Keith's Globe Trotting Blog: ROAD TRIP FROM MALLORCA THROUGH FRANCE - PART 3 HAUT-ALPES

From Col d'Izard

Ascent of Galibier

Nr Le Cassett - Briancon

THE ALPS

So I headed north, targeting ultimately to Briançon, using Digne as an overnight stepping stone….now this was a drive to savour. The mountain scenery of course got more and more impressive leaving the Provence Alpes de Haute and entering the actual Hautes-Alpes. Passing Le Sauze du Lac, and the nearby bizarre geological features of Demoiselles Coifees de Pontis! 🗻😍

I booked into a campsite for three nights, to give me some stability to explore that region….the plan was to repeat at two more locations probably Chamonix and Annecy. The scenery was breathtaking…dare I say, levels above even NZ. The last time I visited the Alps was over 11 years previously, and I’d forgotten how magnificent the vistas are! On my first evening I did a 2 hour walk to Lac de la Douche….from the village of Le Cassett….mainly through trees (again!) but soon with amazing soft light evening views….mind blowing! ❤️🗻

The next day I DROVE to the Col d’Izard (2390 metres) and couldn’t resist a hike to the top of a local enticing peak via Col Perdu….really steep….with worthwhile views on the top….the walk was strenuous but seemed ok….but shortly after, whilst driving, I felt wiped out and eventually needed to sleep….😴

The next day I planned a bike ride, but along The Valley and to take it easy….I felt really wasted….on returning to my campsite, my resolve on persevering had been broken. I hadn’t been savouring this excursion like all my earlier travels and I was sure because I couldn’t be as active as I wanted but also, being unwell, my days were lethargic and underwhelming, even in this environment. 😭

Packing my tent up proved to be an effort….but I decided to head back to Blighty. Firstly over the Col de Galibier and Telegraph (11 years after I rode up on my bike!) via St Jean du Maurienne - the views around the Galibier climb were the most amazing yet.❤️🗻

But unfortunately yet unsurprisingly I jumped on the toll rode and headed north. 10 hours to Calais….I managed nearly six, couldn’t get any accommodation, so decided to partake in my first “wild camp” experience in a lorry car park at a service station! Not the sort of environment I envisaged with Wild Camping! 🙄😅And of course, although I got some Kip, not much….four hours after my camp breakie, I’m sat on the Eurotúnnel. Two hours later, I’m at my pal’s place in S London looking forward to a siesta and an evening beer….but Gaston was bed bound with an intermittent intestinal issue….see a Doc mate! 👨‍⚕️🩺

Katie (also South London) was tied up in meetings all day, and another pal, midway back to Sheffield was not available either….so Sheffield it was! Through hell on the M25 and M1, I drove into Sheffield with a sad tear in my eye (not happy sad!) and just tipped over 10 hours driving and 575 miles in one day….a personal PB, I didn’t want…..

I saw the Doc amazingly quickly, and was informed I have Post Virus Syndrome….more common Post Covid / lockdown where immune systems are weaker to fight back to normal fitness after catching normal colds etc….can take 6 weeks! We will see….👨‍⚕️🤷‍♂️

So Blighty now, but it was always planned as an opportunity to explore my own country, perhaps not this soon, and start my initiation into bike packing….so a week or two to reset and then watch this space……🚴‍♂️🎒🚴‍♂️