A French Loop - Aston Style

[mikey k]

Day 13
This was a trek over to the SW Alps for the start of the real fun
We finally go to do the VERY top of Col De Bonette the highest "paved" road in Europe
Impressive views and a few mad cyclists who had pedalled to the the top!

We stayed here for a couple of nights

http://www.lamaisonduguil.com/guest-house-french-a...

Very very impressed, a bit awkward to find but the rooms, the hosts, the wine and the food were are fantastic!

The day started quiet cold with a dew on the car

French Loop 1611_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

THe gorges got narrower!

French Loop 1676_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

The villages got disturbed

French Loop 1683_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

No idea what Lewis's side line is but the likeness is uncanny

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Can you see the top of the col de Bonette yet?

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What 2800m up does to a packet of crisps!

French Loop 1799_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

I can see why this village was abandoned, it was freezing even with the sun and no snow!

French Loop 1801_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

I do like this shoot though!

French Loop 1802_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Finally after several attempts I get to the top of the Col de Bonette. (Lewis is the car dirty enough yet?)

French Loop 1822_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


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We meet a couple real mad British guys on the way back down.
Complete mentalists in shorts, a Caterham with a bike rack on fantastic!

French Loop 1842_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Spotted our first glacier of the trip on the way to the hotel

French Loop 1894_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Our room in the monks wine cellar

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French Loop 1912_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

And Jockmans alpine retreat and French car

French Loop 1922_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 26th September 10:25

[mikey k]

Day 14 now 3379 miles in
We did a complete loop of Lake Serre Poncon - stunning place we have pass by before but never explored
We then decided to do Col D'agnel, if you ever get a chance to drive this do it! The Italian boarder is at the very top and the views are amazing, though it was the coldest point of the holiday at 5C(with out the wind chill!)! there are alos a couple of great walks we never did but will have to go back for!
It was a bit disconcerting getting stopped by the Carbineiri holding sub machines guns on the way down in to Italy :
The soon warmed to the car and just checked my driving licence.
On the way back we also had a quick mooch around Saint Veran the highest town in France (apparently) a bit too toursisty for us.
Scared a few Marmots on the way back down

Quick oil check after 3379 miles and only used about 1/2 litre, no need to squeeze 2 litres in the boot then!

French Loop 1941_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

The loop of lake Serre Poncon is very scenic with a few nice wide sweeping roads as well.

French Loop 1969_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


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Marmots arses! thanks to Mrs K and the noise of the Aston

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Top of the col d'Agnel - never done this before stunning being above the clouds, we will return to do the walks from here as well.

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The way down in to Italy (and the Carbinieri with guns )

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They way down in to France

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Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 26th September 10:33

[johng39]

I am taking notes Mikey to add to my next Euro trip.

BUT

[mikey k]

Day 15 3721 miles so far
Started out really well seeing loads of classic cars on col D'izoard (a favourite) and getting some great responses from them.
Weather went down hill on the other side as we descended in to rain and mist
There was no point in doing the othe cols in those conditions to we headed for the next overnight stop in Beaune via the stupidly expensive Frejus tunnel.

We stopped at this place at 140E a night

http://www.bed-and-breakfast-beaune.com/

Wish we had never bothered now over priced, shabby and dangerous electrics
Saving grace was we were early so went to look at a place Lunablack suggested.

http://www.euro-t-guide.com/See_Coun/France/F_E/F_...

I could have spent a weekend there!
Then we went in to the back streets of old Beaune to find a place the locals use
Great food!

Second dewy morning autumn is here!

French Loop 2162_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Half way up Col D'Izoard an old favourite of ours

French Loop 2202_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

We got a good reception from the classic car guys as you can see!

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Mr's K's moody shot from the top (just into the sun )

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Heading down the other side, you can see the crap weather in the distance over the other cols I wanted to do

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I suspect Jockman beat us to the Chateau in Beaune

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The collection this guy has amassed is amazing!
~50 Abarth cars

French Loop 2257_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

I think he also has Georges new race bike ready for him

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Though if the power is too much he might prefer this!

