Thursday 11 July
21km (39km) – 1495 ascent – 545 descent

So I have a strip of burnt-to-a-crisp neck and multiple mosquito bites on my behind, but besides this, today was actually quite swell – the ham sandwiches pretty much made my life. Bit up and a bit down and in the last couple of kilometres we came across a few speedy mountain bikers (Mother perched herself as far off the small path as possible, with her fingers in her ears, whimpering, as the friendly bikers trundled by). Crossing the Franco-Suisse boarder we stayed in the Refuge de Chésery (1972m, there was snow!) and experienced our first eight man bunk bed. Very cool.