This years Epic Summer trip

[barryd]

Yesterday was our last full day here. Michelle did the cascades walk and in the afternoon we had a fabulous ride of about 70 miles down from High Jura to lower Jura to Baume Les Messieurs. We have been before many years ago. Lovely village but the attraction is the huge canyon it lies in and a 3km ride up to the Grottes and waterfalls at the end. Not much water yesterday though. It was a proper "lost in France" afternoon winding our way through all sorts of off the beaten track lanes, valleys, switch back mountains, forests and lakes. We managed to get a ticking off by the police before we left though for not wearing gloves on the bike. Its been law since before we were last here but it seems its one they enforce now.

We ended the day early evening at our favourite lake down below before going for something to eat in the village.

Off to Annecy area this morning. We are not heading to the lake just yet though as the forecast is not great so going to check out a couple of new places just before there for a day or two.

Découvrez Baume-les-Messieurs (Jura), un des Beaux Villages de France

Découvrez Baume-les-Messieurs (Jura) et son abbaye impériale au cœur des paysages grandioses du Jura : histoire, patrimoine, lieux de visite incontournables, bonnes adresses pour votre séjour…

www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org

Few pics.

 

[Jo001]

I'm really enjoying this thread @barryd , keep it coming!

 

[runnach]

Great images and info Barry, reminds me of the Canyon of Bozouls.

 

[barryd]

It took us an age to get there and it's probably only 30 miles from where we were parked. I use Google maps as a sat nav but only the audio in my earphones. It changes routes though or you mess up without the visuals and you end up down all sorts of weird and wonderful back roads and lanes. For once this was a real bonus as we never knew where it would take us next. No big rush just wafting along at 30 or 40 mph down little lanes. We never hardly passed any cars. Perfect.

This morning however I'm navigating the 8.5m van out of Jura so despite doing my research on the route, no goat tracks today I hope. So far it's been faultless but they have also been easy main routes.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

We did our best but...

 

[barryd]

Well it took us three and a quarter hours to travel the 80 miles to where we are now which to be fair included a French supermarket and petrol station stop so probably only 15 minutes driving time. The ride out of Jura to the Rhone Alps, Ain department was fabulous if a little slow in places. It was a proper test run for what its to come in new Hank which is mountains, mountains and more mountains! Up and down, twisty roads, two Cols and of course about 9km of mandatory goat track. The new van was a delight. Just took everything in its stride and I can fling it about quite nicely. Seems well planted and on the extended Alko chassis handles really well. We just need to be doubly sure nothing is going to fly about inside when we hit the biguns.

I planned to stop a few miles out of Annecy for a couple of days while the weather is pants. First Aire was awful, next to a busy road and it looked cramped. I knew it would be but it was on the route anyway but the second one which I thought would be much better was indeed much better. I was lucky to find this one as its not on Search for sites or CC Infos. I found it by accident after days of pouring over the various sites on Park for night. Its a bit like a CL really. Two sections. I would have preferred the top one but its full. Parked in a corner next to the owners van. Lovely friendly chap and lots of space between vans. We got an end with a view of the mountains. €15 including hookup and services which for round Annecy is a bargain.

As soon as we arrived it started raining.

park4night - (74600) Aire privée de camping-cars

Private, two-level motorhome site. 15 minutes from Lake Annecy and 30 minutes from Lake Aix-les-Bains. Access via the parking lot of the restaurant "Les Tables de L'Etang." Reception is located on the site or by phone. Views of the Semnoz Massif, restaurant, and terrace on the banks of the lake...

tinyurl.com

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I told you that you'd love the new van mate.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

I told you that you'd love the new van mate.

He's loving a little too much - not that I'm green with envy or anything like that!

 

[barryd]

I told you that you'd love the new van mate.

