DAY 44 - COL D'ORNON TO LE BOURG D'OISANS

We had a much easier day today: a short walk, mostly downhill, to Le Bourg d'Oisans. The weather was overcast with occasional drizzle patches - a marked improvement over the constant rain of yesterday.

Picking up the walking path sign

We walked the first few kilometres along the road. There were very few cars, but hundreds of Dutch cyclists practising for their climbs up the Alpe d'Huez on the Alpe d'Huzes, an annual charity ride which takes place this Thursday.

Leaving the road, and the Dutch cyclists, behind

We soon picked up the off-road paths and left the road behind.

Walking in the Alps

The path followed the course of a stream,  with views of mountains high above.

The path followed the course of a stream

There were a few watercourses to cross, but nothing we couldn't manage.

Another raging torrent to cross 

The dry weather enabled me to keep the camera handy, and I was able to take photos of some of the Alpine orchids along the path.

An orchid 

Another orchid 

After the small village of Ornon the path continued following the stream downstream. We passed a hydroelectric station and several cascades.

A bridge across a raging torrent 

Eventually the path widened out, revealing many puddles left from yesterday's rain. We had fun with them.

Fun with puddles (1) - reflections in the Alps

Fun with puddles (2) - map of Australia

Fun with puddles (3) - when our delightful older daughter was younger she liked jumping in puddles. Now she is beginning to see their artistic possibilities. She took this photo after being entrusted with the official blog camera.

Our path left the stream for the last couple of kilometres into Le Bourg d'Oisans, an attractive small town which we entered at the end of a pleasant and short day's walk.

The path widened out as we approached Le Bourg d'Oisans 

Day:  44
Distance: 15.23 km
Walking time:  3hrs 20mins
Elevation gain:  126 metres
Cumulative distance:  1115.44 km