High on the Hill

Four years ago, not quite to the day, Hilary took me to Le Grand Chamossaire, high above Villars where on 13th June we found millions of crocuses and the very first Pulsatilla alpina having just opened it's flowers.  ( Extra that day shows some of the crocuses.)   Today no crocuses but thousands of pulsatillas, too many to count.  A few more in extra pics today along with a very fine Anemone narcissiflora which also featured the other day but pictured from behind.

It was a magnificent day to be out on the hill.  Wall to wall blue skies throughout with enough breeze high up to keep temperatures comfortable.  I spent a couple of hours up around the summit, enjoying the multitude of flowers including three different orchids, gentians, globeflowers, violas and more, which quickly replace the carpet of crocuses I saw last visit, while noting that there's a lot more species waiting in the wings to follow on from today's glories.

The path down to La Petit Chamossaire is a little vertiginous, in places with a big drop close by both sides.  I took it very slowly and was passed at one stage by a youngster taking it at a gallop!   Lunch in the shade on the way down before a lakeside meet up with Hilary, Josiane and Lindsay.   A shorter day, no bad thing in the strong sun after some long ones.  An early start planned for tomorrows adventure.