Cycling around the lake on the free bikes provided by the hotel, they were free for a reason. We thought we would cycle to Annecy from our hotel but quickly realised completing the 2km on Granville’s delivery bike (open all hours) in 33-degree heat was a bit unrealistic.
Our hotel was at the other end of the lake, and they had an underground garage to park the bike in, which was handy.
The menu from our hotel that we eat in on the Wednesday night. Of course we didn’t need an English version what with both Deb and Rob being fluent in le French.
One of our lake side stops on our bike ride, we dipped our feet in the water and had crepes from a little lake side cafe.
In the evening we traveled to Annecy on the bike for something to eat followed by an ice cream or le Sorbet, totally nailed this French.
Morning Breakfast on the Thursday. How come McDonalds in France can get rid of all the waste pack so it we cannot do it in the UK?
The weather was shocking when we arrived at fluhli. We had planned to stop only one night but despite the cost decided to stop another night as the weather forecast for the next day was shocking as well. We could not complain really as we had been spoiled by a southern Europe heatwave up to that point
So we had a day here, what should we do? Ride some cable cars of course and we started with the Luftseilbahn Sörenberg-Brienzer Rothorn.
At last we saw an Ibex, we were beginning to think these were just myth
When we initially got to the top the view on the front of the chocolate you get with a coffee was the only view we could enjoy due to the heavy cloud cover
Weights in the center of the car were a little worrying.
The FLÜHLI Hotel Kurhaus was like something out of the ‘Shining’.
We searched for a trike to recreate the scene but no joy
Wow, what a days riding. Much to the objection of the wallet we decided to go back into Switzerland to complete some of the passes, and wow was it worth it.
Took the mighty wing and on the Tremola, Gotthard, Furka and Grimsel passes today. Bike did great but Tremola definitely suited to a smaller bike. 90% cobbles and very very tight. Still, glad we did it.
We left our villa by Lake Maggiore and headed back into the mountains. It had rained over night so Deb used this to explain her wet trousers on our first stop. Of course !
We stopped in Muralto at the end of lake Maggiore (which never seems to end) for a cheeky McDonalds with Deb choosing a happy meal and Toy, don’t ask! She tried to give it away to a passing kid but her uber defensive dad was having non of it, thought the kid was going to cry.
We completed the Tremola Pass and to say it was challenging two up on a Goldwing would be a bit of an understatement. 90% of it was cobbled so just as well it was dry. We were rewarded at the top with lake views and restaurants where we got some soup (all we can afford in Switzerland).
We stole (borrowed) this photo from the web as there was no way we was stopping once we had started the climb. Virtually the entire pass is made of these cobbles except a small section at the bottom. Proper squeaky bum stuff.
Explain to us how they got these horses and cart to the top of the pass some 2500 meters up?
On the Furka pass by the Belvedere hotel there is a glacia, only problem being the eye gouging shop owner who has put a gate up at the back of his shop to prevent access unless you pay him 9 CHF. He also wanted 1 CHF to use the toilet. No way Deb was paying, passing the honesty box without a hint of guilt. There was no way Rob was going to pay to see the glacia, not when he can ride to the next hairpin and launch the drone.
If you recognise the hotel (Belvedere Furka) it’s because it was in 007 Goldfinger.
Hello!
Unfortunately, after completing the Furka and entering the Grimsel pass it started to rain. Deb suggested we pull over and pop on the waterproofs just in the nick of time.
The last 50km were in torrential rain and we were very happy to arrive at the FLÜHLI Hotel Kurhaus
