Italia

The trek through the Italian part of the Tour du Mont Blanc, under the magnificent South wall of the massif, is in part a tale of two ladies, Elena & Elisabetha - the names of the refuges that welcome you into and out of the country as you cross from Switzerland and France respectively.

Every time I've been over the Grand Col Ferret (well since I've been a blipper) I've blipped the stunning view that greets you, the wall of the Grand Jorrasses. But I'm always also super pleased when we reach the Elena - the views remain awesome, the coffee is fabulous, but most importantly, despite there being a long way left to go, the first of the really big days is conquered and I can start to relax and the clients can keep on grinning and looking forward to a well earned lie-in on tomorrow's day off.