Alps 2009 Friday 19th june - High stuff and a stroke of luck

Nearly couldn't do this post tonight - laptop keyboard playing up, random keys not working. all right now though? Right, left BSM at 09:30 and out over the Col d'Iseran, cracking road briliant weather and saw some marmosets running around. After Iseran, into Italy again via Col du Mont Cenis and down to Susa with the intention of going over Colle delle Finestre to pick up the R23 to Sestriere and Col de Montgenevre back to France and Briancon. However, got half way up Colle delle Finestre, and it was closed, so back track to Susa (theres a junction there with the autostrada that puts spaghetti junction way to shame - totally confusing and we went around twice just to make sure we were thoroughly mesmerised, but ended up going along the S24 to Ouix as planned. There we had a gelato (ice cream) and then headed to Briancon over the Col de Montgenevre. The first hotel we saw - Hotel de la Chaussee- had a room and very nice it is smack in the middle of town, but our luck was to change........... Shower and changed we're off for a look around. Up to the walled citadel and it then starts raining. Dive into the nearest bar, very nice english lady serves us after letting me try my terrible French to order beer. Turns out that this bar has a number of recently renovated apartments and it just so happens they have some available and guess were we are staying after tonight? Two bedroomed apartment lounge/kitchen/diner and en suite, park the bikes right outside - sorted. The very nice lady did us a deal and even upgraded us - Asda price!! Spirit de Briancon - Residence du Temple - google it

Col d'Iseran



Gelato in Ouix ( table it was on)



hotel de la Chausse

and------- bit wobbly but he's one handed with certain death over the edge