Needing a break from climbing cols, we headed to the jewel-like town of Annecy.  Set on the shores of crystal clear lac d'Annecy and surrounded by snow-tipped peaks, this town consistently ranks as one of France's most beautiful towns.  Although heavily touristed, the flower lined canals (which at night are lit by hundreds of cloth-wicked candles in hanging flowerpots), and winding cobble-stone streets are worth the visit.

In Annecy we again met our friend Eric, whom we had first met (and travelled with for several days) at the Tour de France.  A fellow cycle tourist, Eric carried a complete kitchen in his massive panniers (and could still out ride me).

A hotspot for other travellers, we met fellow Canadians Jen and Steve on the streets of Annecy.  The couple were on their honeymoon bicycling (interspersed with train travel) around the south of Europe.  Pictured above are (l to r) myself, Katharine, Eric, Jen and Steve.

Camping site partway up the col de Corbier (near the French/Swiss border) overlooking the valley from which we had just climbed.

Interlaken (the land between the lakes), Switzerland, sits nestled in the mountains between the Thunersee and the Brienzersea.

The route from Brienz towards Grimselpass is bordered by a myriad of mountain streams cascading down the slopes.

The view from atop Grimselpass.  The road descends to Gletsch (visible at lower right of photo) which really just consists of a hotel and a couple small associated buildings, and then rises again over the Furkapass (top centre of photo).  Two great european rivers have their origin in this vicinity: the Rhone is visible flowing through Gletsch, while the headwaters of the Rhine lie on the other side of the Furkapass.

From Switzerland we dipped into northern Italy, a very beautiful area with quite friendly people.  Because of its proximity to Switzerland and Austria, many people in the area speak German (which was forunate for us as neither of us speak Italian).  However our plans to continue onwards through Cortina and into Austria were abandoned due to forecasts of inclement weather and long lines of car traffic heading into the mountains.