Well, finally I have sorted out some photos from the 740 I took !
I am a bit late with this as the Wildcat Adventures "Bosnia / Croatia / Slovenia Tour" took place from 12th September to 4th October. The 'Wildcat' couple, John Fulton & Brigitte Lucas, then went straight to Plymouth to start their 'Morocco '08' Tour - which has been ably reported on in here by Stumpy.
I'll do this in instalments as a three-week holiday encompassing Scotland, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia - with a total mileage of 4,740 - will take some reporting
First instalment:
Numbers were a bit down for the Bosnia Tour, but John decided to go ahead with it. The official start was at an Ibis Hotel in Metz, France, on 13th Sept, but I travelled down from Edinburgh to Dover to meet them at their B&B on Friday 12th.
The original plan was to use Eurotunnel, but there had been a fire on the Thursday and it was shut. Some phone calls resulted in us getting booked on the P&O 10:55 sailing - at twice the normal price (£70.00 one-way with bike).
For those who notice such things . . Here's John's bike (KTM 950 Super-Enduro) before it was fitted with the 30 litre tank and centre stand for the Morocco trip.
The crossing was so uneventful I can't even remember the name of the boat
. However, with the tunnel closed the Dover Ferries were going like a fair. As we arrived at Calais there were three ships behind us/
From Calais, we took the good old A26 towards Reims and onward to Metz. The weather started fine but the last 100 Kms (referred to as 'Klicks' I believe) were in torrential rain. We didn't stop and I didn't have my waterproofs on so arrived rather wet.
That evening we met some of our companions. A couple from South London - Daryl & Elaine - both on new R1200 GS', and Chris from Kent on a Honda Super Blackbird.
Next morning was fine, pity I didn't adjust the ISO level on my small camera !
Sunday 14th Sept:
We headed towards Andermatt on the Oberalpass in Switzerland. The route took us South, past Basel & Lucerne and into the Alps at Innertkirchen and the Sustenpass. As we climed the weather deteriorated, becoming wet and misty. We stopped briefly in Andermatt where we met a couple on an 1100GS who told us there was snow ahead.
As we climed the Oberalpass we hit fog and snow, but the snow wasn't too bad and we arrived at the little Hotel without incident. The scenery looked a bit bleak though.
That evening we were joined by the final Tour member - Hans-Peter - A German born Swiss who works as Editor of a Swiss Trucking Union's magazine. It sounds like the perfect job as he is invited to new vehicle launches and gets to drive trucks and coaches for evaluation. He used to work as a driver in his Father's Haulage business, so knows the ropes. He is quite a character as I was to find out as he was my room-mate for the trip.
Monday 15th Sept:
We awoke to overnight snow
Daryl & Elaines' bikes had been left out overnight and the locks were frozen. Daryl soon got them going fortunately.
The very efficient Swiss soon had the roads cleared and we headed back to Andermatt. The forecast wasn't good so we decided to head South to Lakes Locarno and Lugarno in Italy, then head North to St.Moritz and our destination as Pontresina.
we didn't stop much and the Italian traffic was heavy, so I didn't take many photos. The scenery was great and it was nice to be warm again. This was the sort of view we had - taken at the side of a filling station & Cafe somewhere near Castasegna (guess who didn't have a GPS !).
Once back in the Alps we hit rain and low cloud again, but no snow. We stopped at the top of the Maloja Pass to take in the view - We were getting used to handling the hairpins.
From here it was a short run to Pontresina and our Ski Lodge Hotel. All out of season of course, which meant we had the place almost to ourselves.
Tuesday 16th Sept:
A lovely morning and glorious Alpine views. Everything we had hoped for.
That day we rode through the Alps towards Selva Val Gardena, criss-crossing borders and taking in the Stelvio Pass
We stopped for coffee in a picturesque town - and promptly lost Chris who didn't spot us parked up. We shouted and waved but away he went - trying to catch up
Unfortunately, I didn't stop on the way up (or down) the Stelvio Pass, so you will have to make do with the view from the top
There were bikes everywhere. Hans-Peter is a keen Photographer and was shooting everything in sight.
Bruno's Hot Dog Stall (Beef, Venison or Pork) did a roaring trade - at 5 euros a pop. The gift shops were busy as well and we all have Stelvio stickers on our panniers to give us the all important 'Street Cred'
That night we stopped at a very nice Ski Lodge hotel at the base of the Ski run at Selva Val Gardena.
Wednesday 17th Sept:
The Ski runs don't look the same without snow !
The Hotel is ideally situated, being right at the end of the run - with street-level access to a Bar
Hans-Peter, John & Brigitte had an early morning start to do some shopping.
From Selva we headed towards Slovenia and the town of Bovec. This took us through the Dolomites on some fantastic roads. I have a load of photos, hopefully these will give you a flavour. This area is well worth a visit.
At the top of the Passo Sella - check out that sky !
That evening we arrived at the Hotel Kanin in Bovec, an old Soviet-style Hotel that had been modernised and was having a pool added. It was very roomy and comfortable and ideal for our three-night stay.
I'm going to finish Instalment One there and upload this lot. I have just scratched the surface, there is loads more to come
Bob.
