France, Italy, Switzerland & Germany - Summer '22
A fantastic trip across France to the Alps & back. After the last couple of seasons of rather restrictive movements was really good to stretch the legs and have some planned, and some more random adventures.
Starting off in the Haut-Savoie for a slightly delayed meeting with the olds & a bit of luxury - being given run of a room in a lovely alpine chalet they had arranged. The plan was to be in this region for another week to hit up some of the legendary cycling routes but sadly weather didn't agree - and that would be a slight theme of at least part of the trip.
So instead of taking on the likes of the Telegraphe, Galibier & Croix de Fer change of plan as we headed down to the Italian lakes in search of sunshine. A consolation week by lates Orta & Maggiore... such a beautiful area, and plenty of sublime roads, so yeah, that'll do!
Back into clouds & the mountains as we next took our chances in Switzerland, getting super lucky with a day of sun and the most amazing hike to Trift Bridge - highly recommended. A little cycling here too, but sadly cut short by, what do you know - a huge storm. Doh!
Looped back into France via the Black Forest as for us, no trip over here is complete without some German beer & schnitzel - yum! Couple more stops, including an evening of merriment with more family and... home!
After the last couple of trying years, can't help but think how amazingly lucky it is to do what used to feel 'normal'. More of the same in the years to come, please!
Sunday 19 June 2022
After a toasty day driving across most of France time to relax: well deserved appero in a shady camp spot. Cheers!
Monday 20 June 2022
Seems 2hr+ dawn ride not enough today so took 100s of steps up to tiny church perched atop volcanic rock. Nice view!
Monday 20 June 2022
Today's parking spot: on the shore of Lac du Lit au Roi. Lucked out here - it's beautiful! 
Tuesday 21 June 2022
Today's dawn ride: river Rhone, sheep, canals, Lac du Bourget, a tiny chapel, col du Chat & Jongieux vinyards. Phew!
Tuesday 21 June 2022
What's this?! Dinner with old folk on the terrace of an Alpine chalet. Cheers everyone - thanks for having us!
Wednesday 22 June 2022
Beautiful one day, rain & fog the next. That's mountain weather for you! Not to worry - I needed a rest day anyway 
Wednesday 22 June 2022
Rain & fog cleared by noon so: so much for a rest day. Mind you, this little forest hike was still pretty relaxing
Wednesday 22 June 2022
Olds insist on taking us out for dinner. Who are we to argue? Beautiful food on an Alpine terrace. Nom, nom, nom! 
Thursday 23 June 2022
Left door ajar overnight & someone took a nap in the jamb. Hello little fella! Moved him on safely after he woke up.
Thursday 23 June 2022
Col de la Colombiere loop. Criterium du Dauphine here a few days ago so road silky smooth. Beautiful climb & descent!
Thursday 23 June 2022
No 'any driver' insurance on rental or surely I'd be behind the wheel? Still - kiddy seats in back aren't all bad
Thursday 23 June 2022
Erm, wasn't I just here? Sightseeing with olds on Col de la Colombiere. Kiddy seat bonus: I get a beer. Cheers! 
Friday 24 June 2022
Out of luck with weather so au revoir Haute-Savoie! Crossing Col des Aravis. Hope Pratiwi is praying for some sun!
Friday 24 June 2022
... and so we find ourselves on the shores of Lake Orta. Quite pretty with some hills around. Weather seems OK. Phew!
Friday 24 June 2022
Evening walk in Orta San Giulio. What a beautiful little place!
Saturday 25 June 2022
Today's ride: Lakes Orta & Maggiore. Ridiculously beautiful! Many cyclists out & even traffic is well behaved
Saturday 25 June 2022
Dinner at Pane e Vino, Orta. Absolutely loved our platter of meat+cheese & breads. Sublime flavours. Great beer too!
Saturday 25 June 2022
Just as we finished dinner this concert was starting in the square. Lovely ambience on this lakeside summer's eve.
Sunday 26 June 2022
Random shots from today's little drive along Lake Maggiore. Feriolo then coffee stop in Intra. Another glorious day.
Monday 27 June 2022
Unbelievable Italian/Swiss ride. Lakes, spectacular Maggia Valley & super technical descent to the finish! Love it!
Monday 27 June 2022
Found this tray of random pastries from the local bakery waiting on my return from this morning's ride. Score!
Monday 27 June 2022
Short walk into Cannobio centre. Along the lake of course. Now... what's for dinner!?
Monday 27 June 2022
Dinner? As if you couldn't guess: beer & fanta then pizza, pasta & tiramisu! Nom, nom, nom!
Tuesday 28 June 2022
Nasty hail storm. Thankfully not big enough to cause damage but could be our cue to leave! Arrivederci Italia!
Tuesday 28 June 2022
Few minutes drive up the lake... Ciao Svizzera! Quick look around Ascona in the rain. Still beautiful
Tuesday 28 June 2022
Lunch of Italian treats picked up as we left: Gorgonzola+mascarpone, tiramisu+pastries, ham, tomatoes & bread. Nom!
