Home from home ..

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I am quite tempted to enter this in the "Home sweet home" photo challenge. What do you think? This is how I came to take the picture : a true story. I am walking the Tour du Mont Blanc, a circular walk around the mountain. It's early season and most of the refuges are not open yet - so I'm camping. After two particularly wet nights, I make the interminable climb to the Col de la Seigne (2516 m) and cross the border from France into Italy. There are spectacular views to the north-east across the many ridges and pinnacles on the south side of Mont Blanc. In dramatic weather - a rainbow is bridging the valley from one side to the other - I arrive at Refugio Elisabetta Soldini - expecting it to be closed like the others. Ibex are sparring with much clattering of horns on the cliffs nearby and I am able to approach quietly and take some good close-up action photos. I also photograph the valley landscape, framed by the magnificent rainbow and the threatening glacier between towering peaks on the slopes above. Then I find - the winter room - open year round for weary travellers like myself. There are 25 beds to choose from and only one will be slept in because I'm completely alone. What a feeling! Perfect. OK - I suppose you want to see those other photos now?

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