This years Epic Summer trip

[Pudsey Bear]

We kept our water in the bathroom on those silicone mats, they never moved.

 

[barryd]

We kept our water in the bathroom on those silicone mats, they never moved.

I would get them in the garage at a push to be honest but its keeping the weight balanced. I don't know why that still bothers me though really as its like a tank this thing. I have loads of bungies for carrying the Kayak, cassette etc. Ill bungee them all together. Then of course there is the chance they will all en masse go on a trip down the centre of the van to the back just like the Gold on the Italian Job! We were singing that on the way up here.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I'd not worry too much about the small amount weight, when was the last time we had an overweight VAN thread.

 

[Nabsim]

For the last few years I have filled the shower tray with 5 litre bottles as an extra stash, will have to count up but think either 12 or 13 fit in the tray. The sides raised about 3 inches and that's been sufficient to keep them in place. I can also fit 3 x 5litre bottles in the cab door step area, that does me quite a while with the onboard 80 litre tank when I go into water conservation mode. Its nearly always food replenishment that forces a move unless I am moving around anyway.

 

[barryd]

Kerriiist! Food replacement? We could survive six months I reckon and still she insists on going to bloody French supermarkets. I won't mind when we run out of Jura cheese though.

Col de Pre! OMG! More later as still out but makes yesterday look like riding around Norfolk!

 

[barryd]

Well I didn't think we could surpass yesterday but we really have. It is truly stunning here. I did a lot of research but its exceeded expectations. The Col Du Pre over the top to Lac de Roselend was absolutely fabulous and we did it the best way round. Up the steep narrow and endless switchbacks (Motorhomes are banned) then back down the other side of Lac de Roselend down the main and faster road to Beaufort. Then back up the first half of the Col du Pre back to Areches then up to Le Planey where we are now. Went back out later to Lac de Saint Guerin which is smaller lake but looks amazing and you can kayak there and walk around it. God knows how much ascent and descent we have done today but its been great.

For 15 years I've wanted to come here from Annecy but the weather was always against us. There is a wild spot by Lac de Roselend I always thought looked fabulous. However just yesterday I found some recent comments that put me right off. Over subscribed and reports of "bad toilet" behaviour, tent and car campers so I chose here instead. We checked out the lake wild spot today. I made the right decision. Crammed and not very nice.

I took some great bike video and loads of pictures but the downside is the internet connection has died. Im not even sure I can post a single picture. Will have to tackle that as I'm lost without it. Im just trying to upload a few low res pics now.

Hopefully a cable car trip tomorrow and another one Tuesday, some kayaking, walking and of course more biking! Oh and I need to get some Beaufort Cheese! Basically a summer Comte.

 

[barryd]

Another great start to the day this morning. Michelle walked to Areches then I picked her up for a ride down the twisties to Beaufort for the most expensive Poulet à la Fermière in France. Worth it apparently as its tasty but I think I might have to don a dinner jacket to eat it.

Then we caught the chair lift up to Le Grand Mont from Areches and had a rake round there while "Lara Croft" took off up to the top of the mountain at a rate of knots leaving the Swiss family Robinson brigade in her wake. I found a rather cool pine sunbed and made use of that.

Got some fabulous photos of the Col du Pre we did yesterday on the bike where you can clearly see all the narrow switch backs in the last photo. Lunch I think next and then not sure for the rest of the day. Paragliding maybe and then the Marmot Bar I reckon.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Wellies more like matey.

 

[barryd]

So the afternoon and early evening was fab lunch, mystery tour up some bonkers single track road high up above Beaufort, walk round a little lake, trying out one of these windy tap things from 200 years ago, pub!

I like it when you go off up the little lesser known roads not knowing where you will end up. Found a lovely little church and some Marmot houses that look like little Alpine Chalets.

Going to have to find a better water source though. I almost drilled a hole in my hand turning the thing to fill one 5 litre bottle.

