Honest this was a holiday in Switzerland (my favorite) with a week either side to see do and relax (drink) as much as possible. England was having such a bad summer I decided at the last minute to escape and return to the mountains of my beloved Switzerland.
Day 1/2/3 : Wednesday 5th August 2009 :
home to Dover then ferry to Calais and stop at Buysscheure,France
Miles : 387
Time : 6h28m + 1h
Moving ave : 52mph
Height : 31m
Bye bye England
Nearly white
Camping La Chaumiere, Buysscheure
Pitch and put on site
Campsite pool, heat alert 30c and a shock after the poor summer back home
The Eurostar passes here at 300kph, the driver even spotted us and waved
Camping La Chaumiere, Buysscheure would be the target for the first day and in the end would take 11 hours from door to door including the ferry. The run started at 6 bells and went like clockwork arriving in dover before 1pm and the offer of a free earlier ferry was not turned down.
The campsite is a revisit so no surprises were in store and it looked as beautiful as ever the flowers and grassed areas are so well kept, with massive pitches. So well in fact we are going to look at them for another day.
This was a day that would start early, Paul had spotted the pool and they would be no stopping him until he had his way, a lovely pool all to ourselves most of the time.
We enjoyed ourselves so much that a 3rd night was added, we even packed unplugged and drove to the reception then..............turned round and went back. Another day by the pool and a bike ride to the spot the Eurostar at 300kph (true train spotters now). This option appealed more then driving 230miles in the heat to Troyes.
Day 4: Saturday 8th August 2009: Troyes Camping Municipal, France
Miles : 240
Time : 4h 5m
Moving ave : 58mph
Height : 100m
Even the shops in Troyes are worth looking at
Troyes caters for thousands of alfresco diners
An early start was in order to reach Troyes and get on first come first served campsite, sadly I had discovered a lovely bar in the vilage center last night which sold a unknown light beer that tasted fantastic and buckled my knees. So the early start was a right struggle.
No problem getting here autoroute for 200 miles (at a cost of 38&€;, I hate paying tolls) and pitched on camping municipal for 1pm. which was surprising as we had to pass a Mac Arthur Glen shopping outlet a mile from the site. Karen stared and stared but we sailed right on by. Paul was horrified when he spotted the new swimming pool empty, this would enable Karen to get into town for retail therapy.
Day 5/6 : Sunday 9th August 2009:camping Belverdre, Annecy France
Miles : 270
Time : 5h 5m
Moving ave : 54
Height : 533m
Even with cloud cover Annecy looks fantastic
Okay all today was about was to reach Annecy. 270 miles south about 240 on the autoroute at a cost of 47€. Last time I took 2 days to cover the same ground and stayed off the autoroute, more picturesque cheaper but at the cost of a day which I wanted to spend elsewhere.
Annecy campsite would not score well with Paul, it lacked a little on kids facilities but being only 0.6mile to town, this is always the price you pay for location.
Tonight we would be reminded of home as it poured down, to wet to even sit under the awning, it lasted only an hour or so and the lightening was a marvel to watch (if not scared).
Tuesday was spent wondering around the old town, photo after photo and preparing for an early start on the Leffe followed by Moules and fries the best this side of North Shields.
Day 7/8: Tuesday 11th August 2009:
camping L'Escale,Le Grand Bornand,France
Miles : 21
Time : 1hr
Moving ave : 21mph
Height : 929m
An early morning 10 miler before breakfast
The village swimming pool
the campsite swimming pool
Paul's happy !!! This camp site would score well....
Good idea at the time early start required to reach next campsite, as they would only reserve a pitch until 12 noon. Now we had an idea that we wanted to do a bike ride on the shores of Lake Annecy, so get up at 7 bells and do it. I dragged them from their beds relocated the motorhome and set off for 8am ish.
The lake side is a delight and a fantastic bike track exists, the views are fantastic, the mountains on the opposite side of the lake would also be our next destination. We were only moving 20 miles to Le Grand Bornand, a small picturesque village with a full rated resort campsite.
The campsite was excellent well placed only 200m from town with a wide selection of Bars and restaurants. However these would have to wait for Paul to exhaust himself in the pool ( a full adventure type of play area).
Wednesday would see us do our first proper walk in the alps to a height of 1450mto Le Croix. The weather was fantastic at 28c it was maybe a little hot for Paul. A cable car was used for the decent.
The campsite here is one of the best the location is first is excellent the vista is perfect, the only complaint being the small size of the showers and the quality of the pitches. Oh and I don't like paying for WiFi
The scenery in the alps is a joy
The path up can be clearly seen from the chair lift. 5m4s it's a lot quicker than walking
The lad opposite on the campsite provided the entertainment ... he went on to remove the front wheel and ride the length of the campsite... His van had team GAS GAS on the side and sort of told me some think
Video showing the lad on the bike above 2 minutes good stuff
Day 9/10/11 : Thursday 13th Aug 2009 :
Camping I'lle des Barretts, Chamonix, France
Miles : 44
Time : 2h
Moving ave : 22mph
Height : 1031m
Our first view of Mont Blanc
Somehow it never changes, the view from Chamonix campsite is one of the best
It's terrible to have to look at this view while having breakfast at the campsite....
