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Following her return from the sunshine of
Provence, Lady Fortescue survived the severe winter of 1940 in her Sussex
cottage only to fall ill with pneumonia the following spring, spending the
ensuing heat wave confined to her bed. During the long days of her convalescence
she re-lived her happy adventures in France. Recalling the holidays taken with
her dearest friend 'Mademoiselle' in the great mountains of Southern
France, her mind drifts to their Bergerie perched upon a plateau of the Hautes
Alps. Described with her typical charm and joie de vivre, she shares the
delights of the Meije, tinted by the sinking sun, the roar of mountain torrents
and the fragrance of Alpine flowers through the cool, crystal air.
First published in 1943, 'MOUNTAIN MADNESS'
describes the summers just before the outbreak of WWII. June heralded the
arrival of the first fire-flies and the intense heat of the 'Midi' which
caused English and American citizens to wilt. Initially camping on a high
mountain plateau by a lake, (which the locals and those with powerful binoculars
found entertaining), they ventured into the mountains, with a variety of
servants, relatives and helpers, or sometimes just alone for up to 2 months to
escape.
Click on the map or use the
link
at the bottom of the page to see area map
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The Meije, similar to the photo on
the cover of 'Mountain Madness' and that on p.37. The first wooden chalet they stayed in
is just visible as a light patch in the trees! Photographed from La
Grave |
