Al on the Go: Alps 2009 Saturday 20th June

What is it with French towns - church bells again at 07:00 plus someones bike alarm going off for 10 minutes,, then the bin men followed by street sweeper - on a Saturday? Als up and showered by 07:45, Steves pretending to be asleep and eventually rouses himself shortly after. We're last out for breakfast and the old biddys have to relay the table with much French muttering. Come to think of it the yoghurt didn't taste the freshest. We're off to the Col d'Izoard then Combe du Queyras gorge, Col de Vars, then over the Col de Larche to what seems the arse end of Italy (it was horrible),but ten miles down the road it improved. The turn off for the Col de la Lombarde was just before Vinadio, and this col was one of the best so far - sneaky little road and a nice detour up to Santuario de Santa Anna where we had a coffee and counted the crosses on all the peaks - some major religious activity in this area me thinks. However, the crosses didn't seem to work according to the amount of avalanche damage we saw on the way. Back into France and up the Col de la Bonnette and the Col de Restefond - the loop at the top of the Bonnette was still shut.( the Cime de la Bonette). There are several claims as to the highest tarmac pass in the Alps, but this one actually wins at 2802m, because the French cheated by building an otherwise useless loop above the actual pass. This actually makes the road another 87m above the real pass. There we met a Belgian guy (Eddie) by informing him his Pan's radiator was leaking. He already knew this, and then started to relate his numerous other misfortunes on this particular trip. We gradually kept backing away so that nothing would rub off on us - poor sod!!! Steve must have not got away quick enough as his clutch is staring to give a few problems. Back to Briancon and our luxury penthouse - Al knew his way to it, lets say Steve took the scenic route after trying to negotiate a roundabout english fashion, but then opted to follow Al along a foot path!!!