TMB - Day 6 La Fouly (67km)

Despite the rain falling for most of the day, thankfully it has now stopped, spent a really enjoyable evening chatting with a Scot and 3 Belgians. A good chance to exchange stories of the trip so far and share European similarities such as being crap at football and losing the Eurovision song contest - a bit of politics as well just to lighten the mood.
Sadly the others are all heading north as I continue my journey south. It will also be the first time I get to face the bitter alpine winds and should be faced with minus temperatures. All my thermals will be on and I shall not be hanging about, it has already dropped to 3 degrees this evening so at least that has given some preparation after the scorching days I've had upto now. The big thing is the Grand Col, once I'm over that things will be a touch easier and it is meant to warm up towards the weekend.
My focus is now solely on this mountain and having already waited a day I'll be relieved to get it done and look forward to some slightly less daunting walking in my final few days.
Going to try and sleep now so I'm ready for the morning.

TMB - Day 6: La Fouly (67km)

Well, today has been a complete non-starter. It has rained constantly since last night and I have moved from tent to the communal building, that's it!
The reports for tomorrow seem fairly positive so I should be back on the trail, I wouldn't normally mind the weather but in such exposed areas in do feel a touch vunerable. In addition to everything else my vertigo does cause me real issues near steeper slopes and anything that makes me even slightly uncertain about my footing is not desired.
I've still got a couple of days to get to Courmayeur so there's no reason to rush or do anything stupid, I'll just see what the weather looks like in the morning and take it from there.
I am enjoying reading 'The Hunger Games' though.

TMB - Day 5: La Fouly (67km)

Right, I can't go online but it would appear that email works.
So you now seen my delightful lunch here are a couple of other photos from this morning, didn't  take much this afternoon - a combination of battery preservation and motivated walking. They'll be plenty of pictures from the other cameras, you'll just have to wait for those :)

TMB - Day 5: La Fouly (67km)

It's been a busy afternoon and I've managed to get significantly further on. The path, as was suggested, was fairly even - although in this part of the world that is considerably different to Britain.
From the pitutesque scenery of Chanpex this afternoon was actually quite low-key, wooded hillsides and valley meadows (still very pretty).
The excellent news for anyone who has to come into contact with me is that I am at a proper campsite and have had my first shower and change of clothes in 5 days - considering the amount of sweat I've produced it wasn't as bad as it could have been.
On a less enjoyable note the weather has taken a severe turn for the worse, it is raining heavily and there is thunder overhead. The forecast for tomorrow is as bad and likely to be snow above 2000m - I'm supposed to be climbing Grand Col Ferret (2537m). Might be a day in the tent and catch up time later in the week, they just be wrong like  UK weather forecasters.
I'm on the weakest wi-fi in the world but I'm going to try and send a photo, if that works more may follow.

TMB - Day 5 : Champex (51km)

Quick 4km this morning to Champex, arrived just in time for lunch - had an amazing cold meat selection with bread and cheese. Champex is the modt beautiful place and on yet another sunny day even more attractive. I would send pictures but my data usage for today is stuffed and it'll cost me a fortune - I'll send more tomorrow.
Heading to La Fouly now, apparently it's fairly flat (not sure I believe that!).
A bientot.

TMB - Day 4: nr. Plan de L'Au (47km)

I've taken my boots off and my god do my feet stink! The change of socks this morning does not appear to have helped.
Unlike the last few days I hope you can detect a less negative opening to my evening update.
It has been challenging but without my self-imposed pressure I have taken my time, stopped whenever possible, had my fantastic lunch in Trient and after all that I've covered my distance than I planned and more than either of the previous days.
It's been a day of ups and downs, uphill for a few km then downhill for a few km, most being fairly steep which has really punished the soles of my feet - I've decided to count the bits that don't hurt, it's much easier.
Sorry, there won't any amazing pictures of my tent perched high on a mountain, stuck in the middle of a wood could be anywhere!
Au revoir.

TMB - Day 4 : Triente (35km)

A much more enjoyable day so far, I've reset my target and now intend to finish in Courmayeur. The pressure to keep going at all costs is now off and with a daily average of about 15km I can actually enjoy this quite amazing place.
Had a bit of a lie-in this morning and have done about 6km, I've now stopped in Trient for a spot of lunch. My french was just about enough to be understood but not to the point that I knew exactly what I'd ordered - I had a rough idea. Turns out it was the mother of all cheese on toast.
Think I'll need all energy I can get I've got a really steep climb ahead of me followed by a longer less steep climb.
Here are more pictures, please note in particular the 3 stage cheese on toast from Cafe Moret - pure cholesterol goodness!