Safe Return Doubtful

Day 45 – to Donon The overnight rain had just about stopped by the time we headed out from the van, after an hour or so reading while waiting. It left a humid morning. Not really knowing where I was headed, some may have heard that before, we started up…

Day 44 – to Ventron I meandered on quiet roads about 20 kilometres north west. I had my eye on a trail on the west side of the Ventron ski area. I suspect skiing in the Vosges is more about it being cheap. Camping is a third of the price…

Day 43 – at Ballon d’Alsace I stayed a second night up at the pass, as there was a hike I had been keen to do. I haven’t done many mountain hikes where every part of the day is lower than the start, if any. Setting off from the pass…

Day 42 – to Ballon d’Alsace (at the Pass) To my surprise, there’s a couple of campervan / motorhome parking areas at the top of the Ballon d’Alsace pass. I’m always keen to stay at the top of passes, and have managed to do this several times this journey, but…

Day 41 – at Masevaux The Vosges is a good place to visit at this time of year. Last time I was here, just passing through, it was early September and too hot for me, early 30s, cooling to late teens at night. At the moment it’s scraping into the…

Day 40 – at Masevaux The Alsatians were restless. Church bells at 6:30 am, and again every half hour. VE Day in Europe, and a special year to recognise that. I dozed, each half hour, before eventually submitting to the dog’s enthusiasm for breakfast. I had planned a route to…

Day 39 – to Masevaux, Vosges The camper-car spot at Montécheroux was dirty. The bin was overflowing and there was lots of broken glass. The bin attracted flies, along with a humid evening, and following morning. It hasn’t been the best place to stay. I drove the 60 kilometres to…

Day 38 – to Montécheroux A day of drizzly rain with the cloud lingering not very far above. I was keen to hike along the Jura trail to the Chateau de la Roche, not quite sure exactly what it was. We set off mid-morning on a muddy path with pretty…

Day 37 – to Saint-Hippolyte, Doubs, France Heavy rain all day today, and I chose to get a soaking early in the day, heading from the overnight stop at the waterfall up the track, the reverse of what I had done on first arriving here a couple of days ago.…

Day 36 – at Küblisbühli, Flühli There are three parking areas within 3 kilometres, and after tonight I will have stayed in each of them. Madness; why move? Change of scenery I guess. Change of noise, there’s fast flowing water in each of them from the Emme river, but most…