We managed to pry the boys off their bikes this morning to join us for a cable car ride to the top of Pic Blanc. It is 3330 metres high and on a good day has views all the way to Mount Blanc The day started clear and sunny, but clouds had started to come in by the time we made it to the top. The ride up is great, looking back at the village growing smaller and enjoying the fabulous view of the Alpes.
It was chilly up the top and even with the clouds rolling in we could see a long way . We found a bit of snow to play with. Not very much, but when you are from WA a little is a novelty.
We got back off the cable car at the stop for Lac Besson. The boys were keen to have a look after Jude and I had raved yesterday. Jude had conveniently worn non-hiking shoes and so headed back to the village on her own.
We tried and failed to find the path down to the lakes, so Mountain Mike (grew up on the steepest road in the world) took us cross country. We finally found the road and made it to the lakes. They are still amazingly beautiful!
Ken went off chasing photos and blue dragonflies, I wandered around enjoying the views and Mountain Mike found the highest point to sit and contemplate the world.
As we were walking back along the road a flock of horses decided that they would walk on the narrow road too. A cyclist pushed his way through and they moved back onto the grass. As he approached we could see that he was wearing nothing but red speedos. The poor horses must have been terrified.
When we got to the top of the first bend Mountain Mike looked at the road still to travel and decided it was too far . So he took us cross country again. This started out ok as we walked on a path, but then he deviated and we were walking through thick tall grass and weeds. Then we had to duck under an electric fence. He got a zap, which I think was well deserved because things then got muddy. My little fashion sneakers have served me well so far - hiking, rock climbing. touring, even night attire when it was raining in the evening. But mud was the final straw. At some points my whole foot was immersed in the swamp. With a lot of accusations and laughter we pressed on.
Finally another electric fence to climb under and we were back on the official hiking trail.
Soon we were back into the village and the boys took off on their bikes to return them in Borg d'Oisans.
The village is getting really busy. There are people camped all over the place and a real feeling of excitement. I met Jude for lunch (croque monsieurs). She had spent some time at the hotel, chatting to some French man, before heading out for a little wander. We did a spot of shopping and made it back to the hotel to watch a bit of the tour and eat an eclair . Yum! The bar was full of tour watching guests today. The hotel has been pretty empty up until now. We have felt we have had the place to ourselves. Tonight it will be full. The room above us has Australians in, they have hung their flag. There are quite a few of Americans.
The boys returned their bikes and had lunch in Bourg d'Osains, where Mike had a chat with some Italian man, before catching the bus back up the hill. They said there was a lot of noise and excitement on the way, especially from Dutch corner.
For dinner we headed out into the busy village and found a restaurant, Bodega. We sat at about 8.15, by 8.30 people were lining up at the door. We all had steak, needing some iron. It was ok. Ken headed back home with a head ache and the rest of us went looking to see what was going on. There were a lot of people out. Most of the noise was coming from hotel rooms. There were some guys spray painting on the road outside our hotel, guys wandering around with cow bells, and lots of groups of people.
Tomorrow is an exciting day, bring on the tour!

Steps 20,280
kms walked 14.1