Well as the football pundits would say, this was a tour of two halves!

With the exception of one everyone used the Hull-Zeebrugge ferry for this one. The ferry arrived on time but as usual the tortuous time it takes to get off and through passport control meant we did not get away till after 10.30.

Our journey was frustrated further by the roadworks and usual Friday congestion around Brussels and Luxemburg, however, we all arrived safely and in plenty of time for a beer in the sunshine before dinner.

The following day started bright enough and we passed through Baden Baden to enjoy the B500 in the dry, unfortunately it was not to last, and the cloud soon came down and brought rain that stayed with us for the next 36 hours. At one time I thought the rain cloud was fastened to my bike (an inside joke) as we would ride out of it, only for it to catch up.

Passing through Switzerland we crossed the Flüela Pass with low cloud and snow on the ground only to emerge into sunshine on the Austrian side. Blinking like rabbits caught in headlights we stopped and started to strip off the layers of waterproofs and clothing that had been invaluable for the last 2 days.

From here the weather only got better and better as everyone enjoyed their time in the Italian Alps. Needless to say the ‘Stelvio’ was on everybody’s bucket list, and needless to say everyone said, well it was ok but I would not bother again!!  Lake Como also proved popular, whilst everyone (apart from those who do not like exposed heights) were blown away by the Gavia Pass.

The temperature rose for our journey across to Switzerland, two of my favourite passes the Furkha and Grimsel were at their best and although some big black clouds threatened we got to Grindelwald dry.

Everyone went their own way the following day, there was not a cloud in the sky, so was a perfect day to take the train to the Jungfrau – this is almost getting to a point of being too expensive – but with perfect conditions it would have been a shame not to bite the bullet and go.

Having done the Jungfrau a couple of times over the years, we decided to follow that intrepid navigator Allan Laing and went up to the revolving restaurant on the Schilthorn, which starred in the James Bond Movie.  After several, trains, rack railways and cable cars we finally made it to enjoy the stunning views.

I think in all the times we have gone to Switzerland this was some of the best weather we have ever enjoyed.

Our return took us back past the stunning lake Lausanne before crossing back into France via the Jura Mountains. Our proposed route was compromised by the Tour de France Cycle race, so we cut it short, which got us to the hotel in time for a swim and beer before dinner.

Thanks to everyone who sent me pictures, sorry I have not had the time to include them all, but hopefully the ones I have put in the gallery will bring back the memories. A lot of new faces on this tour, so I was glad that it went so well after an initial disappointing start. As I said, a tour of two halves, guess that’s motorcycling.