Today was our last full day in Chamonix and we started the day with a change of plans. Geoff was very keen to go up to the top of the cable car to Aiguille du Midi, which is at an altitude of 3842 meters. We had booked to go up but were told that the trip was not suitable for young children especially in the busy periods (like now) because it can be difficult to descend quickly if anyone suffers altitude sickness, and in children it can be difficult to know when they start to get sick because they often don't tell you very clearly. This reminded me that the last time I went up to a similar altitude I suffered from altitude sickness, so I decided to stay down in Chamonix with the boys and Geoff got up early to catch a 7.30 gondola up to the top. He came back after 9.00 with some stunning photos and fresh croissants for breakfast.

We all then set off to catch the Brevant cable car which runs up the other side of the valley from the Aiguille du Midi to an altitude of 2525 meters. From the top of the second gondola we emerged through the clouds to a stunning view of Mt Blanc, the Aiguille du Midi, all the glaciers running into the valley and also the glacial lakes in the Aiguilles Rouges mountains. It was a bit chilly, but we came prepared, so Matthew and Oliver rugged up and climbed up to the observation deck to look at the view. We then descended to the mid station to sit in the sun and warm up with hot chocolate and crepes for lunch.
On our return to Chamonix, we made some preparations for our departure tomorrow and than headed back to the summer Luge track to try to beat our times from yesterday. Matthew and Oliver certainly like to go fast. Hopefully they will enjoy our trip tomorrow on the TGV, the French very fast train.