Advertisement
Published: June 12th 2008
Edit Blog Post
Hilary Ayt scenic point
In France - Lake Sylvan On to Italy
We got decent weather. The first part of the journey was OK, then there was a lot of low cloud which as we climbed towards Geneva just kind of dropped away, leaving clear views. We made good time to Geneva where we had an adventure at a service station. The bike's immobiliser refused to respond to the fob and we were immobilised. Call to assistance who, after taking details asked if we were near a mobile phone mast. We were. We pushed the bike round to the other side of the building and off we went. It may not sound like much of an adventure but, for a while, we were quite stuck. We now know to look out for pesky masts. And, when we got to where we are now, Jessica from assistance phoned to check that we were OK.
The scenery became dramatic. We have some photos. There were eagles, there were mountains and they had snow on them. We stopped for photo opportunities. We went through the Mont Blanc tunnel. It took about 11 minutes. We got out the other side and then we were in Italy. We stopped and took more photos.
Service station in Italy was odd, more like a large mall, but we found cheese and ham toastie eventually and filled up with gas. No hindrance from masts.
We stopped in Pont St Martin where, with assistance from a couple who had just been to the cemetery, we found this hotel. It does not have internet but it does have a room. Our window looks out over the Roman Bridge which spans what is now a hydroelectric plant. It's incredibly beautiful and we have photos. There is not much in this town. I cannot even see a wireless network. There are flies everywhere but that has been the case more or less since we arrived in France - a bit like flying ant day only with flies and lasting longer. We went for a walk then had icecream then more walk then beer. Found pizza for dinner. Good place run by Sicilians. We had a litre of wine for one third of the price of the bottle of Muscdet yesterday and it was, if anything, nicer. Very light and flowery and probably genuinely local since there are many vineyards visible. Bought beers back to room where I am
typing this and sorting photos from the phones and Ashley is watching the football.
Note to self
Mobile phone masts interfere with immobilisers and alarms. I know this, it happened before with the Yamaha and the datatool alarm. Remember to look, not to park under the bloody things.
On riding the Harley.
Today was good. A day of fun. The first day I can say was fun. London, M25, M20 was ok. As was the hour or so in France to St Quentin. The two days from St Quentin to Bourg en Bresse were an experience I would rather never have again. Hour upon hour of driving rain, spray and misery. I needed the day of rest in Bourg en Bresse to recover from it. Today we climbed out of the weather, the ride through the Alps was fantastic. The scenery from Bourg en Bresse to Geneve was impressive, onwards from Geneve was Mt Blanc, looming even closer, it was stunning. 1486cc of V Twin purred through the mountains. Wonderful. Then out of the tunnel, Italy lies before me. Great.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.163s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 15; qc: 54; dbt: 0.1173s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb