Sat 12^th

Nice sunny start to the day so a late , lazy breakfast. Bikes out and prepared . The air was cool at the start but it soon warmed up. Cycling through the port part of Annecy was very congested with everybody out enjoying the sun. The piste cycable runs around the lake for most of the way with some of it on the main roads. The views were to die for, verdant slopes leading to fluffy white topped mountain ranges all around us. Some of the houses were amazing and no doubt worth a fortune. The gradual climb up to Talloire had Tina puffing  but she persevered and was soon over the top of the climb. The descent into the town was great with a few hairpins. The route then made it’s way round the south end of the lake on some lovely quiet roads until we joined the main road into Annecy. Luckily the route was now on the old railway line . There were picnic stops and wc’s at regular intervals. Really well done and being enjoyed by cyclists of all ages and abilities. Tina was by now running out of energy!  The climb back up to the campsite was very steep and made worse by the heat. We put our lives at risk by trying to use a pedestrian crossing to turn left at the top of the very busy main road. Most French drivers seem to regard them as invisible and ignore you. We got half way but a young lad would not stop and waved at us as we hesitated – “merci ******” was my shouted anglo saxon response. Why are so many of them such inconsiderate, selfish drivers?  Rant over.

View from Talloires across Lac de Annecy

After lunch we got scoot out of the garage and rode up to the Semnoz  ski area. Still some snow and pretty cold as the sun had vanished. Some  nutters on snowboards coming down on the patchy snow. When we returned the site had filled up with vans and tents. A good day.

Friday 11^th

After leaving our ski stuff with Sue & Andy we meandered to Annecy in the hot summer like sunshine. Shorts for me again!  The lakeside aire was full but was very small and cramped. We followed the signs for “camping municipal” and arrived at Le Belvedere high above the lake. Very good facilities and only 25 mins walk to the old town (but a very steep path). We settled in and went for a mini explore before dinner. The old town is lovely with lots of cafes and interesting people to watch.

Plan for tomorrow is to cycle around the lake on the cycle path. Early to bed – again!

Tues 8^th

Rain in the morning so we went for a walk up into Bourg then a shop in super U in prep for moving up to Tignes le Breviere. Arrived in the sun to “le grand parking” – lots of other vans. Found a good spot and went for a wander. Nice atmosphere and a machine to buy our passes. Sorted.

Sue, Tina, Sara and Alfie 

Weds & thurs 9^th / 10^th

Lovely sunny ski days. Met up with Sue, Sara and Alfie for a fun day weds on the Grand Motte glacier at 3546 m. The snow was good. We all met Nige for a relaxed lunch in a trendy bar. Budget blown. Nige had unfortunately suffered an accident on his first day’s skiing and had his left knee in a brace.  He wasn’t complaining and put on a brave face. Thurs we skied with Sara until lunchtime – kissed and waved goodbye to our postmistress as we ascended for one last run down from the top. A really good day to complete the first stage of our trip. Really good to link up with our friends. We sat outside the van and had tea in the sun to celebrate. After a multi lingual discussion with our fellow camping caristes we moved into the centre of the car park away from the grungy ski bums’ vans who had been chatting for most of the previous night. I had only heard them a little as I slept like a log – didn’t even hear the piste basher return behind us. I was reliably informed by Tina of all the goings on!  Note to ourselves – park at opposite end of any future parking spots well away from any clapped out converted vans / people with funny hairstyles and extra baggy trousers.  Ian’s chilli tonight so plenty of drinks required to combat the heat!  As if we need an excuse……………

Motorhome parking at Le Breviere

Sun 6^th

Clear skies meant a ski day. Very hard snow in the morning soon turned into very heavy, tiring snow in the very hot sun.  After a relaxing lunch lounging at a piste side bar (reclining chairs are very hard to get out of……) we decided to ski back down at 2.45pm. Tina was definitely tired as she stopped uphill, then promptly slid backwards into a heap! Both skis released. This time I did not take any pics

 The funiculaire down was busy with people at the end of their holidays and very hot. After a wait for the navette we returned to a lovely sunny campsite. Shorts on and then tea sitting outside at exactly 5pm ( house rules). Tina then had a well deserved snooze. 

Weather forecast is more of the same – potentially poor snow and high temperatures. 

