Imagine the lake has eyes. Let’s take a stroll through what and who ‘Lady Lake’ sees come and go over the course of a summer’s day.
At first light there is the dedicated jogger, getting their early morning endorphins flowing as they deftly canter along the gravel pathway. Shortly afterwards are the fishermen, with their official fisherman camouflage uniform, so the fish don’t see them coming and swim away! They whisk their lines back and forth until their float bobs serenely on the surface in just the right spot, creating mystifying concentric circles.
Next come the dog walkers, in ones, twos and threes, stopping regularly to let their dogs sniff a friendly hello to each other. Along come the yogis, with their floaty trousers and rolled up mats, ready to stretch their limbs and free their minds in the morning breeze.
The new mums drop in to Hotel du Lac for a much needed coffee, croissant and a catch up, comparing who has had the least sleep. Hotel guests venture out onto the terrace after a leisurely breakfast, gauging the temperature of the morning’s sun.
By mid morning those looking to stay for the day begin to arrive and set up their proverbial camps. They spread out everything from inflatable flamingoes to frisbees, kayaks to kindles, bats, balls, beach umbrellas…
The day unfolds languidly, with many happy simply topping up their vitamin D levels. Others look to kill two birds with one stone, adding adventure and adrenaline to their activities. Some may come and go, hiking up to waterfalls, road cycling up to Col de la Joux Verte, downhill mountain biking in Les Gets, floating overhead on a paragliding ride, trying their luck at mini golf. Many return after their exploits, strip off and sink gratefully into the cool waters.
People bring picnics: cous cous is a surprisingly firm favourite with the French; a crusty baguette and great slabs of cheese popular with tourists and locals alike. People barbecue, some with more success than others. Others opt for the eateries around the lake, eating in or taking away.
As the sun starts its descent and all the cool box beers have been drunk people start to drift onto the terraces. The after work crew join them, delightedly gulping their first cool drink in the sunshine, happy to be outside and amongst nature after a day in the office.
Then come the cocktail lovers, Instagramming their margaritas, sipping on mojitos and comparing them to the real deal they had in Cuba. Along come the dinner guests, dressed in stark contrast to the bikini clad, inflatable toting lake goers who drift away just as they arrive.
Finally there are replicas of all the early morning visitors in reverse. Those who prefer a dusk stretch/dog walk/fish to a dawn one. The light slowly fades and Lady Lake sighs a happy sigh before settling down to a calm, ripple free sleep, content with playing host to another magical day.