Yesterday was Ashley’s birthday. And if you don’t know Ashley, she’s of American extraction.

So what better possible way to celebrate her birthday than eating loads of barbecued food (thanks to Chef Ratty), and then setting fire to things in the woods?

Fitting. Inspired perhaps.

But as always with fire, the boys got carried away and after Tim and Antoine had searched out every fallen branch and tree within a 200 meter radius and chucked it on, we began to realise two things – they needed professional help to treat their pyromania, and also that fires that burn at the temperature of the sun incinerate your marshmallows.

And on top of that, Gareth also discovered if you get the fore hot enough you can melt beer bottles – you see, we are nothing if not scientific…

But anyway, if you like photos of fire then this is the blog post you’ve been waiting for.

Ok, we’re not. But this wee beastie was sitting in the middle of the road when Toby, Laika and I were nipping down to the pub. It was touch and go but we managed to make it past…

So the La Chaux Express is running – minus the chairs sadly – and I decided it was fine time I went up  to sit around drinking coffee in the sunshine. At Dahu to be precise.

And as usual it was completely stunning up there, and after a chat with Danielle (the lovely lift who normally works on the magic carpet at Les Essertes) it seems that they’re putting the chairs back on the lift next weekend-ish. I only mention that because going up on chair lifts without skis is most disconcerting and therefore more fun. In my book at least.

Anyway, the guys at Dahu also said there’s the inauguration of the restaurant next Saturday from midday. I have absolutely no idea what it will involve, but I have a sneaking suspicion there will be drinks. So I’ll be there on the dot.

 

Ok it’s on the Verbier Medran roof but as per the rumors the Bruson telecabine has been ordered. Although the rumors also say it’s not going to be built by the winter.

Still, cool eh?

 

UPDATE: Building work confirmed

Televerbier have announced building work on the new lift starts October 2012… Click here for the video

Summer is well and truly here, so we chose the day with the least impressive hazy cloud cover to take some photos and show you what you can do in and around Verbier in the summer.

Contrary to popular belief there is life outside the resort itself and if you drive half an hour up to the top of the valley you can see the rather impressive Mauvoisin Dam. A geek would be able to tell you about the clever the green energy it releases is, but as I’m not a geek and Toby couldn’t come, I can only tell you it’s very big, very impressive and I nearly wet myself when I looked over the edge.

Well, after a cheeky beer with Toby and Kent they both headed down to Le Chable. Se we thought a quick trip up to Savoleyres was in order to look at the view before the sun went down. And you know what? There’s actually rather a lot of snow up there..