Yep, you did. Its a joy to drive. Today was a real pleasure really. That is something I lost for the last few years in old hank (bless him). It got to the stage where I dreaded driving it. You do need to watch the longer overhang and slightly longer rack on this one though and with it being 8.5m swinging your back end out at tight petrol stations, aires or supermarket car parks can be a bit iffy but then it has a camera on the back which zooms to the back end right over the scooter either automatically in reverse or manually if going forward by pressing the button on the mirror. So far so good. Not whacked anything yet but I used to punt all sorts with the old scooter rack. The funniest one was sending a giant wheelie bin down the hill in Figeac.

 

[barryd]

Well I think thats enough for today. We ventured into Annecy centre to a restaurant I had read good reviews for away from the tourist section. Its only 5.5 miles away from the Aire but I had forgotten what its like navigating through a French tourist city in July and especially one thats in the top 5 in France for holiday hot spots. It reminds me of driving in London to be honest. Even parking a scooter can be a bit tight but we found a spot by the train station. Nice lunch and then a ride to the lake which was a bit of a white knuckle ride through the heaving traffic, breathing in and filtering through it all. By this time its rush hour (Sunday?) so we only go as far as the tragic and rammed Aire on the outskirts of the city. Take a few photos in the rain and bugger off. I'm sure the Aire which reminds me of the game sardines has got smaller. Only about 10 vans and its full.

Google maps once again took us on a mystery tour back to the van which was just fine and as soon as we got back via a couple of villages the sun came out.

I don't think we will go out this evening unless its to investigate the bar on the other side of the little pond.

Bloody hell! I think we might be actually "Touring". Been a while.

 

[barryd]

Just plotting our route so far. Not much freeloading going on here!! WTF!!

Rutland water (not free)
Canterbury (not free)
Rodemack (Free)
Lac de Longemer (not free)
Eagles Peak Jura (Free)
Annecy (Not free).

I feel like I am letting the WC Side down here!

 

[Pudsey Bear]

It's a bit late to be admitting it now after all these years Barry.

 

[barryd]

It's a bit late to be admitting it now after all these years Barry.

Top free loading on Arran though for three and a half weeks! Although to be fair I still spent over a grand. Christ knows what on!

 

[barryd]

Ooooooh! Don't go to France in July they said! It will be too hot they said!! Now sat in the van with the heating on!

So we did battle with the traffic, checked out the LPG station with the 3.1m heigh barrier for tomorrow (might just fit if we breathe in) and went off round the other side of the lake to a Belvedere walk. As soon as we got there the weather closed in. Not much rain but the temperature plummeted. Managed to get one almost sunny photo while we sat by the lake for a while. I was prepared though with me Arctic gear. Those Frenchies laughed at the silly Rosbif in the arctic jacket. I had the last laugh though.

We were going to go right round the lake and check out the Aire at Lathuile for tomorrow but binned that off and headed back to the van via the chaos of Annecy city in Rush hour. Stopped at the rather posh Harely Davidson shop for a look at some of them. Rubbish!

There is an evening food market in a hillside village five miles away but unless the sun comes out we will be giving it a swerve I reckon.

 

[Nabsim]

If its cold weather I may have to renew my passport, heat wave coming in again here from tomorrow and 30's just aren't right!

Hose pipe ban starts in East Yorkshire on Friday Barry lol

 

[barryd]

If its cold weather I may have to renew my passport, heat wave coming in again here from tomorrow and 30's just aren't right!

Hose pipe ban starts in East Yorkshire on Friday Barry lol

Normal service is supposedly back tomorrow with sunshine and warmth for the foreseeable. Typical Annecy really. Its busy mind. Lets see how long we can stand it.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Been very warm here all day.

 

[barryd]

Stunning morning this morning. Bright sunshine. We left the heating on all last night though.

So its 16.5 miles to the next Aire with a stop for LPG. Place your bets how long it will take. Probably leaving after 9 ish.

 

[jacquigem]

Does annecy still have clean aire zone ?

 

[jacquigem]

Presume you have been up to Semnoz? If not highly recommend for drive and view from the top.