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Alpine Route Planning - 2019


EJH911

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8 hours ago, Richard Bernau said:

There is a little lesson to be learned here for anyone planning a trip - it can take a while to cover miles once in the Alps and on the tight and twisties.  Something like 40mph avg speed is not unrealistic.

Case in point, Susten-Grimsel-Furka.  If you look at "book" time per Google it's 2hrs 18.  I had a clear run today but by the time you add in time for photos, mickey, stopping to chat to the chaps that were following you down Susten, it was 3hrs 50 by the time I got to Andermatt this evening.

8 hours ago, jevvy said:

Shoulder and left leg day at the gym! You'll make a great one legged shot putter someday ;)

Right leg, too; these passes have been attacked with the vigour that only a salon-owner-spec cabrio (it's a bit more than hairdresser) with every heavy option fitted can be!

A (predictable) teaser of today's exploits, on my way to a pressing engagement at Auric Enterprises AG:

 

IMG_5724.jpg

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24 minutes ago, Dr Rock said:

It’s changed a bit over the years..

 

CD9F1B64-0B44-4039-88C9-CEA3A0501CC2.jpeg

Just a little.  I get the feeling the west side has been revised more than the east.

As a total aside, IBs are the perfect cars for this trip.  Fast enough for fun, feel to make it enjoyable and narrow...which is useful.  LHD has never really bothered me in the UK but I have enjoyed advantages from it on this trip (albeit the nature of the car matters more than the side the wheel is on)

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25 passes down (and some rather excellent linking roads, too) and I'm now sitting down for 3 days before the schlep home.  Full write-up will follow...but, for now, this is my next few days of AirBnB (lovely flat, killer view):

 

IMG_5867.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

Finally, proper notes from the trip appear.

 

In May and early June this year, a break from work became a new job with a couple of months of gardening leave and I decided that this had to be done; the one thing that had held me back from doing this was the time in which to do it so, after a chat with Mrs EJH, and a review of the calendar (go to cricket, avoid TdF, make sure I was around for other things I said I would), it was time to make plans.

 

The revisions to these plans took place in ~24 hours with some tidying of the French section and the tunnel and hotels were booked pretty quickly thereafter, leaving a plan of:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnaQ8]48461366291_88121794e0_b.jpg[/url]Screen Shot 2019-08-05 at 10.46.43 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

 

 

(It’s worthy of note that some of the points on this plan were more random waypoints than actual proper route planning).

 

I shall also apologise for the quality of photos.  Despite carrying a proper DSLR, most of these photos were taken with an iPhone for reasons of ease and speed.  They’re far from perfect but, hopefully, you get the idea!

 

 

Day 0:  Monday 15th July

Lots of dull jobs were done on this day.  The car was packed with toolkit, spares, oil top-up, maps, cleaning stuff and filled with petrol for an early start the next morning.  I also gave the outside a quick clean in the hope it made the muck easier to remove when on the move:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnzvL]48461445962_231f2daf9e_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5604 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

 

 

 

Day 1: Tuesday 16th July

Started from Greenwich ~07:15 and headed down to the tunnel.  I was lucky to be put on an earlier tunnel than booked so was on the 09:20 tunnel with just enough time to grab breakfast before heading in.  Obligatory tunnel photo:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmJCp]48461281511_06ed52124b_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5605 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

 

 

Whilst I was on the tunnel I had to make the choice of route for day 1; did I go the quick and sensible way to Baden-Baden via France…or the scenic route via France, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, France and finally into Germany.  Yep, I went the scenic route.

 

Very few photos from this day as it was an 832km day which started a little later than ideal and I lost an hour in Luxembourg (Checked my email and found that Expedia had cancelled 2 nights of accommodation due to a “system error,” which meant I was on the phone to them getting these rebooked and asking how this had happened.  They had no idea how it happened, over-charged me on the re-booking and nearly 2 weeks have now passed since the “we’ll tell you how this happened in 24-48 hours.  Needless to say, this is the end of 17 years of using Expedia…).

 

In summary:

 

Top corner of France:

Dull – knew it would be…but not fascinating

 

Belgium

Motorways better than expected.  Few bad patches but roads in this corner better than those over the border in France

 

Luxembourg

Cheap petrol and traffic jams

 

France – Germany – France – Germany 

Made some progress.  Some derestricted autobahn but was sensible-ish and kept to ~200kph as it felt right in traffic and road conditions.  