I am a bit late with this as the Wildcat Adventures "Bosnia / Croatia / Slovenia Tour" took place from 12th September to 4th October. The 'Wildcat' couple, John Fulton & Brigitte Lucas, then went straight to Plymouth to start their 'Morocco '08' Tour - which has been ably reported on in here by Stumpy.
I'll do this in instalments as a three-week holiday encompassing Scotland, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia - with a total mileage of 4,740 - will take some reporting
First instalment:
Numbers were a bit down for the Bosnia Tour, but John decided to go ahead with it. The official start was at an Ibis Hotel in Metz, France, on 13th Sept, but I travelled down from Edinburgh to Dover to meet them at their B&B on Friday 12th.
The original plan was to use Eurotunnel, but there had been a fire on the Thursday and it was shut. Some phone calls resulted in us getting booked on the P&O 10:55 sailing - at twice the normal price (£70.00 one-way with bike).
For those who notice such things . . Here's John's bike (KTM 950 Super-Enduro) before it was fitted with the 30 litre tank and centre stand for the Morocco trip.
The crossing was so uneventful I can't even remember the name of the boat
. However, with the tunnel closed the Dover Ferries were going like a fair. As we arrived at Calais there were three ships behind us/
From Calais, we took the good old A26 towards Reims and onward to Metz. The weather started fine but the last 100 Kms (referred to as 'Klicks' I believe
) were in torrential rain. We didn't stop and I didn't have my waterproofs on so arrived rather wet.That evening we met some of our companions. A couple from South London - Daryl & Elaine - both on new R1200 GS', and Chris from Kent on a Honda Super Blackbird.
Next morning was fine, pity I didn't adjust the ISO level on my small camera !
Sunday 14th Sept:
We headed towards Andermatt on the Oberalpass in Switzerland. The route took us South, past Basel & Lucerne and into the Alps at Innertkirchen and the Sustenpass. As we climed the weather deteriorated, becoming wet and misty. We stopped briefly in Andermatt where we met a couple on an 1100GS who told us there was snow ahead.
As we climed the Oberalpass we hit fog and snow, but the snow wasn't too bad and we arrived at the little Hotel without incident. The scenery looked a bit bleak though.
That evening we were joined by the final Tour member - Hans-Peter - A German born Swiss who works as Editor of a Swiss Trucking Union's magazine. It sounds like the perfect job as he is invited to new vehicle launches and gets to drive trucks and coaches for evaluation. He used to work as a driver in his Father's Haulage business, so knows the ropes. He is quite a character as I was to find out as he was my room-mate for the trip.
Monday 15th Sept:
We awoke to overnight snow
Daryl & Elaines' bikes had been left out overnight and the locks were frozen. Daryl soon got them going fortunately.
The very efficient Swiss soon had the roads cleared and we headed back to Andermatt. The forecast wasn't good so we decided to head South to Lakes Locarno and Lugarno in Italy, then head North to St.Moritz and our destination as Pontresina.
we didn't stop much and the Italian traffic was heavy, so I didn't take many photos. The scenery was great and it was nice to be warm again. This was the sort of view we had - taken at the side of a filling station & Cafe somewhere near Castasegna (guess who didn't have a GPS !).
Once back in the Alps we hit rain and low cloud again, but no snow. We stopped at the top of the Maloja Pass to take in the view - We were getting used to handling the hairpins.
From here it was a short run to Pontresina and our Ski Lodge Hotel. All out of season of course, which meant we had the place almost to ourselves.
Tuesday 16th Sept:
A lovely morning and glorious Alpine views. Everything we had hoped for.
That day we rode through the Alps towards Selva Val Gardena, criss-crossing borders and taking in the Stelvio Pass
We stopped for coffee in a picturesque town - and promptly lost Chris who didn't spot us parked up. We shouted and waved but away he went - trying to catch up
Unfortunately, I didn't stop on the way up (or down) the Stelvio Pass, so you will have to make do with the view from the top
There were bikes everywhere. Hans-Peter is a keen Photographer and was shooting everything in sight.
Bruno's Hot Dog Stall (Beef, Venison or Pork) did a roaring trade - at 5 euros a pop. The gift shops were busy as well and we all have Stelvio stickers on our panniers to give us the all important 'Street Cred'
That night we stopped at a very nice Ski Lodge hotel at the base of the Ski run at Selva Val Gardena.
Wednesday 17th Sept:
The Ski runs don't look the same without snow !
The Hotel is ideally situated, being right at the end of the run - with street-level access to a Bar
Hans-Peter, John & Brigitte had an early morning start to do some shopping.
From Selva we headed towards Slovenia and the town of Bovec. This took us through the Dolomites on some fantastic roads. I have a load of photos, hopefully these will give you a flavour. This area is well worth a visit.
At the top of the Passo Sella - check out that sky !
That evening we arrived at the Hotel Kanin in Bovec, an old Soviet-style Hotel that had been modernised and was having a pool added. It was very roomy and comfortable and ideal for our three-night stay.
I'm going to finish Instalment One there and upload this lot. I have just scratched the surface, there is loads more to come
Bob.
