Time on my hands.

[spikerjack 46]

With nothing planned to do round the house and time on my hands I decided to go and see my number two son in Chamonix. The other half thought it a good idea (so did I). So at short notice I set off at 5am on 7 August to catch the Hollyhead ferry at Dublin. The weather looked promising.

Leaving Dublin.
View attachment 98338

Arriving at Hollyhead, the heavens opened all the way to the M25. Dried out on the M20 arrivng at the Eurotunnel.
View attachment 98339

Thanks to the information on the travel section, booked into the Village hotel/motel in Calais. Cheap rates. Tried out the Aussie theme bar and thats what it was.
Gave it a miss and went into town and found a good wee eating house in the Rue de Jacque that served up some nice G&Ts. Next day after a dam good breakfast at the motel, hit the auto route for a blast down to Chamonix. Weather was good and pulled into Laon for a bite opposite the cathedral.





more to follow.

 

[spikerjack 46]

The weather worsened for the next 200 miles or so. Met up with an italian on a moto guzzi (dominic) heading back to Florence, so we cruised together.

View attachment 98345

We got together and rode down to Chamonix, making the trip quick and enjoyable.

Arrived in Chamonix at my sons pad at 8pm and straight into town for light refreshments until 4 ish.



Tried to get into the local casino but didn't fit the dress code.



and the bouncers didn't like the camera.



more to follow.

 

[flash of the gap]

ya musta had a fair sup, yer sideways with the drink , nice pics

 

[spikerjack 46]

Next day, Saturday, invited to a barbie. Some setting. Roads and weather were dry. Great twisties.

View attachment 98349

View attachment 98350

Took a few refreshments at a picturesque bridge and watched some fellow travellers passing by.





more to follow

 

[spikerjack 46]

Sunday came and weather was scorching. I got 'panda eyes'.
Went to a lake at passy to cool off. Again roads to it where fecking brill.


man boobs and all


more to follow sometime later.

 

[spikerjack 46]

Monday and the weather was still looking good. Decided to head to Martinay in Toblerrone land and do the St Bernards Pass, go into Italy, do the small St Bernards Pass and the route de Alps.

These are of Martigny. I bought a few apricots at this few point. Not a good idea.







more to follow. G&T waiting.

 

[Mandylicious]

Great pics, looks like you had grand time

 

[spikerjack 46]

Headed over the Grand St Bernards Pass. Bit cloudy but the roads were dry and twisties again. Fanastic. Very few cars or tourists about.



The border guards were a bit glum.



On the Italian side of the pass, after a great run down saw this bridge. They can built any road here.



Got on the road down to Aosta and headed on to the petite Bernad pass. Roads were even better here, but the weather was closing in quickly,

 

[spikerjack 46]

Rode up through the rain and admired the views. Bit cloudy but never the less beautiful.

 

[spikerjack 46]

Headed onto the route de Alps on the D902 and came across this diamond coloured blue lake. The pic doesn't do it justice. Stopped off at a roadside greasy spoon for late lunch beside it.



Called it a day and got a cheap b&b in Beaufort sur doron below a church.



Next day continued the route. Every corner a different veiw. weather great.
Got a friendly local to take this of me with Mount Blanc in the background with no clouds on top.



Weather that good decided to head to Montreux and Evian to see if the waters any different. It's not.

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Sure beats workin'.

Some great pics

 

[spikerjack 46]

Headed over to Montreux, again up the road to Martigny. If you ever get the chance. This is some road. Absolutely fecking brill. Going down into Martigny, the bends are fast, tight and long. The bike stuck to the road like dogs poo to your boots (if you can understand that). Went to Evian first to try the waters. Just the same as in good auld Norn Iron. Headed over to Montreux and took a few pics of Castle Chinnon. The last time I saw this was in 1982 from the motorway and I started thinking of Deep Purple. Don't know why. Never thought I would see this place again.







Went into Montreux to earn loads of brownie points. Bought the better half something from switzerland - chocolate and a watch. Not original but better than nothing.

Went back to Chamonix for the nite, playing on the N506. Went out with son to sample the amber necter.

 

[spikerjack 46]

Was hoping the son could get off work for a road trip but no could do. Set a route to do the passes. Again up the N506. The road feels like an old friend. Headed over to Martigny, passed Sion and up to Brig. Reminded me of the M6.
The road to the Furka and Grimselpass was neat. Narrow road, loads of small villages and plenty of good quick overtakes. The scenery breathtaking.

As you look, Grimselpass is to the right, Furkapass is on the left.

View attachment 98447





The craic was that good and I rode the two passes again.

 

[spikerjack 46]

A few of the pics aren't coming out.

This is one of the two passes. (I hope)

View attachment 98453

Headed to Davos and got cheap B&B. Can't remember the name, but the locals were surporting yer man Federoe playin tennis against the Americian. When the Americian won, I was the only one cheering. I got some odd looks.Good wee eating house on the main street (Promonade). Can't remenber the name but took pic. Bit blurred but as you go with the one way system it's on the right. Good food, loads of it and cheap.



more to follow.

 

[spikerjack 46]

The two passes still hasn't come out. try once more.

 

[spikerjack 46]

Got up, looked out the window. It was pishing down rightly. Stelvio Pass was in sight. Left Davos and onto the Fluelapass towards Susch. Riding through cloud. Crap ! Like a tropical monsoon but cold. Found a short cut to Stelvio via a tunnel. Had to wait for the lights. The cars and campervans thought they were doing a GP start. No thought for bikers.

View attachment 98458

Into Italy and the border was hot. 4 wheeled vehicles were being pulled. Bikers waved through. Justice. Passing a lake with a landslide of sorts sometime in the past.

View attachment 98460

Got to Stelvio. A dream come true. I heard so much about it I felt a semi coming on. It was that good I went over it once. Stopped, did a u turn and retraced my steps. Out of this world. GREAT.

 

[spikerjack 46]

 

[spikerjack 46]

Landslide. (hope this one comes out)



On the pass, weather was turning.





Bought a few nick nacks and tried some local food. Puke.

 

[the celt]

Got to Stelvio. A dream come true. I heard so much about it I felt a semi coming on. It was that good I went over it once. Stopped, did a u turn and retraced my steps. Out of this world. GREAT.

View attachment 98461

That is one of me dream rides.....
would love to have a blast at Stelvio

Keep it coming spikerjack

 

[spikerjack 46]

Down the other side ..........................







At least here the cars pulled in to allow overtakes. When i got to the bottom, I retraced the route.