The Good Shepherd

Thank you all for the lovely comments, stars and favs on the last few days - very pleased I'm keeping you all entertained.

I was tempted to make a joke about my clients....but I'm far too nice for that. Ahem.

So I've been assessed in navigation, ropework, group management, coaching, geology, environmental knowledge, water safety, avalanche safety and much much much more - but today it was skills learnt as a little boy back on the farm that saved the day. A knowledge of cow breeds and behaviour helped me move these somewhat beligerent cows along a 400m section of steep path - much to my clients deep amusement, I turned to tell them it was all OK - not a one of them in sight.

On a less pleasant note I was a little shocked to see a chap in camouflage gear stalking ibex - I know that some can get a license to hunt as part of a controlled cull - but this chaps line of sight was clearly across a section of path - disconcerting to say the least.

All the clients managed what's probably the longest day on the tour - Chapieux to Les Contamines - fabulous tarte au noix and coffee helped, as did digging deep.