GR10 Day30

Today was another day that we walked the GR10 Variant, as the GR10 headed into the mountains for two days with a night spent in a tent.  The Variant was described as “traversing the steep southern slopes of Serre de la Plagne on paths of packed mud, which will be very slippery in the wet”.  Yesterday we walked for a few hundred metres on a very muddy path through woods and therefore decided that it would be easier today just to walk along the road.    We left the gite, following a narrow path cut through long wet grass.  It wasn’t very far before we were onto a farm track, and then reached the road.  We made good progress along the road, with only a slight climb.  We walked through a couple of villages, reaching a junction where we turned onto a minor road.  Surprisingly, all the traffic (not much) also seemed to be using that road, which would eventually lead into the next valley.  We had been in the shade of the hill until then, but now turned to walk more eastwards, so it was time for sunhats and dark glasses.  We reached another village and at this point turned onto an even narrower road.  We stopped for a rest (and to waste time) at a small castle overlooking the main valley then continued up the side valley.  The next village we came to had a bar, so it was time for an Orangina and some water.  Twenty minutes later we were at the gite, which is a converted school building.  We have our own bedroom with ensuite and another great view from the window.  Tomorrow, we head back into the mountains on the GR10, hopefully refreshed from our two easy days.