Chapter #3

...starts in Briancon.

I spent a couple of days in this lovely city

last year

and was excited to be coming back.

It's high up in the mountains,

gets super hot during the day,

but cools down at night.

We are camping in a lovely ground,

called "5 Vallees".

As it is not yet the high season,

there are not many other campers,

though I am surprised

 at how many motorcylists

 pull in each night.

It is lovely to camp under the trees,

for shade in the afternoon when it really does get

very hot.

And in the morning

the camp shop supplies freshly baked 

baguette and croissants.

I make coffee,

and sit in the early morning sunshine

indulging in a leisurely breakfast.

Something quite new to me :)

The old historic part of the city

is an absolute treasure.

I spent an afternoon exploring

every nook and cranny.

I have to stop myself sometimes

from taking way too many photos.

There are so many images that I want to capture.

...the colours
 of the houses and shutters
fascinates me...

...the highlight of my time in Briancon

was without doubt

my walk up into the hills

to Lac L'orceyrette.

Simply stunning...

took my breath away.

...wildflowers in abundance...

...little villages along the way...

...and hillsides just so incredibly beautiful...

We managed to get the bike sorted

in Briancon

and it was on the road again

to the next race.

Over the mountains,

through some of the most spectacular scenery

I've ever seen,

though I have a feeling

I will be saying that over and over again

on this journey:)

...destination Colmars,

for Jake's next race up in the mountains

of Val d'Allos, 

just a few miles up the road.

We camped in another absolutely

delightful camping ground

by the river...

...and the next day I spent quite a few hours

exploring the tiny village of Colmars,

the heart of which

is a walled olde city...

pure bliss to wander around

and quite mind boggling when you realise

that parts of the city

date back to the 16th century!!

...especially when quite by accident

I happened to find

a wonderful little haberdashery:)

 In the afternoon I climbed up into the hills

behind the village

and was treated to more

spectacular views...

The following day was race day...
a tough day considering the circumstances
but he slogged it out and completed it,
however not one of his better results.
The ups and downs of the sport
and on the ''off'' days
we look for positives:)

Next stop would be Sanremo...
See you there :)
Jenny