For two days, we sweltered in temperatures of around 35 degrees in Venice,so after a 3 hour drive, it was more pleasant to arrive to cooler temperatures of 18 degrees at Corvara.
This map shows you the general layout of the area.
Our hotel - Chalet Bracun - we were in the middle section on the third level from this side.
The impressive mountain towering above Corvara is Sassongher, at 2265m.
The view from our balcony,looking towards the Sella Range.
Mixed flower meadow.
Summer flower meadows - Winter ski fields - Huts for the farmers.
Farmer cutting his meadow - quite a slope! Grass then raked up by mainly women!
We came across a number of these religious shrines - in the most unlikely of places.
..and a number of alpine plants packed in small seemingly hostile places.........
Yellow wood violet
Alpine toad flax
Shrubby milkwort
Gentians
Trumpet Gentian
A view of Corvara and Sassongher from the Sella Massif.
The valley on the right goes to Badia and beyond.
Another view of Corvara and Sassongher with a field of Globe flowers in foreground.
Close up of Globe flowers.
This model appeared one day before a weekend of cycling events.
..................quite an impressive model!
This slip - between La Villa and Badia - had occurred over winter, covering 3 settlements - no loss of life as there was a warning - but a slip has happened here twice before, we were told!!
Someone has a sense of humour! The building work behind is the result of a fire in a hotel over New Year - fireworks we were told!
Note the two ingenious wooden water-pipe systems.
A typical wooden house with a chairlift to the Prolongia Plateau in the background.
..the chairlift again, one on the right to Prolongia, the one on the left to the Sela Massif.
Corvara in foreground, Colfosco up the valley.
St Croce church, below the Fanes Massif, above the chairlift from Badia.
The church and the La Crusc Hutte (restaurant) following a fall of snow mid-week.
Wood sculpture.
Rather unique and unusual guttering.
Cows on the high pastures of the Prolongia Plateau.
The paths were all well sign-posted.
A little chapel high up on the Prolongia plateau.
More beautiful meadows.
Just for interest.
A neat wood store.
Wood used for everything! Fresh, clear, cool, spring water.
House for humans at back..................Barn for animals at front.
Bank of Golden Hawkshead ..... "Fox and cubs"
A local resident ................. her milk supplies the local cheese products.
The Ranch de Andre hut... restaurant......... at 1855m. Pra d'Armentara area
Yet another meadow.. with predominantly Marsh Orchids
Close up of Marsh orchid.
Blue Campanula and Bladder Campion in foreground.
Church in Badia.
Interior of church.
Late snow and further snow while we were in the Dolomites, meant that the higher and more challenging mountain routes and via Ferratas were not safe to use. Graham did eventually get the chance, with a group, to take part in a 'middling' one with a local guide. The via ferrata Brigata Tridentina.
Corvara is down the valley by Graham's right shoulder, Colfosco is the nearer village.
X marks the spot where the route ascends a vertical metal ladder attached to the rock face. No time for photos there!!
Y is the suspension bridge Z shows a group of people - for scale
Looking back to the top of the tower and the connecting bridge.
Looking down the valley to Corvara on way down.
This shows most of the route, starting from the right near the Gardena Pass above Colfosco. The route went behind the tower where the dotted area is and X is the bridge.You can see the waterfall at the start of the climb up, at the bottom of the tower. It was a total of 7 hours of climbing and walking.
I also decided to have a strenuous day of walking!!! (and sampling coffee!!) on the Prolongia Plateau with Joan (taking photo) and her husband Martin ( the flower guides).
Following a path through the lower meadows behind the chalet......
..........walking along the path further into the wood to find a patch of rare .............
........................ Lady's Slipper Orchids.
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| Don't these 'slippers' look like they are 'hanging'? |
Another rare orchid - the Bird's nest Orchid. Not quite so easy to find.
.....
The Vanilla orchid......and the .............
....Lesser Butterfly Orchid are even harder to find.
The Pyramidal Bugle
Slender Broomrape
Herb Paris
.................on the return.
As an incentive for people to beautify their houses, a tax allowance for each window box is offered!! We have even seen window boxes on derelict buildings!!
This is the continuation of the path that contours round under Sassongher to the Gardena Pass. Looking across to the Sela Massif, you can see the 'tower' virtually in the centre of the photo.
5.30am We woke to this view on our departure day!
Looking through the front windscreen, leaving Corvara, on our way back to Marco Polo airport at Venice - leaving early enough in case of weather delays......... not expecting...
...........to be held up for 40 mins by this travelling group of long-eared sheep, some donkeys and goats. We did catch the plane!!
..... a good try at an English translation for tourists!!!.............
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