Finally, we've done it!
Only 2 days later than planned we finally managed to depart on our oddessy on a fittingly grey and drizzly English morning.

On Wednesday morning we finally departed London, crossed the channel and started heading southeast.

We are now 5 days into our trip and relaxed for the first time in at least 2 months. The amount of stress and sheer volume of effort involved in starting this undertaking amazed and appalled us, but now it feels like a weight has been lifted off our backs now we have packed our lives into little boxes and untangled the web of paperwork involved in London life.

We spent our first night in Epernay in the heart of the Champagne region, so of course had to celebrate the start of our voyage with a glass of bubbly – or at least Lisa did. A cold beer somehow seemed more appealing to me.

Thursday was spent exploring the back roads down through Burgundy and enjoying a last taste of French village life. Fridays ride took us through the foothills of the Alps on some lovely winding scenic roads ending on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Yesterday we rode through the heart of the Alps, up through Mont Blanc and into Italy with stunning alpine views all the way.

click for larger image

At Mt Blanc

We chose to take the 3km tunnel du Mont Blanc which connects France with Italy and were horrified at the 18 Euro charge. We continued on to the beautiful Lago d’Orta and are now enjoying a restful day in true Italian style.

We have been camping all the way and are enjoying the last taste of Europe but are looking forward to hitting Eastern Europe with new cultures and lower prices.