Always a good day out and extra special when the weather is this good
Last time it was waterproofs and hats , this time we sat outside for lunch
Chamonix from the top
Mont Blanc !!! this is as close as I will get.
This is the end of the tourist trail, after here it's for real.
(p.s. Paul fell on his botty after about 12 inches it was so icy)
Show off
and just to top breakfast this was the view for lunch (and not from behind glass)
Views as we walked away from the mid cable car station to reach the train at the glazier Mer de Glace.
4.5 miles of the best walking one could wish for, It also included a top of 2202m.
The walk is referred to as the Plan de l'Aiguille to Montenvers traverse.
Le Signal at 2204m was a good one
Finally the gray glazier (are you sure it's not just rocks)
The station Montenvers , a cog railway takes you back to Chamonix
It was a bind to leave Le Grand Bornand, and I am sure to return. The morning as spent on a bike ride discovering more advantages to return. We also got the opportunity to watch the the para gliders landing.
The route taking to Chamonix Mont Blanc was on the advise of the campsite, high and twisty and it was good in a motor home so I would love to try it on my bike. The route took us through La Cluzaz over the Col des Arivas (fantastic spot) then join the main road at Flumet, passed a good site at Praz-S-Arly, continuing by many beautiful towns and villages and finally reaching one of my all time favorites at Chamonix.
Thankfully the owner had kept us a spot, which was just as well as the full sign greeted us at the gate. If you picked good sites just on views this would not be bettered, however it is also close to town and the facilities including free WiFi are of a very high standard No sooner had we arrived that we decided to stop one more night. If fact by the last day we had added more to the total and decided on a lazy day in Chamonix.
Time to get a 2 day pass for the lifts and do some high altitude exploring, first day to Aiguille du Midi 3842m and traverse to Montenvers and the second day to walk the other side of the valley between Gares De Planpraz to Chalet de la Flegere cable car stations. also the opportunity to travel in 2 more lifts to admire the views from the tops.
The weather has been fantastic at 24c at 6pm in Chamonix is about enough for me.
The high spot on the left is the top of the cable car and the one on the right is Mont Blanc...Den told me it was flat between the two and looked a nice walk??
good walking today, traverse between cable car stations at approx 2000m.
Gares De Planpraz to Chalet de la Flegere.
good lunch views
The return cable car station La Flegere comes into view
Then it was a ride on the new L'Index chair lift
The view of the cable car we had been on the day before, now on fire. A helicopter worked for the rest of the day bringing it under control.
Our lazy day in Chamonix got us to look around bars and the like from which we got the odd good shot of a church among other things.
Day 13-16 : Monday 17th August 2009 :
Camping Jungfrau,Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Miles : 160
Time : 4hrs
Moving ave : 40mph
Height : 800m
Worth it for the views and this was only on the train to Murren cable car station.
Posing with new watch at the Schilthorn ...location of a 007 movie (about 40 years ago)
The revolving restaurant at 10,000 foot , was Paul's delight
Chamonix will be revisited, however it was time to up anchor and move on. Decided on the quick route to Lauterbrunnen and make use of the good weather rather than the good roads. Well this would not go quite to plan as the front nearside brake decided to start and make horrible noises. It turned out to be a broken pad, which took 4 hours to source and change. So the idea of an early beer in the sun never happened.
Eventually getting pitched for 8pm on a busy Lauterbrunnen site just in time to watch the sun going down was as good as it gets today.
Big time tourists would started in earnest today, as we took the decision to visit the Schilthorn revolving restaurant at 10,000 ft once used in the James Bond 007 movie "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". I have to say it was fantastic day out very smart and with a good restaurant with 360° views over the space of about 30 min's.
The best shot of a base jumper we got ..these guys were unbelievable throwing themselves off the 500m rock face below.
well it the valley of the waterfalls ...spectacular
The walk in Gimmaldwald was nice...even if it was hot at 34°C
A 10 mile bike ride, a cable car to Gimmalwald to walk and back the same way was as good as it got today. The sun was shinning and the world was a beautiful place. Less touristy here and very nice for it.
Klein Scheidegg station always is a special place for me, and that's the Eiger on the photo above, notice the base jumper doing his bit (the black dot)
The train journey was excellent and took us close, but eventually we had to alight and start to walk... This was the mission to walk along the north face of the Eiger, and this was Karen wanting her bit of the North Face.
Job well done and time for a coffee
Okay another photo of the North Face, but it is nice.
I think our route was nearly like this .....except horizontal along the bottom!