Do we ski more or move on towards Annecy????  Or move up to Tignes Le Breviere to meet up with Sara (our postmistress), Nige and Alfie

link to next stage - just trying to insert link - sorry if it looks clumsy!

https://www.google.it/maps/dir/Camping+Le+Versoyen,+Route+des+Arcs,+73700+Bourg-Saint-Maurice,+France/Baveno+VB/@46.2719171,6.2970071,9z/data=!4m34!4m33!1m25!1m1!1s0x47896f55d6c80341:0xb77ae9c93ad7005e!2m2!1d6.784655!2d45.622383!3m4!1m2!1d6.1475911!2d45.9163495!3s0x478b8fbdc143b417:0xab901f7fab5e8150!3m4!1m2!1d6.337621!2d46.3206599!3s0x478c6a5d72ee7725:0x2052e82ccde85e2c!3m4!1m2!1d6.532093!2d46.391568!3s0x478c3c661e370b69:0x3925d30c697ea8f7!3m4!1m2!1d6.93192!2d46.38793!3s0x478e9a193fc1484f:0xed1071a400e18b84!1m5!1m1!1s0x4785dfe9448ee661:0x4e181120f9e48f0e!2m2!1d8.5055814!2d45.9089803!3e0?hl=en-GB

Weds 2^nd april

Skied with Sue today in la Rosiere and over into La Thuile (Italy). Glorious weather and absolutely empty pistes. After late afternoon après ski tea and cake with Sue we departed pikey Ville and drove down the mountain to Bourg St Maurice a town we know very well. Camping Versoyen is ideal for skiing in Les Arcs and opposite Super U. Lots of brits who look as if they have been here for the season.  Very pleasant, and very warm.  Very strong Fohn wind blowing.

Thurs 3^rd

First thing was to have one of the rear wheels/ brakes inspected by a garage just behind us – it had developed an annoying mouse like squeak at very low speed. This was very frustrating as we had just had the  van serviced before we left. 30 mins was all it took them to strip the brake and clean/ adjust the pads. We didn’t even have to wait! Great service. It was then CPD day for Tina after we had been across to the supermarket. The camp wifi seemed ok when used with our antenna. I  left her to it and ended up  becoming teacher for a lovely Brit couple in the van behind us – on how to use their garmin sat nav!  I then cycled along the river which was nice until I turned back into the very strong headwind. Knackered.

Fri 4^th

We went skiing with Gerard a French wine producer from the Bourgogne wine region and Peter a76 yr old ex tyre “baron” a very entertaining combination. We had a fun day and skied all over the resort until after 4pm. It was very sunny again and hot when we arrived back at the campsite. We have an open invitation to visit Gerard’s vineyard which we will most definitely take up. Tina was absolutely cream crackered. We arranged to meet them sat morning at 9am to take advantage of a promotion – 24 euros for a day pass. Gerard is team leader on obtaining the required voucher from the internet/ campsite patron.

the view from Le Grand Col - Arc 2000

Sat 5th

we have just woken to the patter of rain which means fresh snow high up.  No skiing today so we will have a laundry day/ cleaning van.  More CPD for Tina!
Rain has just stopped, ski this afternoon??  :-)

Forgot to mention that tonight is curry night!  We have brought a frozen take away with us - much to the dismay of our fellow Brit motor homers...............

Tina relaxing at the lakeside in Nantua our second stop enroute to the alps. Lovely setting with the aire in the background. Quiet despite the TGV train line behind us!  We treated ourselves to our first meal out. Yum!

The rather rough aire at La Rosiere 1850. Bit pikey with all the ski bums in residence alongside us! The views are stunning right across to Les Arcs, Ste Foy and in the distance La Plagne. Sunshine from 8 till 8. 

Our first day skiing above La Ros. Usual last minute faffing to get ready, we only made the shuttle bus by 30 seconds. Skied over to Italy - La Thuile. Pistes are virtually empty as IT IS NOT THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!  Forecast good for tomorrow, but bad weather forecast until Sunday so we might move to a campsite down in Bourg St. Maurice.

all systems go - the house is empty!

All our belongings are now in 2 large steel boxes, we are now camping out in the house!

Storage company have been very helpful and are storing my bike trailer for free. Bikes are in a container that is staying on the ground so need to strap them in. Also very easy to get my KTM out if I return for a blast .

Very tiring day getting to this stage, today is cleaning day. Van goes in for service & MOT. Tina much happier now and settling in to being a "non worker"

I feel another trip to the dump is on today as we have to do our final clear out.