 

The start of the final push on the A4 in Eckhartswiller:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnzKZ]48461446787_9d0450c892_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5608 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

 

 

I got to the hotel late and so their garage was full and the car was left behind the garage on a quiet side street:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnA3Y]48461447772_553e2f424c_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5610 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

 

 

Which I could see from my room (in case I cared):

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmJUG]48461282456_3a08bbcbc0_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5609 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

 

 

I went for a wander around Baden-Baden:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmKab]48461283296_c94851b678_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5612 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnAej]48461448372_32bd2065cc_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5613 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnAon]48461448897_1237e26a92_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5615 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnAwo]48461449362_131ccce74d_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5616 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmKHq]48461285166_c267d6778e_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5617 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

 

And went and had some dinner:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmKQj]48461285566_9b9782d903_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5620 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

 

 

 

Day 2: Wednesday 17th July

I was out of the hotel just before 08:00 and tried to get on the B500 before much traffic did.  I was partially successful (a couple of trucks to be overtaken) and this was a pretty road that got prettier.  What really struck me was the smell of pine as I drove through some of the forested sections of the road:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmLdt]48461286851_66594e01c0_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5627 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnBfn]48461451797_af2a70409d_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5628[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

In a small change from the original plan, I had been chatting with an old colleague a few days before and so, after a quick stop at the Swiss Border for petrol and a vignette, I headed to Zurich for lunch:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn9pY]48461361526_33dc627bce_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5631 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

 

 

That night’s stop was in Davos so I decided to go and get the country count up and head to Lichtenstein for a wander.  Quite a strange country, running from the Rhine as the western border, across the valley floor and to the valley’s eastern hills for the eastern border.  I pottered from Schaan to Vaduz and up the eastern side of the valley to Gschind, Gnalp, Rotenboden, etc, with some of the roads up and down this being as steep as anything seen on the drive (so fewer pictures of this than there might otherwise be!), one way and quite precipitous.

 

Vaduz:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnBtJ]48461452572_f4afd889dd_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5633 2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert[/url], on Flickr

 

 

Schloss Vaduz:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmLF2]48461288391_fe625f9a18_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5635[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmLMQ]48461288786_328ef9fd9c_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5636[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

View up from Vaduz:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnBQv]48461453777_4232e1ec2b_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5638[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

It was then time to head over to Davos for that night’s stay:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmM6k]48461289801_476988ae76_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5639[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

No photos from Davos itself as very little to report.  I had been warned that the town as pretty quiet in summer and this proved to be something of an understatement!  Still, my hotel (Hard Rock) was very comfortable and good value (as well it might be with only ~20 rooms occupied) although the rooftop bar was a little too quiet.

 

 

 

Day 3: Thursday 18th July

This was the first day of passes with quite a packed schedule,

 

 

Julier Pass

The first pass of the day was the Fluela Pass which leads out of Davos to the south east.  This was pretty and open with a gentle climb to the summit and then sweeping and open(ish) down to Susch and Zernez. Despite the relatively early start, there were a number of other cars out on the pass and good, sensible, progress was made.

 

Looking back to Davos:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmMc7]48461290136_7852ab4c78_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5643[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Across the top:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmMjb]48461290546_d30ce53e25_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5644[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Heading down to Susch:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnCoe]48461455617_472844c93d_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5646[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

The next road (not a pass but worthy of mention) was the B28 from Zernez – Umbrail Pass.  This was added as it got between 2 points but was a real surprise as it was an absolute peach of a road.  Open, sweeping, wonderful views and some incredibly fragrant pine forests:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnCwF]48461456107_a63b17d6c5_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5648[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn9xt]48461361961_6ab3b65aed_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5649[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Umbrail Pass (North - South)

I was lucky; this pass was basically deserted.  The bottom of the pass is very tight (basically single lane) and would be less than fun with oncoming traffic:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmMN2]48461292161_abfa4a8317_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5651[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Above the treeline it opened out a little before a series of hairpins.  Incredible views and I was very fortunate that the VW California in front of me pulled in to let me past:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmMYh]48461292756_fe19c9e602_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5652[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnCVS]48461457452_9c99afe15d_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5654[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

 

Stelvio Pass (East Side)

The Umbrail Pass leads to the middle of the Stelvio Pass and so I headed east and up to the summit for a coffee.  Between Umbrail and the top of Stelvio:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQna2u]48461363586_68c46f44b4_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5659[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnDoA]48461459002_963ccee350_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5660[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmNG1]48461295176_52c0c55ba2_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5661[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmNNo]48461295546_b88bfb0aaf_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5662[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

I then got on with heading down the east side.  Stelvio photo from the big book of clichés:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn9LK]48461362731_4cc7baf9b0_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5656[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmNmm]48461294036_645a5cc850_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5657[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Having driven down it, I saw a break in the traffic and so did a quick turn in a hotel car park to head back up again, with nothing slow in front of me.  A pass to be attacked, rather than enjoyed and, it may sound churlish to say, I now think of it as, “done,” and would re-do other passes in preference.

