At the moment we can only dream of seeing places like the scene above. The weather pattern has returned to recent form - low pressure systems from the Atlantic continue to spin fronts across western Europe at regular intervals, when what we actually want - and usually get - is a large high over the Mediterranean. Last week's score of five decent flights from seven days is quite high under the circumstances and the two trips we made to the Ecrins have turned out to be a bonus.

Fortunately, being in the mountains has its advantages and one of them is soarability in the most unlikely circumstances. That's why we all turn up to the met. briefing, like lemmings, even when it is raining. With our walking boots in the back of the car, just in case...