guardienne

“We joked about where we would sleep if the Elisabetta refused us and I practised my best French in the hope I could sweet-talk the guardienne into giving us a bed for the night but I was seriously wondering whether our survival bags were going to have to be used and thinking that the cow-sheds ahead looked inviting.”

Day 3 Croix du Bonhomme – Elisabetta

“The guardienne said we had it to ourselves for the moment, but we might be joined by a third person if the refuge was full.”

Day 10 Trient to Tre-le-Champ

“The gite had hot showers with unlimited hot water, we had a couple of beers, and the guardienne immediately started preparing dinner so it was a good decision.”

Day 9 – Trient via the Fenetre d’Arpette

“They were fabulous company and we had a very good evening with them, eventually heading for the dortoir about 9pm, leaving the guardienne eating fondue with two friends, and demolishing several bottles of wine after which the friends presumably drove back down the hill, dispelling the stereotype that the Swiss are all obsessively law-abiding.”

Day 9 – Trient via the Fenetre d’Arpette

“I asked for two beds in French, the guardienne replied in French and then translated it into English when it was obvious I hadn’t understood.”

Day 10 Trient to Tre-le-Champ