In reply to goatee:
Reading that brought back wonderful memories of doing the section from Thonon to Chamonix, with my daughter. It is indeed the most beautiful trail and is my ideal kind of holiday. We also did a week on the GR10 in the Pyrenees, almost as good - we were stopped in our tracks by the pandemic lockdown just before another trip on the Alta Via in the Dolomites and sadly despite retiring this year and having the time to continue, I am not able to walk too far due to lower back arthritis. I still hope for a miraculous recovery, but meanwhile will enjoy reading your account of the GR5 and basking in the alpine sunshine!