Sciaccarellu - Niellucciu 2024 - Île de Beauté IGP
A delicate blend of the Corsican version of Sciaccarellu rosado and Niellucciu rosé varietals. We found this bottle poured as a very light peachy colour, with a delicate taste, slightly spicy, more melon rather than vanilla or lemon. An excellent accompaniment to our Mediterranean lunchtime salad facing the azure water of the Ligurian Sea at Menton.
Running the border
Back running for fun, fitness and to keep in small size shorts. I’ve always enjoyed running, it was my sport in my teeens and twenties, so I’m happy I can still do a short run that doesn’t upset my joints if I’m careful. The warm weather helps. Two runs from where we’re staying in Menton on the French Riviera: to the border with Italy or to the lighthouse at the end of the harbour wall, each about 25 minutes there and back.
Paradis des Praz - Chamonix-Mont Blanc
Wonderful woodland walk up the gorge of the River Arve, route known as Le Paradis des Praz. Calm and mysterious, away from the bustle of Chamonix and unaware of the Alpine granite giants in the clouds above. Fragrant and cool, always walking with the roar of the torrent alongside. We walked up the footpath from Chamonix-Mont Blanc (1038 m.) to Argentière (1250 m.) and returned on a narrow gauge (1.000 m.) train of the Mont-Blanc Express railway.
Lago Fiorenza (2133 m.) - Parco nazionale del Monviso
Albergo Plan del Rei (2020 m.), Mont Viso (3841 m.) and Le Pain de Sucre (3208 m.)
Hiking in the high valley of the River Po, around and above the sources of Italy's great river. Setting out from the Albergo Plan del Rei (2020 m.), our route was dominated by Mont Viso (3841 m.) and Le Pain de Sucre (3208 m.), stirring memories of previous hikes from the French side when I reached the summit of Le Pain de Sucre on a birthday.
More photos: Lago Fiorenza (2133 m.) - Parco nazionale del Monviso
The architecture of Valsavrenche - Parco nazionale del Gran Paradiso
The glacial valley national park of Valsavarenche retains some unique architecture high up the valley. The valley was long reserved a retreat for the kings of Savoy and then Italy. Development was limited and wildlife protected with hunting permitted only with the King’s assent, which usually meant his participation.
More photos: The architecture of Valsavrenche - Parco nazionale del Gran Paradiso
Grand St. Bernard Pass (2469 m.)
One of the most spectacular road passes in Europe, it joins Martigny (CH) and Aoste (I). The name Grand St. Bernard Pass is mythic, evoking Roman legionnaires and the big dogs of the hospice reviving medieval travellers with brandy. The Grand St. Bernard Pass fits in a itinerary on the way to Piedmont and Tuscany or as part of a tour of Mont Blanc.
Lac de Lauzon (2018 m.), Cirque glacière de Gioberney - Parc national des Écrins
Fantastic hike surrounded by granite peaks over 3000 m. Great views in ideal weather, enough melt water to power the waterfalls but still ice and snow higher up to top off the views. And autumn berries on the bushes.
More photos: Lac de Lauzon (2018 m.), Cirque glacière de Gioberney - Parc national des Écrins
Corsa 1.2 turbo (2025)
2025 petrol Corsa 1.2 turbo at the Col du Festre (1442 m.)
It’s a pleasure to drive this zippy 2025 petrol Corsa 1.2T, the T indicates a turbo. At last, a car from the hire companies that is both what I reserved and that’s enjoyable to drive. Yes enjoyable: the little Corsa is light, goes where I want it to and is nippy. The Sport button gives a useful lift in power at low to medium revs, eg for overtakes on mountain roads. The turbo comes in smoothly and unobtrusively, without a lurch to scare passengers. The one I’ve hired comes with the parking aids package etc and a previous hirer has sorted out the driver warnings so that they’re not annoying and distracting, as they often are on hire cars still on the default profile.
Cactus flowers
Great to be greeted by large flowers on one of the cacti in my balcony cactus garden in Marseille. Probably a variety of Echinopsis, maybe Echinopsis Formosa.
The Old Coach Road by MTB - Lake District National Park
Looking back towards Blencathra, Skiddaw, St John’s in the Vale and Keswick
C2C off-road
Mountain bike ride on The Old Coach Road east of Keswick (U3132 & U2236). It’s a struggle up to Hausewell Brow (437 m.) from St John’s in the Vale, both the climb and the rocks in the roadway. But there are big views as you go of Blencathra (868 m.), then from the road’s summit the view opens out towards Great Mell Fell (547 m.) and the Pennine Ridge, even seeing by eye the outline of the Lowther Hills across the Solway Firth in Dumfries.
Round and home to Keswick over Calvert’s Bridge and Brundholme Road, avoiding the parkrun traffic on the K2T trail.
More photos: The Old Coach Road by MTB - Lake District National Park
‘The Marriage of Figaro’ from Glyndebourne at the Proms 2025
A lively, modern performance of W.A. Mozart’s classic comic opera at the Proms. Figaro harks back to an earlier and apparently simpler time, of servants and Countesses; nonetheless there is a war somewhere. But seeing “The Marriage of Figaro” in a semi-staged version of Glyndebourne’s new production is an escape from the realities of our era with some of W.A. Mozart’s most sublime music.
Read more: ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ from Glyndebourne at the Proms 2025
Isle of Man TT Mountain Course 2025
Pits, grandstand and start/finish
Cronk-y-Voddy
Road riding is my thing, not track days, so when the forecasts looked fine for a ride round the TT Course on the Isle of Man, I was happy and excited to book the trip.
