Day 3 - Road Trip Report:
Have to report that “La Toussuire” is very quite in early summer, but was very nice to drive around this Alpine Ski resort to take in the views on a sunny morning:
So today’s route is all about mountain passes (or “Cols” as the French like to call them), more Mountain roads, more hair pin bends, plus dramatic sweeping views as long as the cloud stays above us....!!
Having descended from the ~1600 m of “La Toussuire” (Lots of flappy paddle engine braking, as usaul...)
We worked our way South over the Alps, taking in one of the many Tour de France climbs of “Col du Telegraphe” (Alt: 1566m) which in its self is higher than “Ben Nevis” in Scotland...
Passed through the nice town of “Valloire” which would make a good coffee/lunch stop, but not on today’s schedule. Then started the major climb of “Col du Galibier”
This pass which has a few tight hair pin bends, but also lots of sweeping bends was most enjoyable R)
(...and the Tom-Tom mounted higher up helps enormously when pushing on, to warn how sharp the next blind bend is..!!)
Stopped for a photo stop two thirds of the way up & lots of snow again:
And finally the top of “Col du Galibier” along with other cars, motor cyclists & regular cyclists (Had to wait My turn to take this pic! ) – Also did the sort walk up to a view point, which is worth doing:
Having stopped for lunch, the next French mountain pass on today’s hit list was “Col d’Izoard” (Alt: 2360m)
Though the North side that We drove up (More hair pins & long sweeping bends as it happens!) was green with trees, the South side is very different to any other pass in this area:
And while stopped taking these pictures, You could hear & see the rocks tumbling down these scree slopes..!! :|
After passes through the town of “Guillestre” and just dodging a heavy shower across the valley, next on today’s list was “Col du Vars” (Alt: 2109m)
Stopping half way up – Always important to take a moment to appreciate the views, while on tour:
Came across this “Refuge Napoleon” bar/hotel for a Carbonated Caffeine drink stop, before the final push to the top:
Having then passing over the top of “Col de Vars” in the late afternoon sun-shine, still heading South, I was looking at staying in the town of “Barcelonnette” but while booking this trip back in February I couldn’t find anything that took My fancy, so instead climbed up more hair pin bends (such a hardship in a V6 SLK) towards the winter ski resort of “Pra-Loup”
“Pra-Loup” in spring/summer doesn’t look that great, but out Guest House just down a bit in “Molanes” had the potential for a great view in the morning sun-shine.
# SLK Driving Stat’s for today: 154 most enjoyable miles, hence the 21.4mpg and just under 7 hours of driving.
Have to add at this point that I received the first complain from My Sister on this trip..... :surprise:
“There is so much nice & varied scenery on this trip and by Day 3 She was rapidly running out of space on Her camera memory card...!!” :grin:
