A good start.....

We packed up as planned on Saturday morning. Arriving for lunchtime in Chorges.

{Chorges for lunch}

After driving around for a bit we settled on a night in the campsite at St. Michael's Bay. There are fantastic views across the lake from the Bay.

{Looking across to Pic de Morgon}

We planned an early start as the weather forecast was promising a hot day on Sunday. My walk would take me from le Fein (where I stopped last year) to the visitor centre for the lake. John would meet me there after he had had a short cycle around.

{An afternoon in the sun}

In the morning I was dropped off and set off on my route. It was sunny but I found plenty of shade in the forest.

{On the way up to the Col Lebraut}

Finally I reached a good viewpoint.

{What a view!}

I was making good time. The main track had obviously been used mainly by bikers and was loose and dusty in places so I was relieved when I chose to turn off onto a smaller path to descend into a gorge. Then, in some closer trees and bushes I lost the track....

Then I lost my footing....

then I rolled and bounced hard on my right arm....

down and down a little steep bit and came to rest under an old tree....

there was some crying....

I tried to move....and then realised what had happened. Now in a cold sweat I reached my phone and called 112.....

It was agony to move but I managed to brace myself against a smaller tree. I was still carrying the map so in very poor French I directed the helicopter so they could find me....not easy when you're terrified of dropping the phone or falling further down hill.

After what seemed an eternity I was found....

tied to a stretcher...and airlifted to the hospital in Gap.

My right arm is broken just below the shoulder joint....

and all my plans have changed!