Monday 3 September 2012

DAY 2 : FRANCE : MONTBONNET to MONISTROL-D'ALLIER - 15.5 kms - 5 hours (with stops)

Distance travelled so far : 31.5 kms
13o today - cloudy and cool

We spent today climbing in the Massif du Veves Mountains and reached the highest point of the Via Podensis, 1210 m. Then we dropped down through the forest to the Gorge D'Allier, crossing Pont Eiffel (not as grand as it sounds!) and reached our gite in Monstrol d'Allier - 16 euros per person for bed (four bed room) and breakfast. This town is an important railway link and has a hydro-power station built in 1926. (Another parcel home tomorrow to lighten the pack!)

Climbing in the Mont Massif du Veves


Coffee and wifi stop in Saint-Privat d'Alli
 
Chapel and fort in Rochegude
 
 
Baguettes for lunch
Looking down the gorge towards Monistrol-d'Allier
 
 
Monistrol-d'Allier from the Pont Eiffel
 
Pizzas and internet at The Pain du Sucre at the main hotel
 
 
M&M
3/9/ 12
 
 
 

 
 

2 comments:

Nick and Wendy said...

Good to see you on the road again - leaving the fancy urban tourist activities far behind. Hope the scenic countryside, rustic accommodation and authentic French cuisine lives up to all expectations! Let us know if the local wine is up to Australian standards.

Kathryn F said...

Great scenery - exhilarating, you must be enjoying it. Here, in Lake Macquarie, Spring is in full swing - the sweet pittosporum is in flower plus orchids and other shrubs. Had a great family time last w/e with Nic up from Sydney, Alicia and co around and Wil on skype.
All the best.