 

 

 

Stelvio (West)

Stelvio is very much a pass of 2 halves as the west, whilst lacking the drama of the east, is totally different and (to my eyes) more beautiful and a lot more fun to be had:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnDSG]48461460632_f0ccbb4553_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5663[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

At this point, you may notice a pattern that the more fun a road is, the fewer pictures there are.  To make up for this disappointment, please see a photo of some Stelvio on Stelvio action:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmPce]48461296871_7c9f34aeb4_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5666[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

 

Foscagno Pass

This was a pass I chose as a linking pass as opposed to one that I had set out to do.  My second favourite of the day as it was quick and sweeping with open and enjoyable hairpins (as opposed to the v tight ones on the eastern side of Stelvio).

The path crests with a customs post into the province of Livingo (I wondered what the customs post was and a quick Google told me that the region was made duty-free as it was quite a poor mountainous region and so the DF status would encourage inward investment) and then it’s slower but pretty across the top and down into Livigno itself:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQna7E]48461363886_1afa17b28d_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5668[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

I stopped in Livigno for lunch (Birrificio Livigno – about the first place I found as I was hungry…but had a very nice pizza) and went for a quick potter around before moving on.

 

If you drive through Livigno, petrol is cheap.  €1 a litre cheap.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anywhere with a working 98 pump and so no cheap petrol for me.

 

 

 

Passo del Bernina (northern half)

This was a pass to link me into St Moritz.  No photos from this as a quicker pass…and I was a little distracted by a hailstorm and looking for somewhere to pull over and put the roof up.

 

 

 

St Moritz

I stopped to stretch my legs and have a wander around the shops.  It must be the last place in Europe that anyone street parks a DB6…and one that is clearly used:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmPmn]48461297401_0f90267852_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5671[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnafv]48461364341_ab17ac9e31_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5672[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Julier Pass

This was my favourite pass of the first day and at 17:00, it had no traffic on it.  

Wide and open on the eastern side (sort of like the highlands at 250% through a photocopier) and then a series of hairpins down the western side.  I tucked in behind a local chap in a rather worn Volvo V40 estate that clearly knew the road and drove it often.  Wide and sweeping hairpins down and, with the viability afforded, it meant that both sides of the (empty) road could be used.  An absolutely gorgeous road. 

 

The one photo I have is from the top, looking East:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnZW4]48461528107_40b5e88983_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5673[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

As I’m a child, I built much of my route to make sure I visited the town of Cunter.  After initially settling for this photo:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmPAR]48461298241_f99e2f03a8_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5674[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

I managed to get this, slightly better, one:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmPNQ]48461298936_71d4e1e394_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5676[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

The stop for this night was Lenzerheide.  I stayed in the Revier Mountain Lodge (somewhere I chose almost at random) which is an odd pre-fab pod sort of hotel.  Very comfortable stay with the restaurant and bar being very pleasant (and not heinously expensive for Switzerland) and a lovely view to wake up to the next morning:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnEPX]48461463837_66860c4e3f_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5681[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

 

 

Day 4:  Friday 18th July

The day was always going to start with a drive to Thusis but I spent a little time here, getting petrol after a wild goose chase the night before looking for 98 north of Lenzerheide; if your car will only take 98, it’s worth planning accordingly in the hills as even Shell in Thusis was 95 and diesel only.

 

From here I took the old route 13 south – really cool – lots of semi-tunnels / avalanches shelters:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmQ7R]48461299981_41174a901a_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5683[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnF7A]48461464802_1873b1daef_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5684[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnFfX]48461465287_67e19145bb_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5685[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmQBD]48461301651_fa7b6ab08c_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5686[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

With some nice fast open hairpin climbs just south of Andeer.  There were picture-postcard “Swiss” views on valley floors; valley with vertical sides:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnFAM]48461466437_a8188c4ca5_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5687[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

The road crosses the A13 numerous times and is tight, narrow and twisting…and faster than the A13 in many parts (well, I was moving faster than the traffic on the A13)

 

 

 

San Bernadino Pass (N-S)

Quite tight at the bottom but opens out once one gets over the treeline:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmR5c]48461303191_9b54dccee5_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5690[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

I stopped for coffee at the top and saw a couple of S-PR registered 718 GTSs (my cynical side suggesting that the buyers for these cars is Porsche themselves…):  

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmR5c]48461303191_9b54dccee5_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5690[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmRef]48461303716_e9724ddc10_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5691[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmRre]48461304411_ce31ef8d72_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5692[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnGt3]48461469352_fade91740e_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5693[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmRMj]48461305576_4b2e66efbd_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5694[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

The south side is quite simply epic; similar in concept to Julierpass as the hairpins are all wide and open, perhaps without quite the same sightlines as Julier.  Having been so remiss in taking photos of the Julier, I didn’t make this mistake again:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmRV5]48461306026_95272c4d25_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5695[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

 

E13 E25 E2

The next bit of the journey necessitated Swiss motorways as the choice was either:

 

- All motorway or

- Motorway to Biasca, cross country from there and the Overlap Pass down to Andermatt.

