Monday 8 August 2016

French anticipation



It seems almost autumnal. The gales are blowing. The day is dark with leaden clouds, which leak from time to time. It’s difficult to believe it’s early August, the height of summer. I’m just hoping when we go on our holidays to France the weather picks up.

We’d already decided to take some thick woollies. Experience has taught us where there’s snow & ice about, it’s cold. We’re hoping one of the ski lifts, gondolas, trains, trams, up the Alpine mountains will be wheelchair accessible so we can get to see the views & some of the glaciers, even if we don’t go walking or climbing once we’re up there.

I’m in the midst of reading about the area we’re visiting & can’t help being struck by the fact there seems to be something to see along every road/track. Our bigger problem is deciding what is likely to be wheelchair accessible. Guidebooks so rarely mention that detail, so vital to any wheelchair user. Even these days it is by no means certain. If a path is described as up a steep incline or a flight of steps I can instantly dismiss it as impossible. Otherwise we have to wait & see when we get there. Our usual first port of call is tourist info to hope to clarify the situation. Even they usually end up phoning round to check up.


No comments: