Tuesday, 06 September Week 1

After 5 weeks and one day we are back in our Pfüdi - our second home.

The first time at home is always characterized by a lot of work. Washing clothes, paperwork, intensive cleaning of Pfüdi inside and out, gardening, etc. etc.

Then we built a wooden house for the charger for our electric car.

The nice weather is also used for hiking and e-biking. And in between, simply enjoy the summer weather on the terrace.

Well, and then after 3 weeks we actually got Corona - heaven knows where we got it. We have a feeling. There is hardly any testing anymore, people have coughs, colds, etc. but only very few are interested in whether it could be Corona. There is no more quarantine, no one wears a mask anymore and so the virus is being spread happily.

Now after two weeks we are both negative again and no longer contagious, just still tired.

So we decided to set off after all. It was going to be a leisurely but also active holiday. General direction - France.

We are ready to leave at around 2 p.m. We stop in Ilanz for a little shopping and then we chug up to the Oberalp Pass. A walk for active relaxation and then just enjoy the sun and the view.

Wednesday, 07 September

It rains a little during the night, but nature desperately needs it. Everything is bone dry and it already looks like autumn.

We enjoy the morning at the top of the pass. The sun comes out by the time we finally leave.

Shortly after the Furka Pass summit, we stop to take photos. We also reminisce. When we were younger, we rode our bikes over the Furka and Oberalp passes on our bike tour through Switzerland - without an electric motor, of course.

We drive to Brig. The parking space near the hospital doesn't appeal to us. The Geschina campsite isn't bad at all - we stay. It's just after 1 p.m. and our stomachs are telling us we're hungry. So we head into town. We stroll through the alleys and to Stockalper Castle. It's hot - we're really exhausted by the time we get back to our Pfüdi. So that's enough "sport" for today. The rest of the day is for rest and relaxation.

Thursday, 08 September

In contrast to many places, it only rained lightly here in Brig during the night.

It is almost 11 a.m. before we finally set off. We stop at Saillon for a little shopping.

Today we are driving along the south side of Lake Geneva for the first time.

Due to a lack of pitches, we end up at an ACSI campsite again today. Unfortunately, like most, it is not directly on the lake. But of course we will walk to the shore of Lake Geneva a little later.

Friday, 09 September

So far we have perfect weather - it rains at night and the sun shines during the day!

Today is a pure driving day. We want to drive along the Lot this year as planned, so today we're just going in that direction. Main roads, side roads, and even motorways alternate.

From Chambery we take the D1006, the D520 and the D520A to Voreppe - a particularly beautiful and new route for us. Shortly before Valence we head for an ACSI campsite. It actually says FULL!!! The site is so empty, but it's only open until September 15th and we think they're just fed up. Only those who have made a reservation can stay.

So we drive another 50 kilometers and head for a parking space in Privas. It belongs to the Camper-Car Park group. The good thing is that you can check how many spaces are still free in the app.

You have to buy a one-off ticket for 5 euros to get a seat. This is not very popular and many people think the seats are too expensive. Well, we have a different opinion. And we are just happy that these seats are not yet so full. We enjoy a pleasant evening.

We have chosen a route that will take us westwards to the Lot valley - about 105 kilometres.

At the beginning there is a lot of traffic. The further we get away from the Ardèche area, the quieter it becomes. Our route offers wonderful views. We are not driving through the gorges but high up on the panoramic routes. Then in Villefort we get a shock - a height limit of 2.50 meters. So we have to change the route and that means a few more, albeit beautiful, kilometers.

After many photo stops along the beautiful landscape, we arrive at the parking spot outside Mendes at around 3.30 p.m. We are in the middle of nature and it is wonderfully quiet.

After yesterday's involuntary, longer stage, we treat ourselves to a long lie-in today. It's so beautiful and quiet here - we're staying.

The e-bikes are unloaded and first we drive to the lookout point from where you have a wonderful view of Mende. For the way down into the town we drive to the Ermitage de Saint-Privat and then continue steeply down the cross path. OK, we're not driving anymore, we're walking!

We treat ourselves to lunch in the square in front of the cathedral - we deserve it.

We also need to recharge our batteries, as our parking spot is above the city. The climb is at an 11.5% gradient. We're a bit exhausted, as we're still not really fit, when we get back to Pfüdi and now all we can do is laze around.