Tuesday 17th May - Ever Upwards!!

We met up again in the morning for breakfast in Martigny before the four of us set off for another long day to Orsieres, and the start of the real climbing ever upwards!!

The sign on the outskirts of the town was a reminder of where we'd hoped to be - Grand St Bernard... Closed!! To cars, not to us Pilgrims though!! (hopefully) 
Again we were travelling under blue skies but in shaded forests, which kept us cool as we climbed up and up, very soon crossing over the tongue of a glacier, littered with wood debris, but frozen ice underneath!! 

So, we had a difficult few hours keeping on the trail, although I enjoyed it!! 

We had lunch at Bovernier:

next to the church and fountain - lots of cool mountain water, lovely! 
We continued up through the woods in the afternoon, seeing the local goat herder in action:

eventually breaking out into the high pastures above Sembrancher, with great views in front of us:

 













And then down to Orsieres where the local priest was very helpful, letting us into the parish hostel, with mattresses to sleep on, a kitchen-- and great shower!! 
A donation of only 15 sfr was asked for - 'if you can afford it'!! Welcoming, practical, helpful!! 

A look around the village:

with a prayer for Pilgrims going 'over the mountains'!! 

Very timely!!