Track download from GPS onto SwissTopo map
Boot camp started at 6am today as I wanted the team ready for an early train for a walk across the north wall of the Eiger. We wanted to arrive before the masses. That we managed, and a fantastic walk it turned out to be. Only 4 miles but a height gain of 850m taking us to 2320m a good walk for Paul, if not the best. Fantastic views and weather, the base jumpers providing added value. These guys have guts.........
Day 17/18/19 : Friday 21st August 2009 : Grindlewald, Switzerland
Miles : 20
Time : 40m
Moving ave : just
Height : 1030m
Last look of Lauterbrunnen campsite from the waterfall as we leave
Paul gets the chance to doddge the fountains in Interlaken
Outside Hotel Victoria Interlaken, It's always nice to look.
Sunday morning and the cloud hung over the campsite but was clear above, eventually burned off but we were long gone above it all.
View from start of Sunday's walk at Grosse Scheidegg, notice the cloud in the dip, still over part of Grindlewald
First and our first sight of the new "First Flyer" 50mph in a harness
Good fun in the flyer
Todays walk 4.2 mile and 1800 foot
What it is all about the view from my chair out side the motorhome on our last night. The wonderful Eiger.
Time to move, it was raining and we wanted to look around Interlaken so it was decided to see the area from the other side of the valley at Grindlewald. A fantastic place, campsite has wonderful views of the Eiger and the town has shops. Also moving in motorhome is not a big problem. After a few showers on the Friday it was a shame to see damp clouds on Saturday and a planned day was put on hold to the Sunday.
Sunday was a different day fantastic, up early and on the bus before 9am to Grosse Shieidegg and a walk to First to try out the "First Flyer" a aerial runway that you get strapped into and travels at 50mph over 800m. Paul thought it was fantastic. Then it was back to base in the cable car. Next problem one day short equals two long drives to get home.
Day 20 : Monday 24th August 2009 : Rudesheim am Rhein,Germany
Miles : 310
Time : 7hrs
Moving ave : 53mph
Height : 95m
The drinking water fountain at the campsite, the constant flow of water keeps water cold. Campers use it to keep their beer cold. Somehow not sure if the honesty bit would work at home.
If you look slightly to the left of the view of the Eiger you can do this one....Bye bye campsite.
Last night and a good recommendation, Rudesheim am Rhine
7am Monday and it had to happen, 600 miles away in the back and beyond and you have got till 4pm tuesday to drag the bus fully laded back to Ijumden for the ferry home. My only thoughts are to ring the ferry company and put it back a week.
Progress excellent and sited for 4pm, a good spot by the side of the Rhine accessed by a short car ferry ride. The town is excellent small enough to have a good wonder and large enough for choice. The meal in the "Drosselgasse" district was the best for a long time, even if Karen did spent twice as much on drink (fancy coffees) as she did food.........It was the last night.
Day 21 : Tuesday 25th August 2009 : Ferry Home : Holland to Newcastle
Miles : 280
Time : 6h 30m
Moving ave : 54mph
Height : 0 (I hope)
What can you say it was a boat home, okay it's better coming into the Tyne than into Dover. From a 8am start arrived after a lunch stop at 2.30pm. in the rain, as it happened we had some proper heavy rain on the way in and still covered ground in good time.
Conclusion... An excellent faultless holiday apart from one brake pad wish I had done 4 weeks so sad to be heading home.
Day
Mileage
Total
staying at
Country
cost
WiFi
Campsite
Comment
10/10
1-3
387
387
Buysscheure
France
25€
n
La Chaumiere
Fantastic pitches,pool
8
4
240
627
Troyes
France
25€
n
camping municipal
good location
6.5
5/6
270
897
Annacy
France
25€
n
camping belvedere
close to town,good showers
7
7/8
21
917
Grand Bornand
France
35€
y£
camping L'Escale
ex location ,Pitches rough
7.5
9-12
43
960
Chamonix
France
33€
y
De I'lle des Barretts
all round good sight 5* views
9
13-16
160
1120
Lauterbrunnen
Swiss
52CHF
y£
Jungfrau
ex facilities and location
8.5
17-19
20
1140
Grindlewald
Swiss
40CHF
y
Gletscherdorf
Small site well placed
8
20
310
1450
Rudesheim
Germany
27€
n
Camping am Rhein
looks fantastic , let down by minor points
7
21
280
1730
Ferry
Holland
£240
n
DFDS
good class of cabin
Country
£1 =
beer costs (grey hen £3.15)
diesel = £1.05
France
1.14€
plonk = 4.50€ Leffe(6.5%) = 6.60€ chamonix 6.80€
Low 1.00€ high 1.15€
Switzerland
1.72chf
nice pint at 6chf (£3.80) & 5.2chf (£3)
Low 1.64chf high 1.85chf
Germany
1.14€
Good Bitburger at 4€ smoe rubbish at 3€
1.13€
holland
1.14€
I wish I could find one
1.03€ (90p)
Silly fact from my mind, if a € is 0.88 of a £ and 0.5 liter is 0.88 of a pint then a pint of beer in Chamonix cost £6.80
(sad or what)