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This brings back memories as a kid, shame they gutted the engines though

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I knew these had been built but never seen one!
A wankel (rotary) engine bike!

French Loop 2272_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

I wonder if I could fit this to my S to get the slow coaches out the way?

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Just a few of the planes he has amassed!

French Loop 2295_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

I was inspecting this to see if I could get Bamfords to upgrade it and fit it for me - a rotary 16 cylinder piston engine!

French Loop 2299_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 26th September 10:54

[mikey k]

johng39 said:

I am taking notes Mikey to add to my next Euro trip.

BUT

EPIC comes to those who wait

[mikey k]

Day 16 total trip mileage 4354
A leisurely trip back to the ferry via a few hidden gems in the farm lands of France
As we got to the ferry port the heavens opened and lightening hit the ferry!
The was it until 3AM when we got to our digs.
Driving on 3mm RE050's in the dark and torrential rain is not nice

Good company at the start of the day!

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The weather was not so good though!

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After a road closure we followed a bunch of cars trying to get round it, we ended up in a vine yard. Turns out they were grape pickers

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We got to the ferry (after another detour round a road closure!)
As I went to get out the car this started and stayed with us for the rest of the trip home

French Loop 2357_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 26th September 10:59

[Jockman]

Keep safe matey....gonna have to think of a restaurant now that caters for the homeless

[mikey k]

Fank you
Aston is parked up looking sad covered in dirt inside and out until the weather improves!
Pictures are now up!

[peterr96]

Very nice pickies Mikey.
Last time I was up Izoard was on a cycle but heading the other direction. Galibier the the day before. Now that is one magical (if somewhat cold) place!

[mikey k]

peterr96 said:

Very nice pickies Mikey.
Last time I was up Izoard was on a cycle but heading the other direction. Galibier the the day before. Now that is one magical (if somewhat cold) place!

Had planned to do Galibier but it was in the clouds and pissing down

[Stedman]

Mikey - You know Oradour-sur-Glane was actually confused with Oradour-sur-Vayres?

Also, I think i'm correct in saying that all the school children in the surrounding areas must visit it.

Brilliant snaps from the rest of the trip

[yeti]

Fantastic pictures Kay and fantastic trip Mikey

Jealous doesn't even cover it, for many that would be the trip of a lifetime, for you it's one of several a year. I wish Mrs Yeti liked cars/touring, but that will never happen

Maybe one day I'll get the chance!

[CPBRI]

Great photos! Looks like a grand tour. Love the plane pics.

[mikey k]

We've decide the next one will be dedicated to the Alps they are far better the Pryenees
It will be 3 days in 3 places with a col fest at each one

[Gibberish]

Thanks for sharing. Very inspiring to see your trip unfold, and the car appears to have run faultlessly, despite picking up a war wound.

As said above, pictures are also excellent. Great post.

[peterr96]

mikey k said:

We've decide the next one will be dedicated to the Alps they are far better the Pryenees
It will be 3 days in 3 places with a col fest at each one

Not sure if you've happened across is yet, but the Col do Roseland is jolly nice...... a really fun descent into Bourg Saint Maurice on a bike too!

[mikey k]

Gibberish - thanks it was great and having loads of pictures cements the memories! THe S did really really well in some very bad conditions. I gained a war wound, lost the rear plate, used 1/2 a litre of oil, average 17.2 mpg over 4,300 miles and did exactly what it was asked of when it was asked.
Amazingly I have now managed 8.5k miles on the rears even with A LOT of (Ihave no idea what RobGT does to kill them in half the mileage.

Peter - thanks done those a few trips ago I'm going to try and make the next trip a "best of"

[Retman]

Jockman said:

Keep safe matey....gonna have to think of a restaurant now that caters for the homeless

Salvation Army - rooms as well.

[mikey k]

Room is sorted we are now on our second holiday of the month

[johng39]

Great post Mikey, you will have to share the route file so I can get some of these in on my next trip