So, it was that time of year again when some of us from N.Ireland head off on an annual trip, this year it was to be the Alps, with a few other destinatiions thrown in on the outward & return journey.
Saturday 1st September saw Heff, Steve, Allan & Mal meet at the McDonalds in Newry at 08.30 for a 240 mile run to Cork for the Cork/Roscoff overnight ferry. A couple of stops including McDonalds at Cashel where we were able to get a nice supply of the milk sachets that would come in handy for later on our travels, and a final stop just before the port to top up our tanks and we were at the fery terminal waiting to board the Brittany Ferry Pont-Aven.
Destination Alps ( and some other places along the way)
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Re: Destination Alps ( and some other places along the way)
For a ferry the Pont-Aven is an impressive ship, large, modern with good facalities.. The ship left on time (around 4.30 from memory) and the weather was warm & sunny as we set left the Irish coastline behind us for 13 days.
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Re: Destination Alps ( and some other places along the way)
Isn't it great that Mcdonalds provide this public service? Free milk, sachets of sugar and straws. You can even take a dump.
Just be sure not to buy any of the 'food'.
Just be sure not to buy any of the 'food'.
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Re: Destination Alps ( and some other places along the way)
Indeed .We like our McD's coffee very milky
Sunday the 2nd and we arrived at Roscoff well rested & fed. The ferry docked on time at 07.30, however the motorbikes on our deck did not get off untl 08.30. We soon gof past the passport control and we were on our way. I was using my Tom tom satnav and anybody that knows me will know I dont usually use sat navs so it was to be a steep learning curve for me. With the assistance of Allan we had loaded our satnavs with daily routes, so we had chosen to travel on non toll roads on our first day. We had about 350 miles to get to our first stop for the night which was to be in Mal's house in Pressac. We were lucky it was a Sunday because it was slow going mainly because of the numerous French villages and speed restrictions, whilst French villages are very nice, it would have been good to make a bit more progress. However the weather remained warmand sunny along the way.
Sunday the 2nd and we arrived at Roscoff well rested & fed. The ferry docked on time at 07.30, however the motorbikes on our deck did not get off untl 08.30. We soon gof past the passport control and we were on our way. I was using my Tom tom satnav and anybody that knows me will know I dont usually use sat navs so it was to be a steep learning curve for me. With the assistance of Allan we had loaded our satnavs with daily routes, so we had chosen to travel on non toll roads on our first day. We had about 350 miles to get to our first stop for the night which was to be in Mal's house in Pressac. We were lucky it was a Sunday because it was slow going mainly because of the numerous French villages and speed restrictions, whilst French villages are very nice, it would have been good to make a bit more progress. However the weather remained warmand sunny along the way.
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Re: Destination Alps ( and some other places along the way)
As we neared Prissac, Mal took the lead and took us along the D950 running alongside the La Creuse River, a very nice road passing through some lovely scenry. We stopped at the impressive Viaduct at La Blanc.
Before rolling into Prissac around 5.30. Mal prepped us a great meal of paella and chips, washed down with local wine and some beer.
Prissac is a lovely village, and Mal took us for a wee walk around after tea.
Back to the house and we setled into a bit of tv with more wine and beer. A reasonable early night as we would be aiming to leave fairly early for our onward journey to the Vercors region, roughly anoher 300 miles.
Hopefully continue tomorrow.
Before rolling into Prissac around 5.30. Mal prepped us a great meal of paella and chips, washed down with local wine and some beer.
Prissac is a lovely village, and Mal took us for a wee walk around after tea.
Back to the house and we setled into a bit of tv with more wine and beer. A reasonable early night as we would be aiming to leave fairly early for our onward journey to the Vercors region, roughly anoher 300 miles.
Hopefully continue tomorrow.
Last edited by Flintlock on Thu May 13, 2021 1:10 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Destination Alps ( and some other places along the way)
Monday the 3rd, once again a warm sunny day & I took myself across the road to the local. Patisserie and using my best pigeon French ordered some freshly baked croissants and pan eu chocolates - the staff must have had a right laugh after i left. So after our breakfast we said goodbye to Mal (who was staying in Prissac for a week) and continued on our journey. Again we avoided motorways, riding through the French countryside, the further east we travelled the scenery and roads seemed to get better. The usual stops along the way for fuel, water & food.
Last edited by Flintlock on Thu May 13, 2021 1:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Destination Alps ( and some other places along the way)
A few hours later and we could see the start of the Vercors in the distance
We had basicially headed towards Lyon, round the southern end of the city, then headed south aiming for Saint-Nazaire-en-Royans, arriving around 6pm, an impressive town with houses perched on top of a cliff overlooking a river, our campsite - the only one i booked for the trip was located a couple of miles beyond the town - Camping Pont de Manne. They were expecting us and.we were led to our accommodation for the night.
Basic, but very clean & comfortable. A very nice site located alongside a nice river
We had basicially headed towards Lyon, round the southern end of the city, then headed south aiming for Saint-Nazaire-en-Royans, arriving around 6pm, an impressive town with houses perched on top of a cliff overlooking a river, our campsite - the only one i booked for the trip was located a couple of miles beyond the town - Camping Pont de Manne. They were expecting us and.we were led to our accommodation for the night.
Basic, but very clean & comfortable. A very nice site located alongside a nice river
Last edited by Flintlock on Thu Oct 05, 2023 9:08 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Destination Alps ( and some other places along the way)
The campsite had a licienced resturant so a meal was ordered washed down with wine, very welcome after a day's riding.
A quick spot of fishing on the river, but nothing caught, so back to the accommodation for more wine and playing cards before bed.
Tomorrow we would continue south through the Vercors.
A quick spot of fishing on the river, but nothing caught, so back to the accommodation for more wine and playing cards before bed.
Tomorrow we would continue south through the Vercors.
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Re: Destination Alps ( and some other places along the way)
Tuesday the 4th. We were up and on the road for around 08.30, as soon as we left the campsite we were unto fantastic roads surrounded by dramatic scenry, a mixture of gorges, rivers, mountains and woodland, again, we were lucky as it was another warm sunny day, in addition to this traffic was very light, a good time of the year to be here as I imagine, like the Alps this region would be busy with holiday traffic.
Anyway as mentioned we were heading south with our destination at the end of the day being. St Andre Les Alps, a great day's riding, we were here for a day, but it is a region that would justify a trip all on its own.
Some pictures from the day
Anyway as mentioned we were heading south with our destination at the end of the day being. St Andre Les Alps, a great day's riding, we were here for a day, but it is a region that would justify a trip all on its own.
Some pictures from the day