 

With 3 more passes to do that afternoon, the roof went up, the AC went on and I picked up the motorway to Airolo.  Worthy of note that the E13 is actually very scenic and has it’s own wide sweepers.  On ay other trip, this would be a v scenic road; sadly it suffers by comparison here.

 

Stopped for a comfort rear I saw the quite bizarre sight of a cow being lifted by helicopter (very poor photo as I was in the middle of chatting with a German chap about his E30 M3):

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnGLH]48461470377_aad5b93861_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5697[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

 

Gottard Tunnel

chris, this was dull.  17km of nothing…after the queue to get in.  Cruise control was very useful to numb the tedium of this…as was Waze which took me on a merry dance on the way to the tunnel’s southern entrance…but avoided an awful lot of traffic for me!

 

 

 

Susten Pass

I had a good feeling about this when I left Wassen and wen through the tunnels and semi-tunnels, leading to the start of the pass.  Can be taken quickly with comfort as one is running up the RHS of the valley with great sightlines, several corners ahead.

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnGUJ]48461470842_16031f79a4_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5698[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnH4b]48461471332_216c810027_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5699[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnHcT]48461471837_2df96aaaae_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5702[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnHmk]48461472327_b9e1382fa6_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5703[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnHtu]48461472742_839baa4b51_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5704[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnHCT]48461473287_f98a2f8582_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5705[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Once one has crested the pass, the western side is more wide open sweepers – a truly lovely road.  I was lucky to have a virtually clear run on this.

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnHSk]48461474067_476b4e402b_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5706[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

 

Grimsel Pass

A totally different pass and an utterly spectacular piece of road.  The bottom of this feels like it’s a very fast country road, albeit with increasing elevation and then, as one goes through the trees (or as they thin) it feels more like a pass:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnaBH]48461365571_61d025262f_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5707[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnaPg]48461366241_b130ebd420_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5708[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

The climb to the reservoirs takes much of the time

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo1ut]48461529987_95917d1ecd_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5709[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnb6Z]48461367211_0519726a07_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5710[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmTaQ]48461310246_f6f67fd868_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5711[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmTgX]48461310601_d267744421_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5712[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnJen]48461475287_ff5a0c34ed_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5713[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

            

Top of the pass:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnJmM]48461475717_bf958eec96_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5714[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnJvz]48461476227_0a34ac4385_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5715[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

The pass the falls down to the SE for the Furka (Grimsel in foreground and Furka in background):

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmTVx]48461312781_034a40d06d_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5718[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

 

Furka Pass

Least enjoyable of the three but one can mutter that one is on one’s way to a pressing engagement at Auric Enterprises AG and mutter, “double blowout,” in an appalling Sean Connery voice:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmU3S]48461313206_806abbf490_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5719[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

The west side is more open and can be attacked at similar speed to the Susten (albeit not quite as quickly as the Grimsel):

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnJUW]48461477582_56c6ced4a4_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5720[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnK79]48461478232_e2a5ade031_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5721[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmUy1]48461314896_762c231111_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5722[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnKqL]48461479312_6fe73cfe0b_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5723[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmUUX]48461316111_bf0bd3fe29_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5724[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

The east side is narrow and tight and thus harder work; not helped by being the last segment of the day that I had to do.

 

Friday night was spent in Andermatt.  Little to report as not much is open after 18:45 when I arrived…but it was conveniently located for this day’s passes and the next and the Radisson was very comfortable (if not entirely convenient for the town).

 

 

 

Day 5: Saturday 19th July

Saturday and passes aren’t ideal as the risk of delays increase at weekends.  As such, I was through reception, the car park and out on the road at 08:10 to beat the cyclists…and it worked!

 

 

Gottard Pass

The lower portion of this from the north is tarmac:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmV4p]48461316601_7221f62f94_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5731[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnKQD]48461480697_7b5dc0e108_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5732[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

But as one heads up, one has the choice of picking up the older cobbled pass:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnKY4]48461481127_670dc3b748_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5733[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

The summit:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnbbo]48461367466_979fe86e53_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5735[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

This was very pretty, very cobbled (although smoother than some of the French passes) and it was interesting to look over to the more modern pass, too:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnLar]48461481787_ab5a2bb397_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5737[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnLi7]48461482232_3d5081884e_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5738[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmVMU]48461319066_ebd4c64374_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5739[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmVSJ]48461319346_9c949533c0_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5740[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmW4R]48461319991_b08a4cc93f_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5741[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Once into Airolo, it was time to head to Bedretto for the start of the next pass.  Very pretty road running SW through a valley to the start of this.  

