Leaving Arolla, and Mt Collon (click on any image to access a slideshow)
Tuesday 5 September - Arolla to La Sage
I watched Mt Collon (3637 m) from my bed as the sky turned from black to grey to blue behind the mountain. Our balcony door was refreshingly open all night.
Today was to be a short section to La Sage, so warranted a slow start. 9:30. Duly achieved. We followed the lower path to Lac Bleu - 11:00 to 11:45. If with a more experienced group I'd take the higher 'dangerous mountain path' that looked well used. Our path went down nearly to the road and back up again (complaints). I think the guide book tries to describe the higher route. Anyway, we joined the OTHs at Lac Bleu. Here our alcoholic friend (Waggy, bless his soul) was seen in very short shorts with no linings, so every time he bent over his 'bits' showed - not very nice! Some of them had already dipped, and Gaynor, by way of a final fling, ripped off her clothes and jumped in, closely followed by Sue. Much wet underwear.
Meanwhile, I brewed up for everyone, and eventually we pottered off down easy paths for lunch at picnic tables near a bridge in Les Hauderes.
It was very hot here, and Gaynor left us to catch a bus home. 13:15 to 14:30.
A short but energetic afternoon's walk took us steeply and sweatily up 200+ metres in temperatures approaching 30°C, accompanied by grasshoppers, grass cutters and a few autumn crocuses, to the delightfully situated Hotel de la Sage - 15:45. As usual, some of us lazed lengthily outside in the sun with beers. Colin, Hilde and I shared a room and Colin and I enjoyed a game or two of pool in the lovely drawing room with extensive views. "Salon fumeir", with library, telescope and pool table.
It was a lovely warm evening, and after dinner I strolled around the village in my waterproof socks, the only socks brought on this trip - two pairs, quite unnecessary.
Dinner of spinach and feta cheese quiche, sirloin and mushroom sauce and veg and plantain, then delicious chocolate mousse. All very good.
There's not much skiing paraphernalia hereabouts, but snowshoeing (racquette) trails are heavily broadcast.
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