We have probably had two days of sunshine this December and yesterday was the other one of them. Knowing that the weather will turn bad on Christmas — it has been raining since morning today, the Christmas Eve — we took off the last working day of the year, and escaped snowshoeing in ‘Espace Nordique du Barioz’ on Belledonne, just 30 minutes’ drive away. Barioz is a small cross-country skiing station run by an association that employs four people, who take care of ski passes and ski rental, but the refuge, offering catering and overnight stays higher up on the mountain where the majority of ski tracks are, is run by volunteers. Snowshoeing passes cost us 2€ each but they included a mug of mulled wine, which we enjoyed after our trek (5.80K in 3h, D+/D- 390m).
Once we were out of the forest at the altitude of 1700 meters we had splendid views West to the Grésivaudan valley and the Chartreuse range, but also North to Chambéry and the Bauges mountains.
The year 2021 did not change our lives any more or less than 2020 did. We continued to enjoy the same outdoor activities we had enjoyed before: running, hiking, and bicycle touring. We took up the habit of doing regular yoga and strengthening classes with Yogaia website.
We continued cooking at home, and only ate out on our bicycle tour in Bourgogne (on those nights we stayed at a hotel). We did not miss parties or other gatherings, but as usual preferred spending time together, just two of us, or with a small bunch of friends for hiking or wine tasting. Because we both worked from home, we had more time together and more freedom in planning our daily or weekly schedules, for instance take a hike in the middle of the week when the weather was good, and then spend the gloomy weekend working.
There was one big change in 2021, though. We left apartment living in Grenoble and bought an old village house in a small town 17 kilometers North-East of Grenoble. Neither of us identifies as a person living in a small French village, but rather occupying a Loft apartment in an urban setting, preferably next to a waterway. However, this house is a decent compromise (for now). Newly renovated in modern style, with large windows and high ceiling in the third floor living room, this feels quite like a loft. No waterway, but magnificent views over the mountains.
Take care, and may 2022 fulfill all your aspirations!
