much to look forward to. It seems as though I haven’t seen my wife for ages, also friends and family. Plus I’m hugely motivated, and can’t wait to dive back into my Wedding Photography again. If you will miss reading my inane ramblings on here then please feel free to dip into my other blog occasionally on www.hemsleyphotography.co.uk . I’ll be writing regularly about a different subject of course, but with a similar style and passion.

Live with passion everyone.

Martin