Snow shapes

For the last 4 days it's been snowing on and off. We've had about 80 cm's fall in the village. So today, in between snow showers and snow clearing, I took my camera out into Mottec to photograph some of the wonderful snow forms.

Le Mazot - work in progress...

 

It's been 2 months since our first post about Le Mazot and things have changed - and not just the weather.    

We've filled in the old hole for the chimney and installed a new one. Which involved pouring a concrete pad that slopped and didn't drop onto the floor below, cutting new shingle tiles and making sure the new copper work was straight. A first and no one fell off despite the snow..

 

Inside we've installed a new floor, drains and made a new wall...

plus this week we've finished insulating the ceiling and have put up the new panelling...

We're still awaiting our planning permissions, but all being well we should get that in the next week and be able to start on the windows and walls

The deer hunter - (la Chasse)

Last night's hunter's moon rising behind the trees

For the last two weeks the hills have been alive with the sound of gunfire while shortly afterwards trailers drive by with hooves and antlers sticking out at all angles. Not a good time to be a vegetarian, or furry. Here in Mottec our local hunter Rudolf and his friends have had one of their best years, with the biggest red deer stag yet - a 12 pointer - several chamois, roe deer and marmots.

Now on all the local restaurant menus

Even if it's not your thing, this is a highly important annual event that helps keep down the wildlife population. Without any preditors (wolves are thin on the ground around here) these animals would get too numerous and would end up starving to death once the snow arrives, a bullet through the heart seems the better way to go - the hunters are all good shots. 

Le Mazot - a new project...

Just over the road is Le Mazot - to some it's not more than a garden shed but this late 18th, early 19th century wooden chalet is full of charm and potential.

We're now starting the 4th week of our new renovation project and from the photos you can see that we have managed to tear the place apart - yes, you sometimes have to go backwards in order to go forwards....

Le Mazot interior - on the left is before - on the right is now...

There's a lot to do before December, but the aim is to give us a cosy place to live during the winter allowing Chalet Edelweiss guests full use of the 10 bed chalet. From next summer Le Mazot will be available to rent as a self-catered chalet for 2-4 people. Rumour has it that Edward Whymper may have stayed here when he came to the valley in 1864...

Mottec fete 2012

The chapel dates from 1774

In 2008 we got involved in the first fete to raise money for a new roof for the St Laurent - the hamlet's second chapel. Four years on and the whole chapel has been completely renovated. Not just the leaking tin roof, but the damp walls and rotting plaster have all been repaired.

The fete took place in the centre of Mottec in front of the hamlet's other chapel

This weekend the second fete was held to help pay for it all. The two day event started with an official chapel opening complete with benediction, and went on to include lots of wine, music (everything from folk to karaoke), raffle draws and food. Hundred of people came  -  the total raised is still to be announced, but in 2008 the fete made chf 12, 400...

The missing link...

• 3 pylons
• the 3rd longest cable way in Switzerland 
• 2 cable cars carrying up to 125 people each
• 7 minutes and 20 seconds 

will finally bridge the 3.5 km gap between Grimentz village and Zinal mountain from December 2013.

It's been a long time in planning but work finally began this summer on the new chf 30 million ski lift. Pads for the pylons are being dug and poured and buildings have been demolished to make way for the new station in Grimentz (it even has it's own web-cam so you can check progress). So even this winter one will start to get a feel of how things will be.

The new linked area will have over 120km's of piste and will mean that some of our favourite off piste routes will be repeatable more quickly. We also hope that most people will start their day in Grimentz where bigger carparks are being made for day-trippers, thus reducing the numbers coming up to Zinal. What changes it will actually bring are still 16 months away and only time will tell ...

Lakes and Mountians

The Val d'Anniviers is dotted with lakes - from the enormous man-made Lac de Moiry, to small pools that evaporate as the summer goes on, either way they make for great lunch spots on a walk.

This week we walked to a new lake - Le Louche - at 2567m it's the upper level of the Vallon de Rechy, a hanging valley high above the Rhone. Le Louche lake feeds La Reche river that cascades down then meanders across marshy plateaus in a series of distinct steps until it reaches Rechy in the main valley at 524m. This wild valley is worth exploring in summer (as well as on skis in winter), on our walk we saw eagles, chamois and marmots and in autumn it's a favourite haunt for deer.

Here are a few of the other lakes in the Val d'Anniviers that are great to walk to...