8/30 Fouillouse to Larche

Unfortunately the weatherman was correct and we awoke to a lite rain and cool breezy air. The walk was posted for 5 hours and so we were at the late end of breakfast. We noticed our speed walking acquaintance was there, who apparently started late the day prior and so he was caught by the weather. A jovial guy we left together with the rain falling and by the time we'd reached the end of the village it had stopped. But grey foggy clouds blew in and added a chill. I had light thermal base layer covered by pants and lite shirt and raincoat. I had my wind fleece as backup. Our speedy friend
took off and we trudged upwards into the wet basin. Then a couple people in shorts with umbrellas came down pfollowed 3 people in full rain gear. The latter said the first had found the col cold and rainy and so were heading back to take a taxi. They invited us to join them which we declined.
So on we went. We reached an old military bunker with tangles of barbed wire. Eventually we made our final cold ascent to the col Vallonet as the clouds lowered and the temperature dropped. From there we descented into a windswept basin - clouds swirled and drops pelted down but no full on rain. By moving we stayed warm. As the trail traversed to reach an old military road, we encountered a huge flock of sheep sharing the trail.so we stopped and advanced slowly as they streamed away. We reached the road and saw the shephard with dogs heading up in the fog to tend the sheep. But we started a slow steady pace and after what seemed like a long time arrived at the ruins of a military garrison eerily looming in the fog. We stopped in an intact building out of the weather for lunch. Then continued on up above the ruin to reach the col Mallemort @ close to 8400 ft. The road continues higher to reach a fortress 600 ft high. We didn't go but headed down to Larche which is visible from the col. It's a long grassy descent of 3000 ft passing another bunker 2/3s the way down. Except for the WW1 memorial, the town was completely destroyed the rebuilt. Very close to Italy. The only grocery is in the campground where I went for supplies after checking in to our hotel. The sky then opened up and it bucketed. We were very lucky to have missed this rainfall on our walk!!!