Smoke and mirrors

Yesterday was mostly about water. As we set out, we crossed a ‘bridge over troubled waters’. The torrent was rushing downhill, taking anything that got in it’s way. We walked steadily up hill for an hour or so, the distant roar a constant reminder of it’s presence. Eventually the ground levelled out and we saw a calm plateau that was feeding that raging river. Just look at the colour of the water. That’s caused by rocks being crushed by ice – glaciers – and water.

As we walked on, we came to a stunning oasis under an ever darkening sky. Mirror, mirror on the water … well you can probably see what we failed to notice. That’s not smoke reflecting in the water, it’s rain clouds.

Once we got over the Col we were treated to the view of the valley far below.

You may also notice what we failed to; that the sunshine is only at the far end of the valley. That’s right. Rain coming. And it did. Lots of it. Fortunately we put on our waterproof gear as the first few drops fell. Just as well as the heavens opened. Several miles later we reached that part of the valley where the sun was shining and it was time to take the rain clothes off again. We strolled into Les Chapieux as if nothing had happened.