SUMMER TRIP 2017 PART 3

 

 

Our next stop on this trip was at Lake Annecy where we stayed on 2 different campsites.

This is  hand stitched picture of the view of the lake which I spent about a week working on while we were there.

 

 

 

The first was called Les Rives du Lac which had this jetty and a beach right at the water's edge in the camping ground.  We had to wear the blue band to prove that we were staying there as the  proprietors were concerned that the public could just walk in and use the excellent facilities.

 

As it was a holiday weekend we could only stay for 2 days because the camp was fully booked from the Thursday onwards.  So we got on our bikes and went in search of another camp with more space.  Our first attempt was at the Panoramic which as the name implies was at the top of one of the hills overlooking the lake.  After pushing our bikes most of the way to the top we were rewarded with fabulous views but we knew it would be impossible to stay there!

 

 

Eventually we came back to water level and found a wonderful, friendly site with plenty of space where we chose on of the best pitches on the edge of a field with views up to the mountains.

There is a fantastic cycle way running the length of the lake and beyond which we used every day to explore.  Going south from the camp we came to Duingt which was a tiny village with typical cottages and a fantastic bakery next to the little bar cum paper shop where we refreshed ourselves before cycling back to camp.

This is the view from our pitch which we enjoyed every day sitting with our lunch or a glass or two in the evening.  We did visit the town of Annecy while we were there but as it was the holidays and market day it was very busy and the cycleway resembled a motorway with people going in both directions an all sorts of self propelled wheels some even with trailers for children.

 

There was a stream between us and the field which some of the tent campers used to keep their drinks cool until it dried up in  the heat!

We loved our time by this beautiful lake but all too soon it was time to move on.

 

 

 

We had been recommended a campsite on the side of lake Bourget at Aix les Bains which was difficult to find but eventually we succeeded with the help of the GPS. It was in a lovely location only 100 metres from the water and near plenty of cafes and restaurants, but the pitches were not very flat or clean and the showers did have very hot water.  All this for 23 euros a night, the highest price we paid during the trip.

After being woken at 7am by the builders on the site next door and the noise of marquees being erected for a motorbike festival on the open space by the lake we decided that enough was enough and left after 2 nights. We did manage to cycle the path along the lake which was very pleasant but later when the wind picked up it became quite stormy.  The town of Aix les Bains which is famous for it's thermal treatments will have to wait for another day.