Photos by Richard

Photos by Richard.		Just the way to spend Christmas at the close of a good year. Ma, Christine, Roger & Sue 'resting' at a picnic spot just above Chinaillon village on one of their moments of relaxation from hotel life. We parked on the track up to Col de la Colombiare with Col des Annes in the background at the head of vallee du Maroly. Almost by magic the snow fell as we arrived at Hotel Camelia, in Aviernoz. Good job the snow chains were packed - very useful!
Couldn't resist this scene of the top end of Chinailon village with La Floria peak (1800 metres) in the background. The ski lifts can be seen 'wending' their way up the mountain to access the gentle, and not so gentle, skiing pistes. Ski Map A great benefit of coming to Chinailon is that it makes its own snow when the need arises - we didn't need the man made stuff though, just factor 15 sun block! The photo was taken from inside hotel Camelia's 'van rouge'.
		Back to Hotel Camelia for traditional afternoon tea and biscuits. Ma couldn't resist the invitation to pose when I was taking a picture of the apartments. Christine and I were lucky enough to have number one. That's the one at this end of the block on the ground floor. OK, so what about the view from our window?
From inside our very comfortable apartment the view is brilliant and looks up to the gigantic Parmelan and pine covered mountain side leading to the Gliere Plateau. It seems a long time, twelve years, since Ma, Pa, Christine, Roger, Sue and I first came to this spot, and the tree, dedicated to Pa brings back many happy memories.
		While taking a peak at the view from inside the apartment, here is a quick shot of part of the sitting room. Christmas lights rippling their 'light' hearted message of welcome and the presents waiting on the chair to be opened on Christmas morning
Christmas morning! Surprise, surprise, Christine showing off her new ear rings to me (hubby) and ma. There are more presents to follow but we are camera 'shy'. The new binoculars for use on 'Inadee' have been fully tested already on surveying the mountain scenery - I'm a well pleased skipper.
		I must be one of the luckiest son-in-laws! Ma is just a great Mother-in-Law and full of everything that gives support and pleasure. Maybe she will wear the scarve when doing a number at the Jazz club.
Christmas Eve at Hotel Camelia. It wouldn't be right to celebrate Xmas without singing a carol or two - would it? Armed with song sheets hot off the Internet and the hotels revellers well fed we all joined in vocal 'harmony' to wish all 'Joyueax Noel' to anyone who might be listening. Here is to an equally resounding Christmas Eve in 2002.

		Thinking of bleak mid winter reminds me that it can get cold up at Manigod. The view from the veranda of La Croix Fry restaurant shows all the action on the gentle slopes of Manigod. Ski Map
		Phew! What a view! No wonder it was chilly but well worth it - don't you think? Same veranda as above but looking to the North. In the picture is Christine, Colin (Let out from behind the bar for a side view), Joy and Peter.
Such a happy lot! And not a drop of alcohol to be seen! Manigod is just the place for those seeking picturesque ski runs and gentle lower slopes. You can almost fall off your skis into the restaurant, which does have an interior 'warm' area, where good food is served even when the crowds are milling around in great numbers like hungry wolves.
		Who is an Happy Bunny then? Even after an overnight drive to Cherbourg from Aviernoz Christine can rise to a smile. Here we are dining on the 'Pride of Bilbao' heading to Portsmouth and home for the New Year. We've booked to see 'Harry Potter' on the journey across the English Channel so I may get a couple of hours of shuteye. Pride of Bilbao - info
Well that's that then, 2001 Christmas holidays over for us! What more could anyone need, or want? New friends aplenty, family, snow when needed, good food and a really good time. We don't often see this view of 'The Solent', we see it from 'Inadee' which is much closer to the water than up here on the ships upper deck. Horse Sand Fort in the foreground seems much smaller than it does looking up at it from the deck of a yacht. You can make out the Isle of Wight ferry between the Fort and the mainland, and in the distance can be seen Gilkicker Point, from where the Round the World Yacht Races start. On the horizon, under the three clouds on the left, is Cowes. Hopefully, we can get a sail in to Cowes before too long, I'm suffering sailing withdrawal symptoms!
		This picture, one of my all time favourites, is here because I promised one of the Hotel Camelia guests that I would show the home of my number one Mother-in-Law. Idyllic, eh! May all have a healthy, happy and prosperous coming year. Richard and Christine.

Christmas Eve at Hotel Camelia.