France & Italy - Summer '24
A trip to the Alps is becoming our (erm... my?) go-to summer excursion, so off we go again. But... the strange weather of 2024 continues and things didn't quiet go to plan.
Never mind, a detour along French & Italian Riviera isn't exactly a hardship! After that and a brief stop in the Italian lakes (always a pleasure) then back to the mountains via Aosta valley & a return to France.
So not to plan, but always an adventure. Great food, walks, hikes and some epic cycling of course!
Thursday 13 June 2024
Another successful random lunch stop. Great combo of dishes: bacon, egg & mushroom soup thing, veal & mousse! Nom! 
Thursday 13 June 2024
Made it over this bridge in a 2.12m wide vehicle today. Sometimes French inaccuracy can be a good thing! 
Friday 14 June 2024
Pretty cool bike path near Sommieres... and a quick look at the village itself on today's short loop.
Saturday 15 June 2024
Nice little square in the village of Collobrieres & Lac de Carces from today's somewhat longer ride.
Sunday 16 June 2024
Stroll in village of Seillans. Fountains & immaculately presented eateries a theme, but sadly bit early for lunch 
Sunday 16 June 2024
Travelling in France we like to try local delicacies. Like this, erm, Asian restaurant? Very nice curry though
Monday 17 June 2024
Tootle in hills of the French Riviera. Some seriously steep pinches here... 29% max! Few nice views, but a bit busy.
Tuesday 18 June 2024
Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Col de Vence - no pics as no view from top - & the spectacular Gorges du Loup. Awesome ride!
Tuesday 18 June 2024
Sanger & chips picnic lunch. Does it get any more pommie? Overlooking Cap Ferrat? OK, so slightly more exotic!
Tuesday 18 June 2024
Italian supermarket parking... ciao bella! 
Tuesday 18 June 2024
Bit overdressed for the beach? Nice dusk stroll along the front at Diano Marina (Italian Riviera) all the same 
Tuesday 18 June 2024
Dinner & short stroll around Diano Marina. We just stopped here by chance but turns out to be a lovely little town
Wednesday 19 June 2024
Dawn stroll at Diano Marina. Beach culture in Italy is bit of a shock for us Aussies. I just don't get it!
Wednesday 19 June 2024
Obligatory bakery craving photo ... Italian edition.
Wednesday 19 June 2024
I'm not a coffee person, but... this is Italy where it seems illegal to go out early & not order one at a cafe!
Wednesday 19 June 2024
Orange trees as shade? Odd choice! Plenty of ripe fruit already fallen so no wonder locals don't wash their cars
Wednesday 19 June 2024
Sanctuary of the Nativity of Mary, Vicoforte. Very ornate inside. Beautiful square with archways opposite. Love it!
Thursday 20 June 2024
Sometimes it's just nice to know you're not the slowest on the mountain...
Thursday 20 June 2024
HC climb to Prato Nevso on an overcast day... no, in drizzle... no, in torrential rain! At least it was warm-ish
Friday 21 June 2024
Nice view passing Barolo today. We would have stayed here for couple days if the weather was better. Doh!
Friday 21 June 2024
Random pizza in Vercelli. Nice, but last one was better. Still not 100% satisfied though - more testing required!
Friday 21 June 2024
Benvenuto a Lago Maggiore! Been a great day... if you're a duck! Blue skies tomorrow?
Saturday 22 June 2024
Well this is alright! Camping right by Lake Maggiore. Even a little beach here, but not hot enough to warrant a swim.
Saturday 22 June 2024
Today's ride: Little pootle in the hills above Lake Maggiore. Always beautiful... and even the weather came good!
Saturday 22 June 2024
Lunch at Camping Solcio: bit swish for a campsite restaurant! Very nice pizza (pepperoni FTW!), pasta & seafood. Nom!
Sunday 23 June 2024
Spotted in Settimo Vittone, Italy: Jesus is my Airbag. So that explains Italian drivers?!
Monday 24 June 2024
Today's ride: Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard. 40km climb from Aosta to frozen lake, down Swiss side & back. Spectacular!
Tuesday 25 June 2024
Couple of views up and down the Aosta Valley from Sarre. What a beautiful place!!
Tuesday 25 June 2024
Easy hike through pine forest carpeted with buttercups to Belvedere d'Arpy, which has an amazing view of Mt Blanc!
Tuesday 25 June 2024
Part two of our hike today. The impossibly beautiful Lago d'Arpy. Lost for words!
Tuesday 25 June 2024
For some reason I found this vaguely amusing. Maybe delirious after our hike? Should find something to eat, eh?
Tuesday 25 June 2024
Views from the road today: Driving down to La Thuile, over Col du Petit Saint-Bernard & through La Rosière.
Tuesday 25 June 2024
Last Italian pizza, pasta & tiramisu for this trip (& a nice local beer). Had to suffice as gelateria closed. Doh!
Thursday 27 June 2024
Telegraphe & Galibier. Huge snow wall at the summit. Rest much prettier than I imagined. Descent ain't bad either!
Thursday 27 June 2024
When you walk into a campsite's reception & see this... you know there's gonna be some good riding in the area!
Friday 28 June 2024
Great ride up Lacets de Montvernier & Col du Chaussy, but no views from either. Doh! Few nice shots later on though.
Friday 28 June 2024
Great lunch at L'Indochine (Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne). Bit warm for fried dessert but glad we had them - super nom!
Friday 28 June 2024
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne town square, cathedral, tourist office & Mairie (town hall). V. pretty with all the flowers.
Friday 28 June 2024
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne cathedral & cloisters. Very interesting & cool (literally!) break from the hot summer sun.
Saturday 29 June 2024
Lunch stop on the pretty main street of Morestel. Random cafe we chose had interesting mains & amazing desserts. Nom!
Saturday 29 June 2024
Today was mostly spent: driving in the rain. If you're stuck indoors, might as well wake up somewhere new tomorrow
Sunday 30 June 2024
Sunday 2 gorges ride... but I've a feeling we're not in Sydney anymore! Lot valley to Gorge du Tarn & back.
Monday 1 July 2024
If it fits, we... erm... stays here? Not the ideal campsite entrance but she'll be right!
Monday 1 July 2024
Random view from the road today. Looking west(ish) from somewhere near A75/D29 junction.
Monday 1 July 2024
Heading home today, but when in Toulouse... Last holiday lunch at one of our fave curry houses. Nom!
