From Como we headed to Les Houches, very close to Chamonix, for a week of summer alpine painting. The valley is stunningly beautiful, replete with mountain peaks, quaint chalets and glacial torrents.

We found a torrent that became a favourite spot throughout the week, and though the startlingly beautiful naked bathers provided a bit of a distraction, we did manage to get some work done.

We also spent a day painting at the Great St Bernard pass at the border of Switzerland and Italy, one of the most dramatic and scenic places we discovered on our trip and definitely worth returning to for longer periods.