Out there somewhere...: La Bresse blues...

I never like too begin on a bad note, but now it almost cant be helped... Unaware, La Bresse, my location for tonight, is one of the top cycling hotspots in europe. And i've come all the way here, without my bike! Okay, so in my defence i did plan too bring her (Telula) along in the first place, but with a few days to go i realised that a long with all my other clobber, there was no way she'd be able too fit in the car. Well not unless i kept the sunroof open, but since it was raining yesterday that probably wouldn't be the brightest of ideas. Literally everywhere you go there's people on bikes, signs for MTB trails, the actual site im staying at is one of the biggest trail centres in the area. Bugger is all that can be said.

Right, rant over. I will now do my best not to mention anything bike related for the rest of this entry. Although since im heading to Chamonix tomorrow my biking' blues are unlikely to get any better.

Aaaannnyyyywaayyyy, La Bresse itself is beautiful. Like really quite amazing, i was expecting it to be good but this is something else. My site itself is in the middle of a valley surrounded by mountains that raise atleast another 1000ft up. The campsite is already 1100m above sea level...

Got here quite early today, around 2, so after making camp, i travelled back into town to sort out dinner for tonight. After browsing the aisles and getting strange looks from all the locals (do i really look that much of a tourist? Maybe its my 'I LOVE LONDON' t-shirt and camera hanging around my neck that give it away....) i decided on spaghetti bolognese. Without the spaghetti, as they didnt have any, so i went with penne instead.

Back too the site and it was still only about 3, so decided to go for a hike. As well as the many signposted MTB routes from the site (oops, did i just mention bikes?) theres a goood few hiking trails as well. As it was only early still i decided to tackle the longest, 15 km. The route was scenic and green and involved some pretty tough climbs considering it was posted as 'beginners'. 5km in, it levelled out and there was a small lake which was nice, another 5km and a few hundred ft more climbed, the route again levelled out. Another bloody lake. I mean i like lakes but i was hoping for something a wee bit more exciting! And there wasnt much of a view as there was there to many trees in the way! Aaah well, it killed some time anyway. Interestingly though the routes up to said lakes also ran alongside what can be described as 'extreme bridleways'. If my French is any good (which it isn't) these were designed for use by 4x4s and wild camping in the mountains is encouraged and protected by the forest rangers. Aaaah if only i had my Land Rover.... Then i could of brought the bike as well... Bugger, must not mention bikes. Anyway, enough writing, heres some piccys too make up for all the gobbledygoop that you've just had too read!