Wimbledon in the Alps

Our walk round the Champex Lake provided a nice easy start to the day, but it wasn't the usual style of Tour de Mont Blanc walking as it was far too flat. We expected it all to change very quickly and that we'd be toiling uphill as soon as the lake was behind us. However, we were in for a surprise; there were some ups, but they were a lot shorter than those of previous days, and there were longer periods of relative flat, not quite flat as our home territory of Norfolk, but not too taxing. 

We walked through some woods for a bit, but there was no danger of us getting lost, as there were plenty of trees bearing the distinctive Tour de Mont Blanc way mark; the yellow diamond with a black border.   

 

As we walked, we kept being buzzed by a helicopter which was very busy transporting tree trunks from the slopes above us down to the bottom of the valley. We learnt that it was helping clear ground to make a new piste for the next skiing season. 

The woods were full of interest, and we much preferred the sculptures here to those around the lake. Our favourite was this majestic eagle, and what a view Yorkie and I got from our perch on his head.  

 

We didn't need to cheat and hitch a lift though, as our path was heading downhill at this point. It took us down to a road as it passed through a small village, complete with coffee stop. It felt very different having our refreshment break in relative civilisation, with cars whizzing past, as we'd got quite used to finding buvettes in the middle of nowhere, so remote that supplies had to be brought in by helicopter.

For the rest of the day our path continued to undulate through the wonderful Alpine scenery we'd come to expect. Everyone had enough energy to chat, and Simon, our guide, told us lots of climbing tales from all over the world. We learnt of some horrible accidents, including climbers losing their heads (literally) in rock falls, and we vowed never to compromise on safety, and to heed all safety warnings, when in the mountains, and we hope all our readers will do the same.

Our campsite that evening was in a stunning location, with 2 glaciers as a backdrop.

  

It was just a shame that shortly after this photo was taken the rain returned and continued throughout the evening. While trying to keep the rain out of our tent, the zip broke, this time beyond easy repair, so we had to do a very fast tent swap, and took possession of the tent named 'Dru'.

The good news was that we had a completely enclosed large wooden building to eat and shelter in. It had a wood burning stove and a television, so we all enjoyed catching up on the Wimbledon action and we even got to see Andy Murray play.

Back soon,

Lots of love, George, Yorkie and Gio xxx