McD had been able to establish contact with his erstwhile Nav/Radar, Chris Mitchell, who lived near Grenoble in his different, post-RAF guise of theatrical director, playwrite and lecturer at the University there. Both were keen to make contact again after about 10 years and Chris was exp-ected to come over and join us with the idea of a mountain walk, and, if the weather allowed, a night in a refuge. Since he wasn't expected before lunch time, there was time for some physical activity beforehand to the normal pattern - M1 on the bike and M2 walk/jog along the river tracks.
Chris arrived about 1.00pm. Small and neat with boundless vitality, once the reminiscences had taken place, he entertained us well with his views and extensive knowledge of a world which we knew nothing about. This pace of dialogue was kept up on a short walk (which was all we could contemplate because of the threatening weather up the mountains) and over a few beers in Villar. Since Chris had planned to spend the night with us, the debate only involved whether he would sleep in the van or in our tent. There was a marked reluctance to pitch the tent in the intermittent rain so the decision was made by default - three of us in the van it would be! But not before we had again chosen good meals from the menu courtesy of the Fons family and pursued many more yarns, anecdotes and reminiscences. Despite the high occupancy levels, it was easy to slip into a sound sleep.
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