September 12th Albertville to St Gervais 32km

Swiss couple from two nights back hailed us in the morning. They had spent two nights there and joked about bumping into us in Chamonix. Set off thinking get to Megeve and if up to it onwards to St gervais, with a night in a hotel. Cycle route to Ugine and then a big long climb out of it through a deep valley. About 10km in total climb. Coffee in Flu met and something to eat, getting cold, cloudy and a bit rainy today and into the skiing zone. Another 9km to megeve and feeling good so onwards to St gervais which is as lovely as we remembered. Sussed out a cheap give and after an hours wait managed to contact proprietor and booked in. Like q youth hostel really, use of kitchen etc, the proprietor had an unusual manner, and kept checking that things worked as he showed us round, but it is a bargain at 15 euro each, so all in happy. Out for some beers then back later for pasta supper.

Sept 11th la terrace to albertville 50 km

Pretty nice cycle along the valley just raised up from then valley itself to give us great views, amazed about how fast we are moving along to our final destination but always keeping  mind we must have some climbing to do!!!!!! It has been amazing so far and will be even more so when we get to see mont blanc which I am sure won't be far off:)

Sept 10th Pierre chattel to la terrace 50km

Had a chat prior to leaving with the swiss couple who were really interested in what we doing. Waved us off like old friends :) Not as pretty a cycle and the second puncture (mine this time) but along what could have been very flat terrain except for wrong turnings which led to two climbs!!!! Not required. More avoiding major roads part Grenoble really but still good cycle.

Sept 9th St Fermin to Pierre Chatel, just past La Mure 38km roughly.

Luckily blue sky trying to make itself known as we got up. Definitely feeling a lot cooler now, wearing nearly as many clothes in night as day. The flies in abatement therefore breakfast managed and then off. Another good climb up to Corps for coffee and then on the road for about another 5km when I turned the corner to find Dave in a lay-by  bike upside down, the first puncture of the trip!!!!!! Sun now really out and the scenery is truly amazing. Hard cycling but feels fantastic. Lunch while puncture repair then off towards La Mure which I felt was down in the valley. Its a good job our map doesn't tell us the whole story as we headed down and then back up in a big way again. It said 2km wiggley at the bottom, more like 5km I would say, but again plodding away and with brilliant views to act as a distraction, got there. Nice place, quick shop and with the guidance of a local pharmacist (Office de Tourisme closed) headed onwards in Grenoble direction to campsite, another 8km or so. Offered use of a table by a lovely Swiss couple, so friendly.

Sept 8th Gap to St Fermin 29km but now that's not the point!!!!!!!

OMG what an amazing days cycling!! Big climb out of Gap about 3km and a 200m increase in height, more importantly. About half way up worked out what the writing on the roads was all about, we were on a tour de France route!!! Being a Sunday there was a race in progress too, hence lots of high viz people who I am under no illusions realised we weren't part of the race. managed to get up except for one silly stop when I couldn't then get back going so walked just for 100 metres (damn). This was the Alps proper and it felt great. Another 7km on saw us having a well deserved egg sandwich at St Bonnet and a coffee in the Bar de Tour.

Weather turning on the cycle on to St fermin, but luckily managed to miss any downpours. pitched up on the basic site and due to the rain followed by sudden burst of sun, the flies appeared!! Nothing in really for tea anyway and with further storm clouds approaching decision for a meal out was made, we were worth it!!!

Pizza with  a few beers went down very well. We had a little crawl around the two bars which were frequented by some really an eclectic bunch and then pizza as the heavens opened, lightening struck and thunder roared. Back to a bar for a last one in hope that the rain eased. Offer of a drink from a chap politely declined, it was as if he couldn't see Dave sitting there next to me, a bit odd really. Rain eased a tad so up the hill we went, pitch black (literally) but we made it, not too wet at all.

Sept7th cabins to just north of gap 20km

Beautiful morning, the mist rising over the mountains never ceases to amaze. Dave's side a bit dodgy so small ride to a campsite up a hill from Gap. Lovely pool and jacuzzi and peacocks strutting around  but the weather definitely on the change. Clouds whip in about 3 o'clock and then always touch and go whether rain imminent. Lovely countryside though and friendly campsite tonight. Understand that summer is over to an extent, make the most of blue skies whilst we can. Hopefully will manage 30 to 40 km a day to get us up to Chamonix before real weather sets in.

Early night and again hard to believe but whenever we settle in for the night it's so much easier to hear everything! What sounds like a disco from the town which is a bout 2km away and from the tent of the nice ?Dutch couple the faint sound of the Beatles. "ahh this is the LP we used to have"  says Dave humming about getting back  behind the iron curtain as I just try to block noise out. Wake up later to Billie Holliday, dismayed that it must still be early for them to have music still on, but at least they have good taste in music. It was at 3.10am as Jim was riding on a storm that I realised it was Dave's I-pod playing in the porch area of the tent. As I surveyed in dismay his tightly closed bags, packed so tightly with various different bags I knew it was a vain effort to try and find it. Tissue paper in the ears only option. Dave vaguely aware of the situation so after a rendition from Duffy at 5.10am it was too much for him and yay the I-pod was located and silenced :-)

Sept 6th sisteron to cabans 40km

Stayed in campsite , a bit weird. We paid a guy who really could have been anyone :/ but actually was a me member of the staff. We then laid by the pool but even though we had 4 pools all to ourselves it was a bit of a dubbed cemetery with a view ha ha.