In spite of an early wake up, I am not rewarded with a golden morning. I have hoped for it, for a short time, as some parts of the sky were clear before the sunrise. But clouds filled it quickly, turning the weather to overcast for the whole morning. This unfortunately means almost no photos with the sky in the frame, at least for now; and no mountain peaks in the golden light. Fortunately colours are provided by the foliage of trees and bushes, here and there.

An hour later, in the Forêt de Boscodon the atmosphere is perfect, as usual: no people around, a deep silence, the whole autumnal palette of colours around me.

By driving down again to the border of the Lac de Serre-Ponçon I hoped to find some landscape hints with the lake, but colours are still dull (even though the clouds look thinner, maybe things will change in a couple of hours). Yes, there is the Îlot Saint-Michel with its tiny chapel, but I've portrayed it many times in the past. Water reflection suggests a possible variation on the theme, even though I'm not enthusiast at this kind of shot. Some gulls and cormorants offer the chance of a bird shot, even though not exceptional.

At a later time, as expected, the sun at last is breaking the cloud layer, creating some brilliant colours and shadow contrast. In the valley of the Avançon the road quickly flows among fields with pasturing sheep and rows of trees; after a few attempts I've found that the best way to depict them is from a bend of the road that climbs up to the sanctuary of Notre-Dame-du-Laus.

Returning on my steps, northbound, I'm rejoining the Durance river, but just before getting again to the Lac de Serre-Ponçon I'm turning to the right to enter a previously unexplored area. Now it's afternoon and the weather is fine, with a good clear sky veiled with clouds.

So some mountain shot is possible now — this is very good, because the road that goes through the Grand Vallon is surrounded by a number of diverse and majestic rocks (they are part of a geologic park), it would be a pity to miss them. It's a very interesting zone, that I wasn't able to visit in spite of a couple of attempts in the past, because of lack of time. Sure it will deserve a deeper exploration another time.

At the end of the Grand Vallon I am unsure about what road to pick — there are a number of villages that I don't know, but I have to take a quick decision because there's still a long drive up to the destination for today. I choose to go for Sigoyer, because the Michelin map signals a vista point.

Before reaching the village, the landscape is actually getting more and more interesting: wide views, highlands, “mountains with a character” on the background. I can spot a number of known mountains, such as the Montagne de Saint-Genis, the Montagne d'Aujour and the Crête des Selles, that are well visible from the flats just north of Sisteron, where I've been the past years.

Just a few bends before and after Sigoyer the landscape is breath-taking. I'm wondering why I am all alone and there are no crowds of tourists (not that I'm sad with that), because I can have a glance on the highlands east of the Durance valley, interspersed with woods, fields crossed by white roads leading to sparse farms. One could take photos for hours...

The wideness of the landscape really calls for some composite shots. But looking westbound I'm also caught by the smooth slope of the Mount Ventoux, whose meteo tower can be easily spotted with a moderate telephoto lens.

Now there are only a couple of hours of light and still a few mountain passes to drive through. Along the road, that again finds its way among woods and small glades, there are so many interesting subjects, but I really can't stop for anything or I'll risk to be caught by the darkness when I'm still on the top of a mountain.

Passed Sisteron, I'm driving for the Défilé de la Pierre Ecrite and the area surrounding St. Geniez — a magic semi-deserted area that I first saw the past year. A few villages, pasturing sheeps, strangely-shaped rocks and a vague sense of mistery looming around.

And now the last pass, Col de l'Hysope. Looking forward, I can see the vallée des Duyes perfectly light by the setting sun, which is strengthening the golden autumnal colours that here look even more intense.

After a good number of hairpin bends I'm at the bottom of the valley, near the village of Thoard. Now there are the last rays of the setting sun and the last shots of the day are for pasturing sheep with their long shadows cast on the ground.