It's not like we planned it this way, but one cannot visit France while Le Tour is on and not got and see a stage. Unlike 2012 this was a short trip though, so just the one stage this year.

However, the chosen stage was the final foray into the mountains for the race and we managed to position ourselves on the final HC climb. Usually one would take a bike and ride up the final climb before finding a spot to watch. Due to injury this wasn't an option, but we found a great spot on the first decent kick of the climb a couple kilometres from the left turn to Hautacam. And sat. And waited.

In previous years I've enjoyed taking 'serious' pictures at races but again, due to only the single stage this year, decided to stick to 'fun' pictures that tried to capture the atmosphere. Hopefully that comes over.

As the race came by I stuck a fisheye lens on the camera and held it in my uphill hand with one finger on the shutter. Yes, this produced a lot of rubbish, but it also got a few good shots and importantly it meant I could watch all the action up close without being stuck behind a viewfinder.

The most interesting thing about the whole day was that you'd think this would feel like hours of waiting - but not at all. So much happening, people to chat to and things to see. Even with the 2-4km walk up and back it's highly recommended... but next time we'll be on a bike for sure!

It's been so long since we got out of the 'city' (such as Sydney is) an Easter break was on the cards.

Pratiwi was missing the rolling green hills of Europe and Kangaroo Valley in Autumn is probably one of the closest places to Sydney to find that. Who was I to complain, as it's also one of the closer places with some half decent road climbs would be nice to test the legs and see if they still work on 500m+ climbs. Luckily all good in that department!

And also lucky: perfect weather all weekend and beautiful views from the cottage accommodation.

Smiles all round

It's someone's birthday mid-January, so after the Christmas festivities our plan was to meander back up to the UK and be in London for that date.

But... what route to take? We really wanted to head back over to the Pyrenees and see what winter there was like so I guess that made the choice easy. A big 'L' shape across the bottom of France and then up the West coast-ish.

Even though we'd been lucky with snow in the Alps, seems like winter was late to Europe this year as the outdoors was still very enjoyable. We had some great, sunny, encounters with bird life, seeing large flocks of Flamingo in the Camargue then almost stumbling across a flock of vultures near Lescun - wonderful!

We also learned you can't go past a spot of hiking through the snow to a frozen waterfall, or, further North, lunch in an old village famed for it's wine. Lots of variety in this leg and as usual, it's all good!

Well... I'm not sure if this is all entirely the Luberon, but that's what we're calling this segment of the trip, so...

After what was probably the last of the summer down on the coast, the time had come to return inland and see if we could cope with the winter conditions and add to our experience of Provence by exploring this more Southern Part. The timing was also chosen to kill a few weeks before (hopefully) returning to the Alps for a spot of skiing.

The question seemed to be answered that early in the season, in this part of France, it's chilly, but not unbearably so. Nice!

A word of warning though: you'd think Something-les-Bains would be a top choice for a winter's break. Thermal spa to enjoy and all that? Hmmmm... not so. We were very disappointed that all these spas seemed to be for medical purposes only. No tourists allowed to come and poach themselves in the steaming waters. Doh!

We had wanted to visit the Gorge du Verdon in summer but this just didn't happen, so was very glad to drive thought there a few times in this stint. It has to be said that this really is the highlight of the region. Amazing even in the dim light of a winter's day - surely a walk in the gorge will be a 'must do' experience on a balmy summer's day? Or a bicycle ride along the rim of course!

When in Rome... erm... I mean, when in Italy... it would be rude not to visit Rome, so here we are.

A very pleasant few days of galleries and piazzas and lots of walking in between. That is despite the rather overcast and wet weather there was to contend with.

Annoyingly we lost a few shots from the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Doh! Oh well... next time?

Way back when we started planning our European adventure, this five week block in Florence was one of the first parts to get booked up. Looking back now, it's rather amusing that we didn't really know much about the area, but Pratiwi knew she wanted to spend some time in Tuscany and Florence seemed as good a base as any.

What with Autumn coming, I also thought it would be a good idea to be in/near a city with lots of cultural attractions to visit on those days we couldn't spend outside.

We probably got a bit lucky, as Residenza del Palmerino we chose had a beautiful little garden to enjoy, and also a larger 'field' out the back to relax in where we took a picnic or two - right on the doorstep. That said - the first days were a little trying as we got used to the vicious local mosquitoes. It seems that Tuscan mozzies are very hard to avoid so some planning was required to keep them at bay!

Another lucky break was that this accommodation turned out to be right at the bottom of a hill with many great cycling routes above. Roads up and down there felt like a maze sometimes, combine these with many other local options and I have to say that cycling from Florence turned out great!

Then as the Autumn weather began to tighten it's grip there were plenty of beautiful sights both in the city and nearby to enjoy. The forest near Vallombrosa was a highlight this time of year which was simply amazing!

Many thanks to our hosts and other residents for making this such a pleasant stay. Wonderful memories.

Working our way South through The Alps we eventually arrived in Italy. Coming from Switzerland via the Umbrail pass - goodbye Switzerland - sob!

This would be the last 'warm' mountains stop for this trip (hopefully we'll be back for some skiing) and started in Bormio, on one side of the famed Stelvio Pass - I think everyone should be able to guess why we're here!

In addition to a couple of visits to the Stelvio (in the car and on the bike) it was very nice to visit other areas in the mountains and explore on foot as the temperature dropped - what with it being easier to wear many layers while hiking than while pounding the pedals.

Last hurrah on the bike done (did I mention the Stelvio enough?) and first snow of the season touched, back to some warmth by the Italian lakes: Como & Garda and somewhere in between for a chance to spectate at the final cycling classic of the season (see Il Lombardia 2012).

Stunning scenary in this area of course and very, very enjoyable. Things were beginning to get a little chilly by the time came to move on, but all in all, September does seem an excellent time to be here.

Well - it's a different country so get's a separate page, but this was just a very, very brief look around the capital (Vaduz) out of curiosity more than anything else.

We were passing by and due to not being listed on the international vehicle insurance decided to park just over the border and stroll across into Vaduz. Hardly a chore in the sunshine that we found perpetually shines on Liechtenstein

The place is claimed to have the highest GDP per capita in the world (when adjusted by purchasing power parity) and lowest unemployment rate in the world aside from Monaco. All this should add up to a very nice, clean interesting place to visit. However, it struck me more like how walking into the home of a very rich, but very distant relative or friend would be: everything was spotless, but, like the games room, office, home cinema, wine cellar, etc. at the home you've visited would be, most of Vaduz seemed to be locked up and not for public eyes. This seemed a shame, because I'm sure there are some gems here to see if only one knew where to look.

Oh well - at least they had left some more durable objets d'art in what appeared to be the main street for us commoners to be... erm... slightly confused by

Back in Germany for a couple of weeks. Where to go? Where to go?

Well, actually, the Black Forest was a request from Pratiwi. Hmmmmm... suspicious of the cake they make there being an influencing factor But to be fair, the whole countryside, rolling hills and stuff also proved a treat. Lake Constance was my idea, chosen completely at random - you can't go far wrong with a lake though.

Very nice all round, but getting a bit chilly at altitude (the Black Forest even has some ski lifts!).

The keen observer might also notice a guest appearance for a couple of days here. Thanks for coming!