Category: Europe

The last leg, back to England

The music on the steel drums weren’t for me.

T’was apple harvest fair in Cranbrook, Kent.

As I rode past on the last leg of my long – just over 17,000 km from London to the Danube Delta and return.

By the time I reached the Fortified Farm Retreat in Deux-Sevres the weather had started to turn cool and damp

Rain and strong winds on the French coast made Calais and the Tunnel the best option for a Chanel Crossing.

Running north past the magnificent cathedrals

Im particular the Notre Dame in Amiens

To the Eurotunnel train and rendezvous with other riders returning from their summer winter tour

Back in London it wasn’t just the weather that was changing

So was the political climate and the response to climate change

Extinction Rebellion Trafalgar Square Occupation

Even the lawyers rebelled for the climate

I have avoided politically related statements in my blog but as I write large tracks of beautiful rare temperate rain forests in New South Wales, Australia are being destroyed in unprecedented bush fires. This is climate change and it can no longer be ignored.

Nimes to the Dordogne and beautiful gorge country.

The Pont du Gard sits near the southern end of a series of beautiful gorges that run over 400km north into the DordogneThrough the Causses et Cevennes and the pretty village of FloracRoads winding through the beautiful Gorge de la Vis and the Cirque de Navecelles.To Millau and the Viaduc de Millau, the tallest bridge in the world, that spans the Tarn Gorge with its steep precipitous cliffs.From Millau the roads continue through windy paths till reaching Cadouin in the Dordogne with its beautiful 12th century Abbey where a room can be found

And chamber music in the Abbey Church.

A taste of the Savoia, Annecy and Aix les Bains.

The old town in Annecy built around little canals that flow into the lake is a treat

The lakes are the feature of both Annecy and Aix les Bains.

In Aix-les-Bains the steep cliffs around Lac du Bourget provide a riding and viewing pleasure

Especially when you find a little Cafe perched on the cliff edge

To enjoy a beautiful Savoia pinot noir and chucaterie selection.

I was lucky enough to be able to join in solidarity with French Climate Activists and march is support of the world’s beautiful natural places. The planet is worth making a stand for!

Fireworks, fruit, snowy passes, history and motorbikes in Northern Italy

The Moto Guzzi open days on Lake Como go off with a bang

As the marques faithful followers flock to Mandello de Lario.

From Trieste it was a winding road over passes both broad and narrow.

Lakes dotting the path

To Como the Lake of Dreams

Its early September on inthe villages the fruit on the trees ready to pick

As by the weekend end the first snow had started to fall

Dusting the Alps with white and adding a chill to the air in the passes.

Then there is the history of the area such as Bergamo it’s old and new city, home of Pope John xxiii and comrades of Garibaldi.

And the little village of Glorenza that time almost has passed by.

And is on the door steps of the Swiss Alps.

Trieste

Italy has a boot in the south and Trieste is it’s little finger hanging over the edge of the Adriatic Sea.

I visited there twice this trip.

Its had to capture the feel of a city in photos but let me tell you Trieste has a beautiful ambience.

The coast around the Miramare Castle north of the city centre is just beautiful

As are the cities major plazas that run down to the Adriatic.

The Plaza of Italian Unity


And to make is extra special for me

The Irish literary legend James Joyce visited. Though I dont think Trieste was mentioned in Ulysses!

Just a beautiful city.