The rest of 2025: Summer and Winter in France
For us, 2025 has felt like one unending Summer! We began the year in the Canaries, sailed across to the Caribbean, and only returned to Europe in June, when the northern hemisphere Summer was already well underway. We started our time in Europe with a bang: a cycle trip from Belgium, down through Northern and Central France to our chalet in Ste Foy. This section of the blog is for the second half of 2025. We hope to continue the Summer theme for a few more months, with walks and cycle trips around our home in the Alps, and we will stay out here as the winter approaches, hopefully getting in a little skiing at the end of the year before we return to the Caribbean, and get back on our boat, in 2026.
Our daily blogs: click on the photos to read more...
3rd December 2025
Catching up with old friends
The ski season gets properly underway, and we are on the slopes for the opening days at both Tignes and Val d’Isère. Before that, an old Antarctic friend of Jono comes to stay, and we also manage to fit in a few days back in the UK for the retirement party of an old colleague.
1st November 2025
The snow arrives!
Skiing on the 28th October – the earliest in the season that we have ever skied, and our first ski in nearly two years!
22nd October 2025
Back in France, and back to fine weather
…and back to long walks in the mountains. Walks this time have had a “glacial” quality, visiting the glacier of La Savinne and walking from the Ville des Glaciers. Time too for an overnight trip staying in a refuge, and all caught on video!
14th October 2025
Another holiday.. in Ireland
Our extended holiday continues with a trip to Ireland – visiting family and friends both out West, and in Dublin. The weather held some surprises, but the food, drink, music, and friends more than made up for it.
30th September 2025
A holiday in England
Taking a break from France, we return to England for an extended tour of the Southwest, visiting old friends and neighbours, and enjoying the best of Cornwall
2nd September 2025
An overnight trip to Beaufort
As the weather cools we are picking the best days for more walks and a cycle trip over the Cormet de Roselend to stay in the beautiful village of Beaufort
21st August 2025
New routes, new cols and new food!
We have tried some new walks, visiting new and more remote cols and high altitude lakes. Myrtille bushes abound and Cate made a delicious myrtle tart with the rewards of our foraging
10th August 2025
Peak holiday season, keeping away from the crowds
Inspired by the Tour de France, we have taken on some more ambitious cycling trips, not to mention long walks and new destinations!
24th July 2025
Cate's back, and my Dad comes to visit
With the good weather holding we have been walking and cycling. We have also cheered on the Etape cyclists, the French champion white-water kayakers, and been visited by a hummingbird hawk moth.
14th July 2025
Cate takes a break in London
With a packed programme of parties, canoeing, socialising and reunions, it is not a quiet break!
8th July 2025
Home alone!
Our Summer in France begins! After a brief detour back to London for a friend’s birthday, we are back in Ste Foy for cycling and walking… except that Cate has to return to the UK for a bit, leaving Jono to fend for himself.