Le Lac Bleu Camping International (10/02)

Annecy holds great sentimental value to my husband and his family, so no trip would be complete without a visit to their beloved Le Lac Bleu Camping International...
It is a large campsite that also boasts their own caravans that you can hire - along with apartments for those who aren't too camping friendly: that would be me. Despite my hate for camping, how could you not like the view:

Along with the view, they had wild strawberries growing amongst the campsites...

Next to the campground was a sailing school/boat rental facility.

One of the guys working there had the most amazing dog. She was such a sweetheart and insisted that I rub her belly. She bore a striking resemblance to my Cookie that I had when I was a little girl, so I could hardly resist. It broke my heart to leave her, and if I could have taken one thing back with me from France, she would have been top of my list. Hopefully someday, her twin might end up in my life...On the way back to the car, we passed this pedestrian walking symbol. The leaves made me smile..

The View from Duingt (10/02)

After lunch we decided to go into Duingt, where there are lovely views of the lake. We stopped at a boulangerie for some quiche on the way in.
The "Dog Parking" out front is a complete give-away that we are in France. Yes, they love their dogs so much that there is a specific place outside for you to tie-up your faithful friend while you go inside to get your baguette.

City Hall and Church in Duingt.

A short drive up into the mountain provided stunning views into the valley looking onto Lac d'Annecy.

Here is a close up of the Château de Duingt or "Châteauvieux", the 1896 subject of a painting by Paul Cézanne. The village across the lake to the left of the photo is Talloires, which you might remember from an earlier post.

While they were not open for service, we utilized the parking of the restaurant at Auberge Terre de Bellevarde. This appears to be a collect enterprise consisting of Restaurant, Guest Houses, and Apartments.

They had a kitchen garden next to the road where these lovely little beauties were sticking out.

Here is their kitchen garden. While there wasn't much there, I'm pretty sure they were just finishing up for the summer and were beginning to let the land rest. However, with the size of the garden and the position looking into the valley and lake, I would be in absolute heaven calling this home.

Camouflage Tree: A.K.A. Sycamore (10/02)

My sister-in-law treated us to a lovely lunch at a hotel on the lake. It was such a beautiful location and the garden was lined with these stunning sycamore trees. They were the most striking trees I have ever seen. Each one was a work of art: they all looked like they had been painted in a perfect camouflage pattern that could be plucked straight out of Domino magazine. Now - we probably have them in the US and you might not see what the fuss is all about, but to a Florida girl, they were magic.

A Walk in an Alpine Meadow (10/02)

We didn't find an open place for lunch, but went further up the mountain to a lovely meadow. While it was starting to cloud up in the distance, it was sunny and warm where we were at. Here are some of the images from that walk:

This was beautiful, past bloom but still stunning. I can't remember what this was called, but will post it when I find out. If you know what it is, please leave a comment.

Having a Wild Thyme in France! An obsession of mine is identifying edible plants in the wild. As you would expect from any Ricola advert, wild thyme is growing all over the Alps: Swiss or French!

The FBI in Forclaz (10/02)

We also spotted the FBI. No, not the Federal Bureau of Investigation - the Flying Best Instructor. For 125€, the FBI will allow you to jump (tandem) off this ramp for approximately 35 minutes of gentle gliding down to the valley.

FBI - Pascal Piazzalunga

41, bis avenue de Genève
74000, Annecy

E-Mail: info@tandem-fbi.com

Phone: 06.09.76.50.40

Spotted: Voltron ~ In France (10/02)

On our way to our Alpine Meadow Walk, we spotted this little fixture... I was very excited as I was certain that what appeared before my eyes was Voltron himself, and was slightly disappointed when I was informed that it was only a French fire hydrant.

Coming Soon to a Cinema Near You: Transporter 3

While I have serious issues with there being a Transporter 3, I am happy to see it coming to the big screen on November 26. You see, for several years now, I have fancied myself as Transporter 3. I completely envision myself driving through (mostly) France in a black Audi - complete with my own theme song picked out. The news was broken to me this evening that they have gone behind my back and have made another one. As much is it hurts me, sniff-sniff, I will put on a brave face and support the competition. Besides, I'm sure people would rather watch Jason Statham fight the evils and unjust than to watch me. Only by a few though, certainly. The fact that it starts out in Marseilles is a small saving grace since I was just there last month. That has spurred me on to sort out some more of my photos. Speaking of which, I took over 200 in Marseilles. What can I say? I saw a helicopter in the Mediterranean and I got a little too excited and started snapping away. To my defence, it was hovering over a boat and people were abseiling down - not unlike something that could have featured Sylvester Stallone in Taxi 3!!! Did I mention that 3 was my favorite number? So maybe I will like the new film after all, once I finish nursing my bruised ego...