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.