Staying In a Bubble In the Mountains

On Saturday we packed bags , loaded bikes and kitesurf gear plus the Rando Chiens into the van and headed back to Blighty, arriving two days before the crazy two week quarantine law came into effect.

After almost three months of lockdown and gradual release in Serre Chevalier, it was strange to burst out of the bubble where we've felt pretty safely cocooned and virus free. Even though we had to endure the initial leashing to one kilometre maximum distance for exercise from home, for an hour max and carrying attestation (permits), it's actually been, dare I say, an enjoyable time for us - and the Rando Chiens (our two Jack Russells) who have been our constant lockdown companions and exercise buddies.

The calm and the peace of the mountains, especially without any tourists or tour operators, but with space, fresh air, healthy eating and active lifestyle, is the sort of sanctuary you'd pay serious money for as a retreat to recharge the batteries.

Our batteries currently feel supercharged. We even ran up and down the gruesome Granon, over 1000m vertical and a half marathon distance while Gavin completed 100 miles cycling the classic Boucle d'Izoard and the Col du Lautaret two days before.

As we were leaving the mountains, the resort of Serre Chevalie, along with the rest of France, was slowly coming back to life. Bars, including our favourite Petit Serre Che, opened their doors and we had our first lunch out for three months after a quick 400m vertical sprint up the old Galibier track. At Fred's cafe restaurant, Ferme on the Lautaret, popular with ski tourers, cyclists, snow-kiters and hikers guaranteed a warm welcome and hearty lunch, it was business back as usual, apart from some arrows on the floor, wider-spaced tables and a mask or two.

Meanwhile, if you can't wait for a holiday but are suffering FOGO Fear Of Going Out as opposed to FOMO, then here's an idea, why not go from your isolation bubble at home to a bubble in the mountains?

In Chamonix, where the summer slogan to entice tourists back for the holidays is Ouvrez La Voie, Open The Way, there is the opportunity to stay with a view of the majestic Drus, next to the Mer de Glace Glacier, in a transparent bubble hanging from the trees in the Mottets forest. This is not a five star holiday, it's a million stars seen above you in the night sky.