We're all home safe & well.The Alps, Black Forest & Ardennes.The Alps

We left St Martin Vesubie heading north west, unfortunately the col de la Bonette was closed due to heavy snow, so we took the Col de la Cayolle instead to Barcelonnette.

Following the roads north we took the Col de Vars then the Col d'Izoard to Briancon where we spent the night at aprox 1200m altitude.

The next day we climbed the Col de Montgenevre where they are doing a whole load of renovation in the resort.

Down the hill into Claviere and Italy then through the valley towards Turin stopping to view this castle before turning left up the Col du Mt Cenis and back into France.

Our route was then to take us over the Col de I'Iseran to Val s'Isere but the col was closed so we had a 100 mile detour via Albertville & Moutiers to Aime where we spent the night on the mountain side opposite La Plagne.

The following morning we tackled the Col du Petit St Bernard into Italy again before taking the spectacular Col du Grand St Bernard into Switzerland.
We then followed the Rhone up to Zermatt and camped just outside Tasch.

A well earned day off followed as we ventured up the Gonnergratt Railway to get a better view of the Matterhorn & see the glaciers close up.

We then headed north through Switzerland taking the Grimsel Pass and Brunigpass towards Olten.

Now heading into Germany and the Black forest, the mountains have given way to hills and the snow to trees. We completely by accident found the Black forest High road and sampled some alcoholic gateaux at the top.

Coming out of the forest we entered Luxembourg and camped at the very picturesque village of Clervaux. We then rode west into Belgium then France through the Ardennes before turning north to Zeebrugge and the ferry home.
Our last leg was from Hull back to Stockport was the tedious M62 & M60 and we arrive back at midday.

A full trip report will follow in the next week or so.