Today it was time to get out and explore some more. From the tourist brochures I'd been eyeing up a small village called Venosc which is known for its habitants of artists. It is along a scenic drive through the mountains of the Parc National des Ecrins, a short drive from Bourg d'Oisan. The weather forecast was favourable so off we went. A short time into our short journey we noticed how all the clouds were moving around the peaks and up and down the valley, adding another dimension to the scenic views of the towering mountains on either side of the road. We reached Venosc just before 9.30am and it was still asleep so we went for a wander around it's steep cobbled stone streets. It was very pretty with traditional alpine homes clinging to the hill side, with amazing views across the valley. We were also treated to the sight of the tiniest hummingbird flittering between flower boxes getting its breakfast. At first it was so small that we thought it was an insect, until Neil noticed its shape and wings. Very special. We went back to the car to let the town wake up and continued our adventure up through the valley. The road just out of town quickly took on a different look to what was on the map. The map indicated it was reasonably straight with not much climbing and appeared to go along the valley floor.
Not so as we started climbing and twisting up the hill. The road straightened out for a bit when I noticed through our panoramic glass roof a thin road cut high into the cliffs. I said to Neil, "look at that road," then realised it was ours. It was absolutely stunning but I was very grateful I was not driving. We passed through another town clinging to the cliff face then saw a sign "road thinning". I couldn't believe it could get any thinner especially seeing it was supposed to be two way! Well it did get thinner and in places had no barriers either. It was terrifying as I was sitting on the drop side and when I observed the road was also crumbling on the drop side I prayed for no cars coming in the other direction. When I got over the fear of where we were and looked at the scenery it was amazing. There were towering rock cliff faces with waterfalls everywhere, glaciers, snow covered peaks, and a river cutting through the valley floor far far below us. The multiple rock avalanches added to the grandness of it all as well. We were heading for La Berarde which is at the end of the road and we couldn't actually work out why there was even a village up there.
The small village was on the other side of La Meije mountain Heather and went up on the gondola and we really felt like we were in the heart of the mountains. We now just had to get out alive without driving over the edge. I'd hate to think what the road is like in winter. The car nausea and terror was worth it as the scenery really was stunning. We were also treated to a deer crossing the road and getting very confused when we came along, and a black squirrel dodging cars (successfully). A lovely morning driving to the middle of nowhere and home in time to have our usual baguette and brie lunch. In the afternoon Heather did some school work while Neil disappearing up Alpe d'Huez again, then off out for dinner at a restaurant in town.
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