Camping, for real!
After so many abortive camping attempts, I was starting to get worried that I had become the-dad-that-promises-a-lot-but-never-delivers. So today was the day (again). I had shifted plans towards a bit longer drive, but shorter walk and decided to go to Charmant Som, in the Chartreuse. After picking Zoe up and a short drive, we arrived at the dead end road at Charmant Som, and found the place pretty mobbed. I guess it is a popular warm day activity since it is so much cooler at 1600 meters! After a little difficulty finding a parking spot, Zoe and I set off onto one of the hills below the Charmant Som itself and found a fantastic and flat place to pitch the tent. It had sweeping views of the Belledonne, Vercors and of course the Chamchaude. We set up the tent
inflated mattresses, and then brewed water for our dessicated food dinner: Riz au Cantonnais and Risotto au Boeuf -- not bad! Banana-pear crumble for dessert, which was less good. Zoe admitted that cooking dinner was the thing that most excited her about camping.
Then we watched the sun set, and watched nervously as the herd of cattle that we had seen earlier began to walk towards us
A couple of hikers had set their tent up 100 meters from us, and the cows eventually surrounded their tent, despite their trying to shoo them away. Darkness fell, and Zoe and I watched them collapse their tent and find another cow-free pitch by headlamp.
Sleeping was a bit difficult. I'm starting to get a little old to sleep well in a tent, even after buying the most expensive and lightest thermarest that Vieux Campeur offers (One of their NeoAirs), so I spent a restless night tossing and turning. Zoe also kept on sliding to the bottom of the tent, so I would have to periodically pull her up again. Happily, the cows did not disturb us.
The next morning
We packed up, drove home, had a quick breakfast and then I dropped Zoe off at camp. A successful first camping trip. Zoe asked if we could sleep there the next night too. On the way down, Zoe made me drive through le Sappey to see if there were any boulangeries open (there were not).
inflated mattresses, and then brewed water for our dessicated food dinner: Riz au Cantonnais and Risotto au Boeuf -- not bad! Banana-pear crumble for dessert, which was less good. Zoe admitted that cooking dinner was the thing that most excited her about camping.
Then we watched the sun set, and watched nervously as the herd of cattle that we had seen earlier began to walk towards us
A couple of hikers had set their tent up 100 meters from us, and the cows eventually surrounded their tent, despite their trying to shoo them away. Darkness fell, and Zoe and I watched them collapse their tent and find another cow-free pitch by headlamp.
Sleeping was a bit difficult. I'm starting to get a little old to sleep well in a tent, even after buying the most expensive and lightest thermarest that Vieux Campeur offers (One of their NeoAirs), so I spent a restless night tossing and turning. Zoe also kept on sliding to the bottom of the tent, so I would have to periodically pull her up again. Happily, the cows did not disturb us.
The next morning
We packed up, drove home, had a quick breakfast and then I dropped Zoe off at camp. A successful first camping trip. Zoe asked if we could sleep there the next night too. On the way down, Zoe made me drive through le Sappey to see if there were any boulangeries open (there were not).
