Another day with a big decision, should we go the Arpette or the Bovine
route? The coin toss determined Bovine.
At plan de l'Au we almost lost parts of our pack to the inquisitive
goats. Apparently, the straps looked tasty to them. The cows, however,
took no interest in us at all as we climbed up towards the Bovine dairy
farm. After the last, very steep hour we reached the tables and umbrellas
of the alp.
The couple farming here cooked lunches on a 2-burner stove. As we waited
for our 'roesti' (swiss fried potatoes with ham and eggs), our sweaty,
wet shirts completely dried in the breeze. The grass would have done
any golf course proud, thick and soft, it felt like silk to my bare
feet.
After a crossing the ridge, the valley opened up and we could see Martigny
below. Good thing we were very hungry, the Forclaz refuge served a wonderful
grilled chicken dinner; refills of meat, vegetables and potatoes as
desired!