Monday, May 12, 2014

MONT-CENIS IN MAY


My first outing of the season up to the Mont-Cenis!


The mountain pass, which is located at 2,000 m height on the Italian-French border, is a minor Alpine pass and it's closed in the winter... which at this altitude means until mid-May! The landscape is breathtaking, and the change from winter to Alpine spring is still on its way... The Mont-Cenis is a mountain pass and lake connecting Italy and France, and it is one of the Alpine passes which are closed in the winter. The street has just been opened (usually it gets opened around mid-May, which involves "cutting" the snow which still blocks the shady parts of the road, and cleaning the road from stones and rocks which have rolled down during the long winter months), and spring is just slowly starting to show at this high altitude. The light is amazing, and wild crocus is in bloom, forming lovely white and purple patches. Soon lots of Alpine flowers in the most beautiful colors will cover these Alpine meadows, and Alpine cows will be grazing the high-altitude pastures. It is fascinating to see spring just starting up here, while in the valleys and plains it is almost summer.


I compared the pictures with last year's at the same time of May, and there was more snow last year...



A welcome stop for a hot herbal tea at an Alpine café with a breathtaking view...



The weather can change quickly and dramatically in the mountains... A sudden snow storm!



5 comments:

Pinelia said...

I love these pictures!Especially now that summer begins here in Greece!

DIMI said...

Hello Annuk mou!Wow!!Gorgeous pictures!!What can i say!!I would love a cup of tea with that amazing view of the mountains!!Wish you a happy week!!Filakia to you,Zoe and Lilli!
Dimi...

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Anna,
Such lovely mountains to view from the Alpine café.
It looks nippy though...
Hugs and happy week to you.
Mariette

Annuk said...

Thank you Pinelia! :)
Filakia!

Thank you, Dimi mou! :)
I'm glad you enjoyed the views! Polla filakia!!!

Thank you, dear Mariette! :)
Hugs to you!

Dawn of LaTouchables said...

As always, it's a pure pleasure to travel through your eyes, Anna.

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