 

[runnach]

Another great start to the day this morning. Michelle walked to Areches then I picked her up for a ride down the twisties to Beaufort for the most expensive Poulet à la Fermière in France. Worth it apparently as its tasty but I think I might have to don a dinner jacket to eat it.

Then we caught the chair lift up to Le Grand Mont from Areches and had a rake round there while "Lara Croft" took off up to the top of the mountain at a rate of knots leaving the Swiss family Robinson brigade in her wake. I found a rather cool pine sunbed and made use of that.

Got some fabulous photos of the Col du Pre we did yesterday on the bike where you can clearly see all the narrow switch backs in the last photo. Lunch I think next and then not sure for the rest of the day. Paragliding maybe and then the Marmot Bar I reckon.

Another great start to the day this morning. Michelle walked to Areches then I picked her up for a ride down the twisties to Beaufort for the most expensive Poulet à la Fermière in France. Worth it apparently as its tasty but I think I might have to don a dinner jacket to eat it.

McDonalds must have upped their game in the region!!

 

[barryd]

McDonalds must have upped their game in the region!!

I would rather eat the cow pat I trod in up the mountain this morning than that filth. I bet it would not only be tastier but more nutritious.

 

[runnach]

I would rather eat the cow pat I trod in up the mountain this morning than that filth. I bet it would not only be tastier but more nutritious.

Along with said cows urine as a dip

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I would rather eat the cow pat I trod in up the mountain this morning than that filth. I bet it would not only be tastier but more nutritious.

An x GF used to call it "Death in a bun"

 

[trevskoda]

Folk here eat nothing but mac cr-p b king etc, at t time my village is blocked solid with cars full of folk ordering there t time feed, young folk cannot cook.

 

[barryd]

Urgggh.

Bit rough this morning.

Quadrophenia at full chat last night in the van. Way too many Grumbleweed beers after the pub.

Rest day I think.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Lightweight.

 

[barryd]

Lightweight.

I feel almost human again now I think I need a sausage or bacon sandwich to sort me out.

 

[barryd]

Quite the day today. Bit knackered now. Some morning hiking (Michelle not me) up a trail where I could get the bike up for a retrieval taxi service. Then another chairlift up Mont Combe. Sadly too many clouds for a proper view of Mont Blanc still but great fun. The chairlifts are brilliant fun coming down. Maybe not if you don't like heights. They are a bit rickety.

Little Market in Areches was indeed very little but the Fromagerie there had some superb Beaufort D'été cheese. . Later I decided it was my duty to be the hunter gatherer and go on a water hunt which was a worry after finding the disastrous and frankly feeble winding spring pump down the mountain where the other motorhomers are. However, by the Boucherie in Areches I found another one and it was brilliant. The key is to wind them up and let them spin on their own. It was just the right height to fill the 25 litre carrier and then 3 x 5 litres carriers. So the little lady can continue using her luxury shower she is very fond of. I might even have one myself one day.
Trip into Beaufort this evening for food etc.

Its got super quiet up here tonight. We are on our own! What a contrast from the madness of Annecy.

Off to explore some new places tomorrow north of Beaufort.

Few pics

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Not seen that type of pump, how do they actually work?

 

[barryd]

Not seen that type of pump, how do they actually work?

You have to turn the handle on the top fast and after a while it pumps up the water from presumably some ancient prehistoric well or spring or summut. We found another one in a car park where the motorhomes are the other day and it was absolutely shite. They were queuing up to use it. It took me five minutes to fill one 5 litre carrier and I almost burned a hole in my hand. However with this one which is my own secret one its a bit like those round abouts in the park you used to spin faster and faster until the kids started to fly off. you only have to get it going and it spews out water at a good rate then as it slows you give it another spin and it carries on. We found an Elsan as well in the car park further down the road so all sorted here. There is a Flot Bleau at a campsite 6 miles away and 2000ft down but I hate using them. Credit card and you need to take your own hose which is not practical on the bike.

As usual though. You always find something. Should I do the right thing though and tell the French in the car park at Areches about my secret (Working) spring pump?