In the footsteps of Hannibal and Napoleon

Our rally is at an end, sob, sob but ahead of us is one of the most amazing drives we’ve ever encountered. We didn’t know it at the time, of course, but we thought it would be fun to drive across the Alps from Italy into France en route to Lyon rather than through the Frejus Tunnel and motorways, even though it would add hours to our journey. Boy, are we glad we did!

Mont Cenis, snow-capped mountains and the bluest reservoir

Mont Cenis, snow-capped mountains and the bluest reservoir

I made friends with the huge Turkish Kangol, right, who lives with these Bedlington terriers ... Soooo cute!

I made friends with the huge Turkish Kangol, right, who lives with these Bedlington terriers … Soooo cute!

The plaque commemorating Hannibal's amazing journey across the Alps

The plaque commemorating Hannibal’s amazing journey across the Alps

The sun shone and the scenery was stunning, as we expected. What made it even more special was a fabulous lunch at a tiny roadside cafe/refuge at the top of Mt Cenis. Hannibal crossed the Alps here with his elephant

Paris ... What a sight

Paris … What a sight

s! A plaque told us so. Napoleon also crossed here, and in more recent times (1861) the British built a steam train to bring tourists across the Alps (only the Brits eh?). A small tunnel at the side of the road is all that remains of the railway …. In its heyday it chugged up here bringing 4,000 tourists a year.

The pass itself was awesome. Would not want to drive it on anything other than a sunny day, though. We drove over a small rock and it seriously dented our exhaust. We stopped for lunch at a roadside refuge where we enjoyed delicious soup and quiche, tarteflette (ham, cheese and potato gratin – proper mountain food) and myrtle tart! The owner was so welcoming and I made more friends among canine visitors, so I was very happy.

We were reluctant to leave although when the sun disappeared behind the mountain it got very chilly very quickly and when we drove down the mountain Steve was surprised at a patch of ice on the road!

Several hours later as we sat in a traffic jam at Lyon our mountain idyll seemed so long ago and far away!

Next stop Paris, Calais and Dover!

It was an amazing experience and knowing that, thanks to all your amazing support, we’ve raised almost £4,000 for Variety is really quite an achievement – that’s 1/6th of a Sunshine coach or a child’s electric wheelchair. So thanks to everyone who supported Kings on the Run, we could not have done it without you!

What a road!

What a road!

Next stop Dover - we survived the Italian Job!

Next stop Dover – we survived the Italian Job!