not quite as expected

Day 6.
Today was over our highest col, the Col de Grand Ferret at 2537m and the border into Italy.
After a fairly wet night it dawned dry and with lifting cloud as we set off out of the village and upwards on a more scenic alternative to the refuge before the col where drinks were taken (non-alcoholic, may I say).
Mr Rat had said it would be good if we had some snow for this day and as a cold front was passing by it wasn't totally ridiculous. We had not long left the refuge and were trudging up the open hillside when the snow began and lasted over into Italy! It was very busy with large parties going the opposite way and there was a considerable amount of mud and wet snow and a strengthening wind as we approached the top.
The photo-shoot at the top was fairly brief and the long descent began with the snow soon stopping and views ahead revealed. Flowers were struggling through the snow (see extra) and lower down were in great abundance.
Another refuge at the bottom on the pass and then on down the valley and the final stretch to the campsite by bus.
Great situation for the campsite, just below the Grandes Jorasses which went pink in the sunset (see extra)