Tuesday 28 June 2022
Swiss motorway toll is 40CHF so bit miffed sat in traffic. But at least didn't pay half a million plus to do so!
Tuesday 28 June 2022
Stay on target. Stay on target!!! Erm... I mean... driving the Gotthard tunnel Almost 17km long so plenty of this!
Tuesday 28 June 2022
Driving the Susten Pass (2,264m) in rain & fog. You'd think it would suck but: wow! Love me some misty mountains!
Tuesday 28 June 2022
Awesome Swiss public BBQ pit. With firewood provided! Right by a spring on small riverside walking trail. Very nice!
Tuesday 28 June 2022
Quite a drive today so short evening walk to get the legs moving. Parked up in Aareschlucht, Switzerland. Very nice!
Tuesday 28 June 2022
Stumbled across on this evening's walk: Aareschlucht Ost train station. Sliding doors in side of a mountain. So cool!
Wednesday 29 June 2022
Rain forecast, but awoke to blue skies so maybe it's our lucky day? Fingers crossed as we hop in this cute telecabin.
Wednesday 29 June 2022
Short & sometimes steep hike up to the Trift Bridge. So lucky it turned out nice Sure, this is pretty, but wait...
Wednesday 29 June 2022
The Trift Bridge. Because why wouldn't you build a rope crossing between cliffs above a glacial lake? A. Maze. Ing!!!
Wednesday 29 June 2022
Onwards & upwards as they say! Last part of today's hike via Windegghutte. Few chains on this climb. Awesome route!
Wednesday 29 June 2022
Late lunch after a morning's hike. Last of the fresh pasta from Italy sitting under a shady tree. We like it here
Thursday 30 June 2022
Grimsel Pass with an Italian champion. Nice! Was gonna do Furka Pass too but torrential rain came & killed that plan!
Thursday 30 June 2022
Yum lunch from Warung Kecil Amazing so nice & sunny given downpour only 1hr earlier - see clouds up valley behind!
Friday 1 July 2022
Random shots from today's instalment of 'Driving Through Switzerland in the Rain'. Bit of a theme forming here!
Friday 1 July 2022
Lucky lunch find: amazing Thai buffet. Saw customers having seconds, followed the lead & had 2 plates like this! Yum!
Friday 1 July 2022
Evening stroll in Vitznau, Lake Lucerne. Interesting train station here: Rigibahn was 1st mountain railway in Europe.
Saturday 2 July 2022
Today's ride. Too spectacular for words! Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug, Sattel, Schwyz, Illgau & return. Just wow!
Sunday 3 July 2022
Time to leave Lake Lucerne... really love this place. Last of the views on the road above Weggis. Tschuss!
Sunday 3 July 2022
Laufen Castle by Rhine Falls. There's a restaurant with beautiful terrace here, but it's bit warm for a Sunday roast!
Sunday 3 July 2022
Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall (by volume). We were passing so had to have a look, but a little puny TBH
Sunday 3 July 2022
Willkommen in Deutschland! 2 mins after crossing the border sat with a beer, eating schnitzel & pulled pork. Nom!
Sunday 3 July 2022
In a bakery for dessert: huge slab of layered sponge & cream cake covered in marzipan & chocolate. Unusual & v. good!
Monday 4 July 2022
Today's ride: awesome Black Forest tonne... & a bit! Bit toasty (cue obligatory ass sweat picture). Erm, sorry?
Monday 4 July 2022
Huge post-ride dinner of German goodies: Schnitzels, chips, pork & spaetzle. Strudel & of course beer. Hits the spot!
Monday 4 July 2022
Had a wonderful dinner in the town square here in Staufen. Love towns & villages like this. So colourful & historic.
Tuesday 5 July 2022
German supermarket. Hallo! Showed great restraint only buying 2 cases. Few bottles of fave weizenbier too. Prost!
Tuesday 5 July 2022
In German industrial area picking up snail part. Kebab shop here has huge plate easily enough for 2 & delish! Nom!
Tuesday 5 July 2022
Sunset at Lac de Vaivre. Parked up in a quiet spot by this lake. Very nice & thankful it's still not peak season
Thursday 7 July 2022
Easy morning ride through vineyards & villages of southern Bourgogne. Impressive monastery in Rimont. Lovely area.
Thursday 7 July 2022
Place we fancied for lunch in Charolles full so ate snails, duck & creme brulee in Digoin instead. Could be worse!
Friday 8 July 2022
Nice spin in Parc naturel regional des Volcans d'Auvergne. Quite a mouthful! But great park could spend more time in.
Saturday 9 July 2022
Random rest stop overlooking Viaduc de Garabit. Build by Eiffel (you know, the tower guy) so an historical monument!
Saturday 9 July 2022
Dinner with sis who's more into wine than smiling for a selfie Frogs legs, 7hr leg of lamb & soft choco cake. Nom!
Sunday 10 July 2022
Obligatory, "We're on a road trip across France in July", picture
