Tele-cabining up the Mountain

Feeling much improved today, I went for a little walk in Parc Fenestre to admire its many attractions.  As usual mini-golf, kiddie-train, and climbing-jungle were out of commission, it being the off season, but the Tele-cabins were working.

The Tele-cabins are a sort of ski-lift, I imagine – I have never actually been in a ski-lift.  Picture a strong metal rope suspended between two large towers, one tower being on top of the mountain and one at the bottom.  Suspended from the rope are six small cabins, which go up and down the mountain in regular intervals.

The towers can be seen from anywhere in la Bourboule, and are quite ancient – even my old prints from the town from around WWI show them.  Usually when I am here the Tele-cabins don’t seem to be in operation, again it is that seasonal aspect to the la Bourboulian attractions that continue to confound me.  Occasionally I would go to Parc Fenestre and walk past the Tele-cabin harbour? port? and sigh in disappointment that they din’t seem to be working any more.

But today I noticed the six little cabins actually going up the mountain, and was suddenly filled with a great desire to ride in them myself.  I anxiously checked my money supplies, wondering whether I was rich enough to pay for such an extravagance – Euro 26,98 was all I had.  A trip to the bank was perhaps indicated.  But first I would check prices and departure times.

I was pleasantly surprised!  For the paltry sum of Euro 3,85 I could go up the mountain and return as well!  I rushed to the ticket office to enquire when the next cabins were due to leave.  Five minutes!  I was clearly in luck.  Actually, later I found out that these cabins leave every five or ten minutes, between 930 and 12 in the morning and 13:45 and 17:15 in the afternoon, every day except Mondays.  And they stop going altogether as of end September.

Clutching my ticket I impatiently waited at the end of the queue.  Since I was the last passenger, I got a cabin all to myself, so had no unwelcome witnesses for my uncontrolled excitement as we went up the steep mountain.  Once again I blessed my lucky stars for being in possession of a camera and snapped away in ecstasy as we ascended.  Leaving behind la Bourboule, Glider Mountain, which is opposite Tele-cabin Mountain, loomed ever larger into view, and I could see numerous little glints from the cars that were parked in the little parking lot at its feet.

The only fly in the ointment of my bliss was the atmosphere, which was a little murky and had a bleaching effect on my photos.  The journey only lasted about five minutes, and too soon for my rupture to wear off we had arrived at Tele-cabin Port 2, on the plateau of Charlannes.

It is a popular sight seeing spot, and there is a café as well as a hotel (whether still in use I am uncertain).  I had been there before, but usually I walk.  Tele-cabin Mountain is covered in woods, with lots of nice little clearings thrown in, perfect for hiking.  Today I wore my fancy shoes, and a dress and a lilac hat – the latter much remarked upon by all and sundry! – so was clearly not in a good position to go hiking.  But now that I know how the tele-cabin set up works I shall become a frequent utiliser!  Tomorrow of course is Monday, so nothing dong, but after that I shall ascend the mountain daily and explore the vastness of Charlannes!  I do hope I spelled that right ….