Yesterday I crossed the centre of thr glacial valley that I have been following, to the northern side, ending up in the Puvlic Car Park in St. Michel de Montjoie. I thought from the map that it was a picnic spot. Well it was both, and to prove it, a large wedding party congregated to swop cars at 8.20. Just as I was about to put my tent up behind a bush.

Slept really well on the flat grass (luxury!), so much so that my snoring woke up a husky housed outside in a neighbouring garden. It barked and in my daze I shouted at poor Happy to be quiet!

It is strenuous stuff round here. I had climbed 100m to leave the valley floor, and now on the way south, I crossed a series of steep walled valleys, 100m deep. All the paths were tree lined and in the shade that was great for me and the dogs, even if the sweat was pouring off me. They even have a special name for these steep sided, tree lined paths. I was told it but instantly forgot it.

After a 200m ascent, we have holed up for the afternoon’s heat at the Chapel de St. Montfort. A tiny 20ft square room, with two windows, a door, and a bright red circular window above the altar, that looks like a setting sun. The dogs have got relgion, as the floor is a really cool concrete and they haven’t moved.

We will be heading off south soon in the direction of Le Neufbourg. This has a camping site and a gite d’étape (8 or 9 euro, I am told). Where we get depends on the heat.