After this break I saw Lazuli's temperature gauge rise quickly while we were on our way to Varennes-sur-Allier for a joint lunch with Rita, Luc and two friends of theirs. We enjoyed a delicious lunch with nice company and in the cool air of the air conditioning of the restaurant.
We actually didn't want to move away from the air conditioning, but there was going to be a moment when we had to brave the predicted heat. And that heat was there! We stepped outside with a temperature of more than 42° to 44° Celsius. With the collar of my motorcycle jacket open, I tried to cool down while riding, but even at the permitted speed of 90 km/h the air felt like a warm hairdryer. A cooling vest would not have been an added value at this temperature (and the 35°+ Celsius temperatures). Rather the opposite.
Because of these temperatures we did not know how quickly we had to jump into the water of the swimming pool at Domaine Barreaux. Even though the water had a temperature of about 30° Celsius, the water felt cooling.
Naturally, thunderstorms were inevitable at these temperatures. In the afternoon the first arrived with a welcome cooling air. Afterwards to end the week together with once again the fantastic cooking of Rita and Luc (which I was definitely going to miss for the rest of the adventure). What an amazing place is Domaine Barreaux! It felt like a real home.
The weather gods decided to settle their discussions extensively and loudly that night. It kept flashing outside. On the other hand, it cooled down wonderfully. However, the discussions continued for a very long time. After breakfast on day 8 and a warm goodbye from Rita and Luc, Lazuli and I had to endure the many discussions of the weather gods until noon. These seemed to want to join the adventure to Switzerland.
Fortunately, Lazuli and I managed to avoid the arguing weather gods after lunch. The closer we got to the Swiss border, more and more the landscape started to change. More erratic and with a different type of rock than the Massif Central consists of. Unexpectedly we took a break at a dried up river and waterfall where the surrounding trees were covered with moss. It seemed as if we had ended up in a fairytale forest.
The ninth day consisted of getting up early and packing everything as quickly as possible before the first drops of rain fell again. Upon leaving, I quickly came across a bakery that not only had sweets, but also delicious sandwiches. How lucky and immediately took a sandwich with me for a potential lunch. On to Switzerland!
What a beautiful country! Unfortunately the weather was terribly bad. It just kept raining and raining. It finally made me book a spot at Scheidegger-Ranch. The route to the Ranch was not boring. Despite the weather conditions, I was able to enjoy the narrow roads along high mountain walls, free-roaming cows and some waterfalls.
Arriving at the Ranch, I was fortunate to be the only one booked in the shared room. This gave me plenty of space to dry things, but they also had a drying room where my motorcycle suit could dry out.
Initially I was going to spend an extra day in Switzerland, but the weather conditions made me decide to flee the country with Lazuli. Not without reason, because many mountain passes were now closed due to mud- and landslides and many weather warnings had been issued for heavy rainfall.
Still, I was happy to ride north. Soon I rode back into France and found myself in the area known as the Vosges. The first pass I rode here was the Col du Ballon d'Alsace. Lazuli and I climbed this together with two local motorcyclists. I must honestly admit that the rhythm we found together ensured that Lazuli's tires became wonderfully round again. Even though Lazuli also had to carry full luggage. What a wonderful motorcycle it is.
But more about Col du Ballon d'Alsace, because this is not just any mountain pass in the Vosges. The mountain pass is world famous in the history of the Tour de France. The mountain pass in question was ridden for the first time in 1905 during the Tour de France. The then organizer Henri Desgrange stated as follow:
- “The ascent of the Ballon d'Alsace, was one of the most thrilling sights I have ever seen, and confirms my belief that man's courage knows no bounds and that a highly skilled athlete can aspire to remarkable feats”
This gave birth to the myth that the Col du Ballon d'Alsace was the first ever mountain pass of the Tour de France. At the top you will find a monument commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Tour de France.
After a great lunch at the top of this mountain pass, the route continued for a few more hours, ending at a simple campsite after about 300 kilometers.
The next morning I woke up with a different temperature extreme. It was only 9° Celsius. That was quite a change in 72 hours. How happy I am with my lovely warm sleeping bag.
The result? Before it was bedtime for the little man, we were together entertaining him, with his parents as a chronic interpreter since we spoke either no or limited German.
Packing was a challenge again, because the little man also found this very interesting. Ultimately, Lazuli and I were enthusiastically waved goodbye by the little man and the other guests. What a wonderful end to the adventure, because all I wanted now was to go home. Relieving my husband from carrying for our cat children.
Part of this adventure certainly had a purpose. A goal to share such a wonderful adventure with others. Details about this goal can be found in the Travel Shop: France.
Quite a story, but I look back at this adventure with a huge grin on my face. It was again one I will never forget. May many more follow. Would you like to join Lazuli and I on an adventure in 2024?
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