Most people have gone when I decided to surface, apart from Lee that is, and the ever-present Lewis. "Coffee?" says Lewis. "I don't mind if I do," says I. The day is fine enough with rays of sunshine here and there, but the cloud is a little heavy on those mountain tops. After a leisurely breakfast Lee and I stroll to the campsite exit and dive on the bus into town.
Courmayeur's picturesque mountain scenery and healthy mountain air make it an attractive destination all year round. It is one of Europe's most famous ski locations, and contains the Giardino Botanico Alpino Saussurea, which describes itself as Europe's highest botanical garden. In the summer months Courmayeur is a popular destination for hikers. For me the attraction is to sit and watch the world go by. As we walk through the town we go into one of the countless coffee shops that are available, but this one has been recommended by Graham and is superb. We sip our coffee and chat for ages whilst watching the stylish Italian people go by. It seems no expense is spared on their attire here, and by now we are feeling a little underdressed in T-shirt, jeans, and 'thongs'. Only Lee calls flip-flops 'thongs' as that is what flip-flops are called in Aussie; in Europe, thongs are worn in quite a different place, I explain! Anyway, no one seems to care what we are wearing.
Is it time for a beer? I guess so! We find a fantastic bar with quintessentially bohemian furniture of some style, I might add, and we decide to settle down for a couple of beers. Lee latches on to the fact that there is Wi-Fi available, and we are soon typing the longest password I have ever seen into our phones. I mean, I understand they are supplying this service to paying customers, but do they comprehend how difficult it is to type in this long code after several beers? By the way that Sergio behind the bar was laughing, I guess they do! After about four attempts I am logged into Facebook and Twitter, and I just catch up with home — it feels good.
After several beers we decide to have a lavish meal (not that there was anything wrong with your tucker, Lewis!) at a nearby restaurant we spotted on our stroll through town which was full of local people — we fit right in. Bellissimo! The locals have not spotted that we have already had a few beers and that we are ready to order. Having deliberated over our wine choice for what seems like ages we allow the delightful waitress to choose a local red from the Valle d'Aosta, which is home to the highest elevated vineyards in all of Europe. The wine is some of the best I have tasted, but I fear it is wasted on my ever-diminishing palate (too many ales!), but still it washes down a truly magnificent meal.
We stagger back to the bar and settle in for a few more beers to Sergio's amazement, and before we leave we are awarded a barman's shirt — I guess he was impressed with my Italian, but more likely he was impressed by the vast consumption of beer and the duration of our drinking session! We catch the bus back to the campsite as we are going out tonight to a local restaurant with the rest of the gang. I wonder if they will notice that we are well and truly pickled.
I guess they all noticed, but no one seemed to mind. Unfortunately the chairlift was closed over the Vallée Blanche Aerial Tramway, which was a shame. Dinner was good and we awarded Ted our ill-gotten gains (the barman's T-shirt) which he received in good spirit — in fact, he wore it on several more occasions.
I don't remember going to bed.
Courmayeur
Home for the day