 

 

 

Nufenenstrasse

Can’t comment too much on the eastern side of this as shrouded in cloud and didn’t see a thing:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmW9A]48461320266_c532d6f13a_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5743[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmWek]48461320541_77decb8d09_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5744[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

The western side was more open and had dramatic views down the valley:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnM5x]48461484867_e8d871be9e_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5746[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

It was now time to take myself over to the south east of Switzerland for the day’s final 2 passes.  This necessitated the Furka Strasse to Brig which was pretty, open but in no way quick.  I stopped to take a picture of a road sign my childish side found amusing:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmWAn]48461321761_e4f8b1e962_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5747[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

It was then time for A road and Motorway to Martigny where I thought I would stop for lunch.  This was as dramatic as motorway gets with sensational mountain views to die for.  When wandering around Martigny, I took this photo as the Swiss do seem to have an eclectic car taste and this looked remarkably out of place:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnbna]48461368091_e579acd227_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5751[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

 

Grand St Bernard Pass

It was much hotter in Martigny than it had been in the central / east parts of Switzerland (was it the day or just the natural climate?) and it was a quick climb up before the tunnel and the pass split:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo1Z1]48461531642_6aa19e0a36_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5752[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnbzQ]48461368826_9146bab0ab_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5753[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnMrz]48461486087_22cabc0994_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5754[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Up to the summit:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnMCg]48461486707_b17a352b95_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5755[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnMMz]48461487247_0049c89e27_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5756[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

And into Italy:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmXeS]48461323936_c03f225d35_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5757[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQncdZ]48461370981_f627da1f25_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5758[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

In summary, the Swiss side was more technical where Italian side was longer and sweeping.

 

This took me down to Aosta and then I headed west and north west for the next pass.

 

 

Petit St Bernard Pass

I have done this pass before, albeit the other way around from France to Italy.

 

This was the worst pass of the day and I’m not sure whether this is this fundamental or was I just tired.  It was tight on Italian side and lots of cyclists (Saturday afternoon had to fall somewhere).  On the French side, the road is truly awful; the cobbles on the Gottard were probably smoother.

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnN4B]48461488177_93bab71f1f_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5759[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnNcx]48461488637_1bf208f5d9_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5760[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmXE1]48461325336_c03db106d9_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5761[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnNra]48461489427_12f3dff9d7_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5762[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnNyE]48461489862_5dfa686c29_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5763[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Looking down to Bourg Saint Maurice:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnNFD]48461490267_ff8af30602_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5764[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmY9c]48461326971_bdeb620570_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5765[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

I was spending the night in Val D’Isere which I know from skiing (I’m dreadful but enjoy it – at 27, I learned too late not to be aware of physics and what I could break if it goes wrong) and which is very much open in summer.  After parking the car in the hotel’s bike park (didn’t have the clearance for the car park), it was time for a wander.

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQncod]48461371516_f54f3874af_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5767[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmYhi]48461327441_c14421f1ce_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5768[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

Always nice to see the avalanche risk is low:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo31Q]48461535112_1ee2e09026_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5769[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQncxr]48461372051_c4b2e312aa_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5770[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

Mmmm.  Mountain beer:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnP4x]48461491537_81206fccd5_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5774[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

Fine dining (but they have always done a great pizza):

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmYvV]48461328231_6227bdb0da_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5776[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnPkp]48461492457_baa94997d0_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5777[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

The wander continued:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnPs3]48461492842_d3270c0d65_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5778[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

I’m sure it’ll buff out:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmYXB]48461329721_6fef226739_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5782[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Day 6: Sunday 20th July

After another early start to beat the cyclists, I had a potter around Val D’Isere to get the car’s oil up to temp and took a quick photo:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmZ9o]48461330346_459abc5f99_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5785[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

It was then time for the Col d’Iseran which had rough tarmac (at the bottom – maybe this is because they’re under snow / used as ski runs for so much of the year) but great views of Val D’isere:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmZjD]48461330941_d561c7c368_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5786[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmZw7]48461331606_c83a8e5acd_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5787[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnQhE]48461495662_7800281561_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5788[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQmZNE]48461332566_e8400e71c8_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5789[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

And on the other side:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnQBs]48461496752_587ecc9080_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5790[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn1dx]48461333951_0f2f28c0e8_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5791[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn1uj]48461334866_af2d1aabb7_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5792[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

It was then on to Lanslevillard for the next pass,

 

 

Col du Mont Cenis

This was a really, really nice road, climbing the southern side of a valley:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnReE]48461498852_2bebc3b820_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5793[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo3hg]48461536007_bff8e26ecb_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5794[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn1L6]48461335781_a80de15774_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5795[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Along the reservoir:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn1Vp]48461336321_0e4abfd987_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5796[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnRDx]48461500237_e8dba6ae98_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5797[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo3nB]48461536317_24435250a8_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5798[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo3qT]48461536507_e6df629258_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5799[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

and then down behind the reservoir dam on the south into Italy.  The road quality was noticeably better in Italy.

