Wednesday 21 August 2013
Technical issues of posting a blog!!
Friday 16 August 2013
The final days - Langres and Au Bord de L'Aisne
Wednesday 14 August (Derek Fowler's birthday!!) we travelled to Au Bord de L'Aisne again using the autoroutes for quick travel. Helped a older couple who had managed to hit the guides at a paeage.
This was a lovely site set along the river Aisne. Shopping was required, wine and goodies for home. Gill, Nicki and Dave all swam, I went for a nice bike ride through the French countryside (trying to avoid massive French trucks hurtling along the narrow roads (will I ever learn??). A final evening meal of pasta and salad plus many glasses of wine (Nicki!!).
Thursday 15 August - the 150 mile drive to Calais took us just under 3 hours. Then the long wait getting through passport control and onto the ferry. Dave had fish and chips, the rest of us an English Breakfast yum yum!!! We had had a wonderful holiday, done so much and seen so much. Spent time with two lovely friends and had a truly brilliant time. Thanks to Dave and Nicki and Tom Tom for all the navigating great company and interesting chat. What will we do next year????
Thursday 15 August 2013
Road back to France
Left Lake Como early morning for the long drive back to France. Travelled through the tunnels on the east shore of Lake Como with Gill and Nicky experiencing a deja vous feeling!!!! Expensive run on the Italian motorway and the the Mont Blanc tunnel to Chamonix. Also left the sun behind in Italy and arrived to cool cloudy weather in France but it soon picked up and was lovely and sunny by the time we arrived at our lovely campsite at Neydens 10km south of Geneva. A swim was greatly appreciated although the evening temperatures meant a few more clothes were in order.
A cool start and an early morning walk to catch a bus into Geneva. We caught the bus from Vitam Park which is a mecca for fitness fanatics. It has the best climbing wall any of us have ever seen. A good easy bus ride the the of Geneva. Once there we found preparations well underway for the end of their month long festival. The biggest firework display was being set up along the lakes shore. Because of all this activity it was difficult to get an impression of what Geneva would be like normally!! We saw the old town bought expensive latte machiatats but had a very enjoyable look at the city. Dave went cookoo clock hunting but was desvastated not to find one. Nicky, the adrenalin junkie went on a sky ride looked brill but not for the rest of us. Used our bus rover ticket to take four boat rides across the lake, lovely views of the city. Then bus ride home, another excellent day so far.
Fireworks over Geneva
After a brilliant day in the city, we were able to watch an amazing firework display from the hill where the campsite was. Though several miles away the effect was stunning. Despite his injuries Tim slept but rested up while we went onto the famous Teleferique cable car high above the city. Saw lots of parachutists leap off the top. Dave had cycled up in the morning without his bike partner. Had the oblgatory latte at a cafe next to a Budhist temple-it was Sunday so we popped in for a quick prayer.
Another ride
Late afternoon out on bikes, ,loosen the legs and check the route for our Sunday morning run up Saleve. Three of us made it up the hill and then enjoyed great views of Geneva. I was coaching nicki while tim took off downhill when after 500 meters we came across two distressed French ladies. Stopping and looking in the adjacent ditch there was someone trying to climb out, it was Tim. Lying in a narrow ditch with an inch of water flowing over him we were pleased nothing was broken, dragged him out then starting to check him over. Took some photos of his wounds when back at camp but missed the best as he lay in the stream.
Wednesday 14 August 2013
Long road to Langres
Last night in Geneva and Nicki managed a Karaoke spot-it was a talent show for kids, but they wrte happy to let big kids on too. Next day the big ride back up north took us to Langres-a lovely lakeside campsite outside Langres. Nicki Gill hunted down supermarket but didn't take off to Milan this time! Next day canoeing for Nicki and Dave. Gill Tim biked into Langres. Nicki Dave went into the old town later. More entertainment, but professionals this time. Nicki and Gill just ahead at Whist! Last night to come not far north of Reims.
Thursday 8 August 2013
It's raining men.....!!
Bellagio
Rain over night then cloudy start, in the car to Menaggio for the ferry across to Bellagio, Pearl of lake Como which was a lovely, picturesque town. Ambled around, and enjoyed more coffee and brioche. A walk round the gardens of Melze, all in the cooler shade of the clouds. Bit of retail therapy for Nicki and Gill. Still very warm if thundery.
Tuesday 6 August 2013
To Dongo and back
h. Life's good!!!!
Quick shopping
Yesterday afternoon was to be pretty uneventful-quick bikeride for the lads and a quick 4km car ride to 'Iperal'. Unfortunately, roadworks confused the girls and they ended up on the motoway tunnels halfway to Milan! 20 miles later they found the shop-bit like the Trafford Centre. What about that for a pint of milk, bottle of wine and some fruit?! Boys also struggled on the parralel coast road as Italian drivers no respecters of bikers. Nicki and Gill expended their nervous energy in the usual way on their return.
Monday 5 August 2013
Kayak
Up and on the lake for 8:30 , lots of coots and swans. Very enjoyable, got as far as dascio fot latta and brioche, then back. Nicki and tim went in the lake but myself and gill waited a while before dipping in the warmer pool.
31 degrees this afternoon so not lots of action from any of us.
Como
Breathtaking descent from St Moritz to Como. We wanted to stay for the lavish Summer Party but time was pressing!(No invites!) Lovely setting again at the top of the lake. Brilliant swimming pool and right nect to lake. Canoes out tomorrow to see the wilflife.
Saturday 3 August 2013
Biking Gill and Nicki style. Mountains on foot.
The river valley runs from top to bottom with well marked cycle way. Nicki and Dave went one way, Gill and Tim the other. Brilliant track and coffee stops in lovely towns dotted across tbe valley. Magnificent scenery. Dave and nicki spotted some massive lakes just before crosskng into Austria and recommended drive into alps for a walk next day. It was a tough climb but enjoyed freezing mountain stream paddle, saw an eagle and a marmot. Had a lovely lunch out and last swim. Still very hot, but storm brewing. Lake Como tomorrow! What a life!
Food Glorious Food!
Thursday 1 August 2013
Stevio the easy way!
Got up early to try and beat the crowds andwent by car up the Stelvio Pass. It was awesome-can't believe Dave and Tim biked it. The vista is mindblowing with walkers, bikers, ,skiers and paragliders in the same majestic location! It was baking hot at 6000 feet! Gill sat on the inside of the road as David skilfully negotiated the hairpins. After all that excitement it was a snooze and then back to the cooling pool.