As we had not visted Switzerland as planned in March we decided to have a short trip over late June early July, check out the flat and hopefully do some cycling and hiking. As it happened this also coincided with completing on Hazeland House which added to the stress levels somewhat especially as I had not properly completed the transfer document before we left the UK! However the less said about that the better.
Initially our plan had been to go to Obergoms, cycle over the Furka pass and stay at Andermatt for a couple of days incorporating a ride up to the Goscheneralp – a ride I had seen advertised in Cyclist magazine and really fancied. However, when we looked at the forecast it predicted single figure temps and some unsettled weather. So we cast around for some different ideas and decided to complete another section of the Via Rhona at the end of our holiday and then drive back home.
As a section of the trail from Geneva to Seyssel is being improved this summer we decided to start at Seyssel and cycle to Lyon over 3 days, then get the train from Lyon back to Seyssel where our car was parked. However back to our ride. We didn’t want to struggle with Monday morning rush hour traffic round Geneva so we decided to drive to Annecy on Sunday and have a look round the lake and old town. We had just walked to the lake and admired the façade of the Imperial Hotel (nicer from the outside than inside) when the heavens opened. Fortunately there was an outside beach bar (le Pop) that was happy to let us shelter and order a glass of wine. Most of the other patrons, made a hasty exit as soon as the wind started blowing the rain under the canopy covers. However, we were happy to wait it out and glad we did as it soon brightened up and we were able to return to the hotel and make plans for the evening as our planned BBQ dinner reservation had been cancelled .
We decided instead to walk into the Old Town through the park on the edge of the lake. Lovely to see so many families out enjoying the green space. Probably very happy that the heatwave had broken with the afternoon storms. We headed towards a café style restaurant specialising in small plates called BonPainBonVin. Glad we had downloaded the English menu in advance as it made navigating the menu much easier – were even able to help out a couple on their honeymoon from New England! We sat at a small table outside and enjoyed the comings and goings of various groups. Sitting at our table gave us a feeling of invisibility as we watched others go past or peruse the menu.
Our walk back on the side of the lake after dinner was very relaxing. It was beautiful seeing the lights around the lake and thinking this would be a nice place to visit for a couple of days sometime in the future. We both thought this would be a place Andy and Sue would enjoy visiting – may suggest a family holiday?
As a Postscript we have now booked a canal holiday May 2026 in the Loire region along the Nivernias canal. We have an offer open to Andy and Sue to see if they want to join us – lets see??