 

 

 

Motorway & Tunnel

It was then onto the E70 which was largely contraflow (are they checking their bridges after Genoa?) but at least Italian service station espresso is excellent.  

 

I pulled up to the Frejus tunnel and passed them my card for the toll…and was rather annoyed to be given a receipt for ~€45, more than I paid for the Swiss Vignette.  Still, at least this annoyance distracted me during another long tunnel.

 

 

Col du Télégraphe

As I was doing this on a Sunday, this was covered in cyclists with very limited areas to overtake.  I can’t tell if it would be normally worthwhile.

 

Col du Gallibier

This was also busy (Sunday in July) open at bottom and then some precipitous switchbacks as you head up.   As with other French passes, maybe they would be more enjoyable with barriers (or maybe I was soft and spoiled after Switzerland):

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQncV5]48461373306_3c71fe359e_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5801[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo3Eq]48461537292_fc28d73e9f_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5802[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo3LN]48461537662_55e97f3448_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5803[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQndhN]48461374566_c2f111d075_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5804[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo46L]48461538762_41b7467d35_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5805[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo4eb]48461539192_c86abed2f9_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5806[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQndEM]48461375841_e77bf6c2a8_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5807[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQndLJ]48461376186_2101a98e88_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5808[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo4wq]48461540192_890b6ca064_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5809[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

In summary, were I to repeat the journey, I would miss out the tunnel, Col du Télégraphe and Col du Gallibier and go directly from Susa to Briançon…especially at a weekend.

 

 

The next two passes were some of the later additions to the plan and I’m very glad I added these. 

 

 

 

Col d’Izouard

This is wide open and fast hairpins below the trees:  

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnRRB]48461500937_715468ee57_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5812[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn2tD]48461338191_62ec6ae22e_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5813[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnSea]48461502187_0667d7542c_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5815[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

And, above the treeline, similarly wide open to the summit:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnSoZ]48461502757_54508b5386_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5816[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

The way down starts off wide but there are some narrow sections…without barriers.  These bits not fun…but overall well worth it.  

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn2Sj]48461339506_b53b846968_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5817[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn34g]48461340141_daaeb19ff4_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5818[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn3dV]48461340701_acf9954c5f_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5819[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn3qJ]48461341386_4e979ab3ea_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5820[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Gorge on the way to Guillestre is really dramatic (road cut into its south side):

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn3AJ]48461341966_2319c17102_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5821[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Col du Vars

This was my favourite road of the day and fast, fast, fast.  Really wide hairpins (which one can take at speed) opening up to longe stretches at ~1,500m.  

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn3Nx]48461342651_a1d242b6c8_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5823[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnTGF]48461507147_6265120ef7_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5824[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnTTn]48461507767_4f5106dcaf_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5826[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Then get to the towns (slows down) and speeds up again to the top.  

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo4Fd]48461540702_fe19bfa313_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5827[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

Wide sweeping hairpins all the way down to and then onto Jausiers.for the Col de la Bonnette the next day.

 

 

Strange hotel, nice view:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnU7P]48461508547_59fa60c5af_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5829[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn4xd]48461345126_76d18675e4_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5833[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

 

Day 7: Monday 21st July

 

Col de la Bonette

I stayed at the very start of the northern side of this so I could make an early start.  The road climbs with open, sweeping, hairpins and then opened out further above the treeline:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnUnP]48461509417_4a718da2cf_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5835[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnUwS]48461509942_6fcee9e046_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5836[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnUDL]48461510342_93a3323846_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5837[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn57z]48461347061_6d39cadf34_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5838[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn5gc]48461347561_5c633e8ad4_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5839[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnV1s]48461511542_dd22c82cb9_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5840[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn5tX]48461348301_87ee6e9066_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5841[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnVff]48461512342_9f54e6d79e_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5842[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

I went around the Cime de Bonette, too…but if you do this, my counsel would be to go clockwise and not ACW as I did as quite, well, open with a huge drop on the outside:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnVoB]48461512827_9b1f831f04_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5843[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn5Ra]48461349531_8a528174f9_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5844[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnVDB]48461513697_3b7695db78_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5845[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

View from the descent across to the Cime de Bonette:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnVMT]48461514177_2efdb2b7fd_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5846[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Run down a bit less fun at the top as v large drops with no barriers (I’m a wuss) but then closed up into nice sweeping corners again:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnVUM]48461514577_cb22a3d2d2_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5847[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

An honourable mention goes to the chap in a van towing an orange Renault 5 Turbo 2 rally car, at some speed, over this pass.

 

The M2205 also deserves mention as this was a lovely, fast and sweeping road…with minimal traffic at 09:45 on a Monday morning (went about 25 miles with no other cars on the road).

