For a while we both stopped and looked at each other, then I got my telephoto lens from my daypack. By the time I had changed lenses the marmot had disappeared. I walked on slowly and 50 metres further on spotted another one further down the hill on the other side of the track. I sat down at the roadside and soon realised that there was a whole colony just below me. Two juveniles were play-fighting while mum tried to keep order. Some were collecting fresh bedding and taking it back to their holes, while others were just sitting in the sun and having an occasional scratch.
Walked on up to Mont de Vorès again, then returned via Ban Rouge. Returning to the marmot colony I climbed down the hill from the track to try and get a closer view. I got some more photos, but they were clearly more nervous than in the morning and were well aware of my presence. Returned to Megève, getting back about 7pm. Had dinner at the 'Chamois' restaurant, which was a bit rough compared with the Prieuré, but the duck and chips was very good. There was a thunderstorm with heavy rain while I was in
the restaurant, but it had eased off by the time I walked back to the apartment.
Sat 26th: The first wet morning, but I have to leave so it doesn't really matter. I packed and cleaned up the apartment, then walked around
town for a while before lunch at the Chamois restaurant. Returned to the apartment where Stéphane picked me up at 1:45 for the drive to Geneva. Flew back with easyJet to East Midlands and drove home, arriving back about 8pm.
