Madeira - the island of eternal spring. A short break to catch up with family.

Good times spent eating, drinking and just hanging out. Interspersed with driving tours of some favourite, and some new spots.

This isn't a cycling destination - too many 'main road only' routes and tunnels aren't ideal, but... a wonderful island for scenic and unusual walks alongside the network of levadas and in the beautiful highlands. Sadly recent bush fires have closed some of the most picturesque and famous routes, but we still found plenty to enjoy.

Another very successful trip!

Early birthday celebration in the city of gastronomic delights!

Ostensibly this trip was an opportunity to catch up with Pratiwi's family, most of whom we hadn't seen since Thailand & Indonesia, Mar '15. Bali was the chosen spot for this reunion, and while I wasn't really looking forward to the long trip from Europe (much further than from Australia) can't really complain about having to spend 2+ weeks in paradise.

As you can imagine, much merriment ensued. But while westerners might think this means plenty of boozy nights, in fact the Asian equivalent appears to involve feasting on all manner of food. For us, foods that are very hard to come by in France so all the better.

Sure, there were trips to the beach, mountains, temples and even couple of snorkeling excursions but always we came home to a feast of some kind. Gotta say, I got behind this wholeheartedly and had a blast.

Unfinished business in the Alps!

Last year we had planned to spend plenty of time in Switzerland but bad weather put a stop to that. Time to try again...

And success! In fact, things worked out so well we didn't even have time to take what has become a usual loop home through Germany - that will have to wait for next time.

Things went well with another easy jaunt across France. A chance to explore part of the Jura mountains on the French/Swiss border - well, they are mountains so loved this region of course!

Then on to Switzerland for walks, hikes and some truly epic bike riding.

As it turned out there was also time to meet friends in Annecy for a couple of group rides in the region, including another all day epic with giant charcuterie lunch. Good times all round!

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!

Originally planned in March 2020 (do you see the issue!) a long postponed trip finally arrives!

Plenty of walking to balance the mountains of delicious food we ate... and a few cultural venues too.

It was pretty grey and sometimes wet out but nothing us mountain folk can't handle

Lots left to see and do for the next time. Hopefully not another 20 years! Last time here was December 2002 for new years!

With 2020 being bit of a trying year decided to take things easy and have just a quick trip in June. Few nights away not far from home but even though, there was plenty to see and explore. Very warm period but we survived intact!

Short break with Nat to San Sebastian and a couple of coastal towns & villages.

Summer 2016 was spent mostly... playing in the mountains

We did move a bit, but even then, it was just to another part of the mountains

This topic will likely be the last episode in a while because life seems to be settling down into a more easy way of life without much movement. Well, at least for a few months it will be that way. Travel pics will likely return next year.