 

It was then time for the final 2 passes of the trip:

 

 

 

Col de Vence

Route Gentelly

I might sound a little spoiled in saying this but my notes from the day were that these were "Nice enough roads.  Scenic…but maybe not worth driving to do specifically (although on my way).”  On reflection on a gloomy day in London, these are well worth driving if you’re in the area and were remarkably quiet:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn6AM]48461352061_0098f086c2_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5851[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn6M3]48461352656_7fd38c8631_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5853[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnWyC]48461516772_03afd886ff_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5854[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnWFG]48461517182_d002d2335b_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5855[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn7fH]48461354261_ed8addd7e6_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5856[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

The road back down to the coast (D6?) was also rather enjoyable.

 

 

It was then time to head to Eze for 3 nights where I had booked an AirBnB with this (quite good) view (for a really reasonable price):

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnXaH]48461518807_8958abb372_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5867[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

That evening, it was time to get the rather “lived in,” car a little cleaner:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQne7t]48461377331_20e98ed85e_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5869[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

And if one has to dry a car, one may as well have a nice view:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnecJ]48461377636_defa46d6c6_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5870[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnegG]48461377866_62140d99e4_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5871[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

A quick potter around Cap Ferrat:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn7E5]48461355616_5f68ad7723_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5872[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnXpk]48461519597_9bdcabac97_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5873[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

And Monday was over.

 

 

The next days were pottering:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnXuk]48461519887_712b4adb9d_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5877[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnXC6]48461520337_4067174c83_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5886[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn86L]48461357106_d4c019cc62_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5890[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn8t4]48461358341_b5942aa5cf_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5900[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

And I did take some photos on the rock in MC with the proper camera:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnbHA]48461369276_c356610679_k.jpg[/url]DSC_5750[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo2mt]48461532887_ad3b0ab4a5_k.jpg[/url]DSC_5746[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnbVV]48461369991_bf31025437_k.jpg[/url]DSC_5745[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnbZx]48461370201_bb67b7d54f_k.jpg[/url]DSC_5742[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo2DY]48461533902_7516cc2866_k.jpg[/url]DSC_5741[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

 

Monaco is one of the few places that an F40:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnYbA]48461522222_d19f238d5e_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5906[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

Can be so comprehensively upstaged:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn8B5]48461358806_5bc88234a2_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5908[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

 

Thursday 25th July

Soon it was time for the long journey home.  After ~34 degrees in the SoF, it was a little shock to come inland and see the temperature climb to ~42 for most of the day’s rive back.  My travel companions (Lionel & Shelley) were most unimpressed (despite their expressions):

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn8TY]48461359786_dca23e96b5_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5924[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

Overnight stop in Beaune where 39 degrees at 20:00 was quite hellish.  Mercifully my hotel had very powerful AC.

 

 

Friday 26th July

On the road just after 07:00 to try and beat the heat.  This meant the roads were quite quiet:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn92U]48461360246_f343acf58c_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5927[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

And I made sure I had provisions for miles and heat:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnYJ9]48461524052_2b1691536c_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5928[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

After a quick stop at the old pits in Reims:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQn9fV]48461361001_2e59655fd3_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5931[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQo59H]48461542297_52354814b5_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5932[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnzjo]48461445302_cd9fe26966_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5933[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnzd1]48461444932_196c0fd909_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5934[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnz4Z]48461444467_a0cbc935c7_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5937[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

It was time to head for the tunnel.

 

After the short hop through the south east (lowlights being roadworks on the M20 that never seem to end and dismal UK lane discipline), I was home, 4,637km after setting off:

 

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2gQnyWV]48461444057_ab95d1f8e3_k.jpg[/url]IMG_5942[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183169550@N03/]Kanye Nigel DeHerbert, on Flickr

 

 

 

If you have made it this far through this (possibly turgid & featureless) tome, the only guidance I can give is that if you’re ever pondering doing a trip of this type and have the time to do so, grasp it with both hands.  I came back having felt like I had been away for months and am now pondering where to go next / how to improve this route for the next time as there will have to be a next time!

 

 

Postscript:

If you’re planning on doing this in an older car / 911 / anything without PAS, be prepared.  I have owned the Salon-owner spec 911 for 13 years and done a good few miles in it in that time…but after the first couple of days of the passes my shoulders were aching from the steering load. 

 

 

 

 

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Great write up good to see you had a great time :signs85:

I too had an incident with Expedia, where they cancelled a flight I had booked and couldn’t help me as it was with a budget airline (Air Lingus). I did get it sorted by calling the airline but I’m not impressed with Expedia either.

Wrt to the trip - iPhones are so useful, aren’t they? One hand, while driving, photo/film taken. 

