Days 76 - 79 - What a difference a day makes
Friday 28th September - Monday 1st OctoberI'm sitting here writing this wearing a hat, down jacket, 2 pairs of socks, slippers and I have a blanket over my legs. It's a cool 12 degrees c in Gandalf's not so warm embrace and today it snowed!It's hard to explain the change in the weather without pictures but, thanks to the wonders of modern technology I have moved on from daguerreotype and the camera obscura and gone are the days of waiting for my films to be developed at the chemist (younger readers will need this explaining. Older readers will be lost in blissful memory). All this means that the fruits of my trigger happy camera finger can bring you the delights of the Southern French Alps almost as they happen (it would be quicker but I type with one finger). The following is a catch up of 4 days via the medium of photos.
Now, admittedly the above photo is actually from Thursday 27th (Fear - Mr P gets philosophical) but is included here because Mrs P took a lot of great photos that day day that I didn't include. The above is the only one I look brave in.
Also, as the end of September fast approaches, the campsites are closing and the few that are open are often pretty much deserted.
We are heading for the Ecrins region where we hope to meet up with some old friends. On the way we pass over the Col du Gallibier, 2,642m,
The Col du Gallibier is famous for 2 things;The first famous thing is cycling and particularly the Tour de France - Now, I have included a link for those that are interested in the cycling thing but, I disagree with the authors first sentence. He states, 'Alpe d’Huez is pretty unremarkable...' The man has clearly never walked more than 5 metres from the road.
The second thing the col is famous for and, to my mind, the one that will be forever etched in my memory, is the look of intense concentration on Mrs P's face as she negotiated the miles of narrow switchbacks.
As ever, she drove beautifully. Gandalf and I were in the safest of hands.There are distinct signs of a move to autumn high up as the heather dies back and the Marmots go shopping for their winter coats.
It's ok though. Down in the valleys it is still warm and yesterday we were climbing in T-shirts.
That was yesterday though. And, what a difference a day makes! The Ecrins is noted for having 300 days a year of sunshine. No one mentioned the nights. Rain and thunder last night and today, Monday 1st October, not only does a North wind dominate but it is also one of the 65 no sunshine days.Despite the chill breeze Mrs P is keen for a leg stretch and finds us a 2.5 hr walk at around 1,800 m. Great idea Mrs P. I'll get my shorts and sun hat ready.
This is proper autumn stuff.
It's not just the trees that demonstrate it is autumn but there are raspberries ready for picking too...
And then, it started to snow.
I know, it can snow any time of year in the mountains, but we were in shorts yesterday! I think we have been spoiled by the weather and that this is just a reality check.By the weekend we will be heading south to warmer climes. Like migratory birds only less environmentally friendly.