Thursday, September 21, 2017

COL DU LAUTARET DRIVE

We left the campsite at Iscle de Prelles near Briancon and took the road to the Col du Lautaret, clear blue skies and hot sun and stunning views. Saw the road up the Col du Galibier, we've watched the Tour de France go up often so good to see in real life.
Had lunch then passed through La Grave and noticed signs which we took to mean no trucks over 3.5 tons but oh no it then had us drive through a tight chicane which supposedly meant you were OK to proceed. We then came to a road closed sign barriers across the road and a diversion which certainly was not made for caravans. Fortunately a British couple on a motorbike stopped and said they would drive up the diversion and see if it was OK for us. While they were gone another English couple drove along the diversion, turned round and came back to us saying don’t go that way, you wont make it.
The road has been closed about 2 years when the tunnel collapsed, they are now building a new one through the mountain which will be finished in December.
The motorbike couple came back while we were talking to the other couple and they said it would be OK. Having listened to the car couple who lived in Briancon we decided to turn around. So after I'd moved some barriers Roy backed into the closed road and away we went! Plan B did not work as we went back to La Grave but both campsites there were closed. Plan C – we drove back to our campsite of last night.
New plan – in the morning we take the detour down to Gap and back up to L'Alpe d”Huez as I really want Roy to have his bike ride up this famous climb, we just hope the weather holds.


























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