LE TOUR 2009: The French Alps!



Week 3 of ‘Le Tour’ and we are nearing the end of this yearly armchair adventure! This week has been an uphill battle, both on the real tour and behind the scenes [i.e. the dull, yet demanding worklife of Julie].



So before we get ahead of ourselves and prepare for the final assault on Paris, I think we should all take some time to relax and enjoy this week’s tour highlight ... ‘The French Alps’




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LESSON 1: Learning to breath

















Take a slow deep breath!



And inhale the .. crisp .. clean .. pollution free air!









Now if your week has had you feeling …



a little on edge



planetware-dom-an-aerial-tramway-to-the-aguille-du-midi-station-in-the-french-alps-f1653-



And you want to just take off ..



and fly away



paragliding - annecy - francetrabelguide-com







Then take a little trip with me…



wiki - 800px-Mbianco





OVER the peaks



wiki - Mont_Blanc_003 - mer de glace





and glaciers of Mont Blanc



wiki - Mont_Blanc_SPOT_1179







THROUGH

the weaving valleys of the Rhone Alps



google earth - rhone alps



until we reach



FrenchAlps





the



Alpine Lakes



lakeandalpinehomes-dcom-annecy- 1





and … the ‘Venice’ of the French Alps







Annecy



with tree lined canals



annecy1





AND colourful boats



annecy2





Are you starting to unwind?



Maybe we should find somewhere

to stay

and enjoy the scenery?








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LESSON 2: Learning to relax















The Lake House



via google earth - panoramia 6



Somewhere to relax



via google earth - panoramia



lexington korg via google earth - panoramia 5 Box_Cushions_Mood_web





forget the world



Lexington

Sleep in Late!

lexington2

Laze Around pondering..

well.. nothing

JessBalony_Homepage



and DREAM





boat b&2










It’s all too relaxing!



I guess we should see how those



crazy boys and their spoked jalopies



are doing







Standings at Stage 18



Standings Stage 18



So what do you think?

Looks like a win for Contador, yes?

No matter the outcome

I think Lance’s performance has been ‘not too shabby’


See you next time…



in … PARIS !





Previous ‘Le Tour’ posts can be found [here]



Postcards From \



[archive image & standings]













ciao Julie





IMAGES



The Alps: #1 - exodus.co.uk, #2 - planetware.com, #3 - francetravelguide.com, #4,#5, #6 & #8 - wikipedia.com, #7 & #9 - google earth images
Annecy: #10 & #11 - google earth images,
Lake House: #12, #13, #15 - google earth images, #14, #17, #18 - Lexington, #16, #19, #20 - Wallacecotton.com, Banner - - google earth images





























































11 comments:

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Ohhhh...I'm feeling totally..Zzz....total..ZZZzzz........tot..ZZZZZzzz... tally......... re ...ZZzzzzzzzz ..relax ..ZZZzzzzzzzz....ed ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz !!!!!!!!
Stunning photographs coupled with some great humour.What unbelievable scenery. I want to be in all of those photos ( well maybe not hanging off of the precipice !!! )I had to throw a few of the cushions off of the bed as I couldn't get in!!!
You're such a good blogger, Julie ( if you'll pardon the expression!! )XXXX

Maya@A Beach Lovers Place said...

Oh my gosh..., aren't the French Alps just wonderful..., and I've never seen the Mt Blanc in person. Have great relaxed deep-breathing kind of weekend!

TracyZLesh @ Then I Got To Thinking said...

Amazing... you're right! Enjoy the beautiful air and the amazing scenery! I am so jealous!

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

Love the lakehouse, especially the beautiful bedrooms!

The House That A-M Built said...

My heart rate is much slower after that exquisite tour. So beautiful! Have a great weekend Julie and thanks for all your lovely words of encouragement over at my place! They mean so much! A-M xx

Tamerie Shriver Halliday said...

Not that I have television to compare, but I think your commentary is much nicer than the TV could ever do. And the photos are spectacular! I think you are right about Lance. He didn't do too bad for a guy who was 'retired' and hasn't trained as hard as he might other wise have done. Anyway, thanks for the update.

Fifi Flowers said...

BEAUTIFUL photos... I wish I was there...le sigh!

Carole said...

The rolling valley of the Rhone Alps looks like something out of Lord of the Rings. It's storybook quality. It's hard to image what it would be like to see these in person.
I love the way you get us all relaxed and then switch gears and wham we're in The tour de France with those crazy cyclists. You have to be nuts to go at that speed with nothing but a helmet to protect you.
But thank goodness some are that crazy just to entertain us.
Have a great weekend!!!!
Carole

Elaine said...

The French Alps are breathtaking. I would love to see them in person and stay at a lake house!

Thanks for the update. Is it too late for an upset by Lance?

Anne Marie said...

those are AMAZING photographs....

my favorite? the canoe with all the pillows....that just never gets old.

cheers!

simon said...

Geez! After the week I have had, and after my eldest daughter told me to get on a plane to rest whilst going overseas.....all I can say about this post is
WOW WOW WOW......