Well I guess I am in danger of turning this blog into a weather feature (everyone who knows me, knows how obsessed I can be about it), so for our Italy and Slovenia tour I shall just say it could have been better, but it could have been a lot worse!

Our group arrived for our first night stay on the French/German border. One of our largest groups of the year, there was plenty of regulars, a few ‘blasts from the past’ and a few ‘newbies’ but all soon mixed and got to know everyone.

Our first stop was the medieval town of Rothenburg, I have been there several times before but never tire of walking around its walls and admiring the skill and craftsmanship that must have gone into building such a structure. The same admiration could not be applied to our next visit which was the Dachau concentration camp, I was not sure if including this on the tour may be a little macabre, but I am glad that we went, although I do wonder of man’s inhumanity to man.

Leaving Bavaria behind we entered Austria to climb the Grossglockner pass before dropping to our next overnight destination in Slovenia. Having paid our toll fee I wondered if I had sold everyone a dud as the visibility was very poor, so it was with some relief that we exited the tunnel through the mountain to dry roads and clear views. The Glossglockener is one of my favourite roads, apart from the wonderful scenery; the roads are well maintained and seem to flow in such a way that is designed to keep a smile on your face.

 Our first day in Slovenia presented us with clouds covered mountains, so it was with a certain amount of apprehension that we rode into them, however, as on the Grossglockner, once crossing over the tops we were greeted by sunshine, dry roads and clear skies.

 That night we had a huge thunderstorm, then rain in the morning, clearing in the afternoon, which gave John and me a chance to check out some roads.  We found a really great one, seems a British TV film crew liked it too, as they were filming for a TV series. The name escapes me, but there was two guys tearing up and down the hill in a German camouflage sidecar outfit complete with machine gun! I asked if we could join in, but I guess they considered a Pan European and 1200GS not in character…..

Leaving Slovenia we headed for a further two night stay in the Dolomites, once again the clouds rolling back to offer us dry roads and great views. I always find the Dolomites fascinating with their jagged rock formations rising from pristine meadows.  During the free day a few people headed to see Otzi the iceman. This mummified man was found in the Otztal alps (hence is name) and is believed to have been preserved by the ice since 3,300BC. The subject of much argument between Austria and Italy his remains now are on display at the Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano.

Meanwhile a group of us headed for Lake Garda. Having lunched at our normal spot high above the lake, we were advised that a rock fall had closed the main road back and that an alternative route would have to be found, thus turning what had been planned as an easy day into a long one. But as always, these things can turn to your advantage, and we got to ride some of our favourite back roads past the lakes and through the orchards of the region.

 Our route continued over the Timmelsjoch, past Lake Constance, the Black Forest and into the Vosges Mountains before the group separated to return to their chosen crossings.

 A really enjoyable tour this, a great group of riders who sensibly split into small groups and rode the routes and roads that wanted to. Apart from my own, there was the return of the famous Pasty tours with a ‘Doctor Death’ splinter group. Russy’s tours, IOW lot, the Lavender mob, to mention a few.

 I have put my own pictures in the gallery, but if you have a few special ones you would like to include please send them on to me.  As always feel free to add your comments here or on our Facebook page. I must start packing for Portugal, now where are my waterproofs!!