Stelvio is one of those passes that you do to tick off, but it isn’t one of my repeat passes, unlike Fluela or Julier passes... and the Susten is very different later in the summer when there are loads of bikers everywhere...:smiley_1140: 

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28 minutes ago, EJH911 said:

I was home, 4,637km after setting off

Looks like you created a whole bunch of great memories during those four and a half thousand kilometres!

28 minutes ago, EJH911 said:

after the first couple of days of the passes my shoulders were aching from the steering load.

People pay (in both ££ and pain) to be in a gym to do such a great workout, you got to do it while having fun instead ;) 

Thanks for posting.

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1 hour ago, Dr Rock said:

Great write up good to see you had a great time :signs85:

I too had an incident with Expedia, where they cancelled a flight I had booked and couldn’t help me as it was with a budget airline (Air Lingus). I did get it sorted by calling the airline but I’m not impressed with Expedia either.

Wrt to the trip - iPhones are so useful, aren’t they? One hand, while driving, photo/film taken. 

Stelvio is one of those passes that you do to tick off, but it isn’t one of my repeat passes, unlike Fluela or Julier passes... and the Susten is very different later in the summer when there are loads of bikers everywhere...:smiley_1140: 

It was the "pull in, grab phone, take photo," approach a lot of the time...and iPhones do that awfully well now.

 

Stelvio.  I knew it wasn't the be-all, end-all before I went...and I'm glad I went...and I was overtaking bikes on the way up...but it's *just* so meh compared to so many of the other passes.  I'm not sure I am comfortable saying my favourites per se but Julierpass and Col du Vars were really up there for me.

I also have to look through the links to the various photographers to see if any of them got photos where I'm not gurning too badly.

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1 hour ago, jevvy said:

Looks like you created a whole bunch of great memories during those four and a half thousand kilometres!

People pay (in both ££ and pain) to be in a gym to do such a great workout, you got to do it while having fun instead ;) 

Thanks for posting.

The car's running a lot better for the miles / kms as well.  It always runs a bit better after a spirited drive...but it's like a different engine to when it went.  I realised things might have changed when I came down to the SoF as it was the first time in days I had spent much time below 1,500+ metres.

I have never been particularly precious about miles and this has been focused after this trip.  These cars run SO much better when they're properly used (lots of good fuel, lots of WOT) and they're perfect for passes (narrow, quick enough, fun at and above sensible speeds) I am determined to use the car an awful lot more.

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Great write up - thank you. 👍

Like Fraser, I fully agree with your assessment of the good and bad bits - Stelvio is one you do just because and the traffic and cyclists at weekends and on some passes do necessitate a different approach.  And the recommendation for people to take the opportunity and get a big Alps roadtrip under their belts is one I fully endorse.  Yes, its selfish if you have family etc, but a week is enough to cover a lot of ground.  Heck, if you are determined, you can cover quite a lot in a 4 day weekend.

Your DB6 in Davos comment reminded me of a story of my own.  Staying with friends in Crans Montana, I heard a very exotic V12 start up every afternoon and disappear down the road from a house maybe 100m away.  On day 2, I ran through neighbouring properties and gardens to see what it was and saw a Muira vanishing down the road.  On its return I introduced myself to the owner (Italian dude about 60 yrs old), excused my nosiness and asked to have a look around.  Orange, Muira SV, unrestored, parked on the lawn outside his chalet.  He drove it to the golf club every afternoon to have a couple of drinks before returning home.  Only in Switzerland. 

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3 hours ago, Richard Bernau said:

Great write up - thank you. 👍

Like Fraser, I fully agree with your assessment of the good and bad bits - Stelvio is one you do just because and the traffic and cyclists at weekends and on some passes do necessitate a different approach.  And the recommendation for people to take the opportunity and get a big Alps roadtrip under their belts is one I fully endorse.  Yes, its selfish if you have family etc, but a week is enough to cover a lot of ground.  Heck, if you are determined, you can cover quite a lot in a 4 day weekend.

Your DB6 in Davos comment reminded me of a story of my own.  Staying with friends in Crans Montana, I heard a very exotic V12 start up every afternoon and disappear down the road from a house maybe 100m away.  On day 2, I ran through neighbouring properties and gardens to see what it was and saw a Muira vanishing down the road.  On its return I introduced myself to the owner (Italian dude about 60 yrs old), excused my nosiness and asked to have a look around.  Orange, Muira SV, unrestored, parked on the lawn outside his chalet.  He drove it to the golf club every afternoon to have a couple of drinks before returning home.  Only in Switzerland. 

I appreciate that it's easy for me to say this (no children, currently unburdened by employment..until my return to E14 next week...) but these are trips that are well worth doing.  They're trips that also leave a feeling of being away for months longer than the trip actually was.  One could make the trip (and the return journey) much easier than mine by not going as far south as I did, too.

The Miura SV sounds very, very cool...and something more likely to happen in CH than virtually anywhere else!

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