(6 hours – 18kms)

Well, Hotel Spendide was just that, comfy beds, lovely meals and stupendous balcony views; we could have stayed for ever…but the trail waits for no man, or woman!

The weather was fine and quite warm as we stroll around the lake, trout safely resting from vigilant fisher persons

Through the forest lanes till encountering the obligatory hill to our beautiful lunch spot looking down on the Rhône Valley.

We haven’t got tired of the luncheon views, that’s for sure.

Another corner, another outrageous vista!

Fuel for winter

Morning tea!

45 minutes digesting baguettes and views, then downhill to our finish point today at Col De La Forclaz, which would normally be our pit stop for the night at the roadside refuge, but our number is too large, so we are being bussed down to the large town of Martigny, which nestles in the heart of the Swiss Rhône Valley.

Martigny if famous for its local wines, the vines of which cling precariously to the side of the steep hills, winding roads breaking up the terraced rows of grape laden vines.

Vintage has just started and the effort to pick must be backbreaking.

Our hotel is right next to the old town where we had a great meal at a Swiss restaurant run by a local who spent time living in the Blue Mountains back home.

Some of us had a quiet night cap at a bar down the road before turning in, tomorrow involves some serious hills!