Last Tourmalet of Summer. Booooo! Perfect day for it, and don't worry - autumn riding here is pretty good too!
Blue sky Tourmalet tonne (& a bit)... what a day!
Chillin' on the terrace after some yardwork. Sometimes we don't even need to wait 'til sunset for a light show here!
Trimming tall hedges today. Raining spiders & caterpillars. Imagine doing this in Aus? You'd be straight to A&E!
Nice sunset this evening!
Crystal clear Lac d'Estom & the equally pristine Gave de Lutour. Many shallows & waterfalls on this hike. Stunning!
Last Pyrenees Cycl'n Trip bike only morning this year. Aubisque & Soulor. Magical climb through & above the clouds!
Sunrise from the front door... let's get out there!
When mountains are your playground! Peyresourde & altiport bike only morning + few more climbs seeing as I'm here
Early... erm... drive (shock!) over Col d'Aspin. Kindof fun when not with a nervous passenger in a 3.5t vehicle
Obligatory TdF day ride up the Tourmalet. Usual madness & great atmosphere, although it looks oddly quiet here!
Lunch @ Chez Gabrielle. We are rarely defeated but had to doggy bag some of the pork knuckle. Very generous servings!
Spotted in Barbazan-Dessus... flagon of wine on the rack, bottle in the back pocket. Did well to make it this far!
Col d'Aspin today. As usual (in summer) overrun by cattle. There are worse places to have on your doorstep!
4 hours later...! Yes, takes a while to get the garden half presentable after 3 weeks away & still much more to do!
Heading home today, but when in Toulouse... Last holiday lunch at one of our fave curry houses. Nom!
Random view from the road today. Looking west(ish) from somewhere near A75/D29 junction.
If it fits, we... erm... stays here? Not the ideal campsite entrance but she'll be right!
TdF Grand Depart is in Italy this year so... topical post ride refreshments while watching today's stage. Cheers!
Sunday 2 gorges ride... but I've a feeling we're not in Sydney anymore! Lot valley to Gorge du Tarn & back.
Today was mostly spent: driving in the rain. If you're stuck indoors, might as well wake up somewhere new tomorrow
Lunch stop on the pretty main street of Morestel. Random cafe we chose had interesting mains & amazing desserts. Nom!
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne cathedral & cloisters. Very interesting & cool (literally!) break from the hot summer sun.
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne town square, cathedral, tourist office & Mairie (town hall). V. pretty with all the flowers.
Great lunch at L'Indochine (Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne). Bit warm for fried dessert but glad we had them - super nom!
Great ride up Lacets de Montvernier & Col du Chaussy, but no views from either. Doh! Few nice shots later on though.
When you walk into a campsite's reception & see this... you know there's gonna be some good riding in the area!
Telegraphe & Galibier. Huge snow wall at the summit. Rest much prettier than I imagined. Descent ain't bad either!
Last Italian pizza, pasta & tiramisu for this trip (& a nice local beer). Had to suffice as gelateria closed. Doh!
Views from the road today: Driving down to La Thuile, over Col du Petit Saint-Bernard & through La Rosière.
For some reason I found this vaguely amusing. Maybe delirious after our hike? Should find something to eat, eh?
Part two of our hike today. The impossibly beautiful Lago d'Arpy. Lost for words!
Easy hike through pine forest carpeted with buttercups to Belvedere d'Arpy, which has an amazing view of Mt Blanc!
Couple of views up and down the Aosta Valley from Sarre. What a beautiful place!!
Today's ride: Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard. 40km climb from Aosta to frozen lake, down Swiss side & back. Spectacular!
Spotted in Settimo Vittone, Italy: Jesus is my Airbag. So that explains Italian drivers?!
Lunch at Camping Solcio: bit swish for a campsite restaurant! Very nice pizza (pepperoni FTW!), pasta & seafood. Nom!
Today's ride: Little pootle in the hills above Lake Maggiore. Always beautiful... and even the weather came good!
Well this is alright! Camping right by Lake Maggiore. Even a little beach here, but not hot enough to warrant a swim.
Benvenuto a Lago Maggiore! Been a great day... if you're a duck! Blue skies tomorrow?
Random pizza in Vercelli. Nice, but last one was better. Still not 100% satisfied though - more testing required!
Nice view passing Barolo today. We would have stayed here for couple days if the weather was better. Doh!
HC climb to Prato Nevso on an overcast day... no, in drizzle... no, in torrential rain! At least it was warm-ish
Sometimes it's just nice to know you're not the slowest on the mountain...
Sanctuary of the Nativity of Mary, Vicoforte. Very ornate inside. Beautiful square with archways opposite. Love it!
Orange trees as shade? Odd choice! Plenty of ripe fruit already fallen so no wonder locals don't wash their cars
I'm not a coffee person, but... this is Italy where it seems illegal to go out early & not order one at a cafe!
Obligatory bakery craving photo ... Italian edition
Dawn stroll at Diano Marina. Beach culture in Italy is bit of a shock for us Aussies. I just don't get it!
Dinner & short stroll around Diano Marina. We just stopped here by chance but turns out to be a lovely little town