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Old 7th December 2010, 12:59   #1
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A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

So, this time what's in here?

A short [ya, 5 hrs is short for us, isn't?] and sweet drive on the coast of Italy and France.

I had a business requirement [let me stress this, to WORK] to visit Rousset in south of France. As usual very eager to drive, packed the stuff, loaded the car, and myself also with a good breakfast.

Started 8:30am from the Hotel. Since the hotel was very near to the motorway, was good to avoid the morning crowds on city.

It had snowed badly the previous couple of days, and I had a little fear if its advisable to drive on this Saturday.

But, why not?

So, enjoying the white background of snow on both side of the roads, here I am cruising towards Rousset. A solid 500+ KMs with pretty long distance along the coast.

Wait wait... time for the teaser pics!


A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-snow1.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-snow2.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-bridgepano2.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-3.jpg

It was a challenge to take pictures. Because, they have carefully avoided parking bays so the traffic is not disturbed with the crowds taking pictures.

But do you think that will stop we guys? So, wait for somemore pics...

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Old 7th December 2010, 23:27   #2
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Hard to judge the weather here. It was sunny outside and suddenly it turned out to be foggy. The visibility was like couple of meters only. Guys here are the one optimally utilizing their headlamps

some more pics taken along the trip.

Get, set go...

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-1_starting.jpg


A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-2_road.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-3_road.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-4_snow.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-5_foggy.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-6_stopping.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-7_coast.jpg

Bridge just before the Genova

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-8_bridge.jpg

Do you notice the Sea?

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-9_coast.jpg

Now much clearer...

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-91_coast.jpg
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Old 8th December 2010, 11:53   #3
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

Once I crossed Genova, I stopped for re-fueling and that's when I see that the Fuel lid for the car was not there

So, did not fill full tank and continued my journey.

Tunnel - Noticed numerous tunnels all through the routes
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-1_tunnel.jpg

curves - we all love it, right?
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-2_roads.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-7_roads.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-8_almost_there.jpg

View of the Coast
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-4_coast.jpg

More closer look
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-5_coast.jpg

One more thing I noticed is, especially once you enter Nice, too many tolls for every couple of KMs. Wow, that was too much. Seems there are some charges like congestion charge etc included for all the cars entering in.

Bridge
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-6_bridge.jpg

Thankyou Michelin
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-9_thanks.jpg

Welcome to my city
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-91_welcome.jpg

Last edited by mjothi : 8th December 2010 at 12:04.
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Old 8th December 2010, 13:31   #4
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

>>>
mjothi,

Your drive is fascinating, since you are doing the Cote d' azur. Rousset is near Aix -en-Provence. Rousset has the chip manufacturers STM et. al. Do compose an excel on your journey through the A10/E80 near the Franco-Italian border. Did you also take the A57 or the N98?

Regards, enjoy the Cote!
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Old 8th December 2010, 14:34   #5
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

You have a Ford - there is no filler cap - I got caught out and escalated to hire company thne the lady at the call centre told me even her husbands cars does nto have one
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Old 8th December 2010, 15:46   #6
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

Great drive account, mjothi. What speeds were you doing? And how expensive were the tolls - say, for x kms?

Looks like you had mostly clear weather (except for some foggy sections) and no snowfall.
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Old 8th December 2010, 20:25   #7
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

Quote:
Originally Posted by issigonis View Post
>>>
mjothi,

Your drive is fascinating, since you are doing the Cote d' azur. Rousset is near Aix -en-Provence. Rousset has the chip manufacturers STM et. al. Do compose an excel on your journey through the A10/E80 near the Franco-Italian border. Did you also take the A57 or the N98?

Regards, enjoy the Cote!
That's exactly here I went to work sir This time I dont want to go towards the Aix. So, tried a different places for the weekend.

Specifically, this place..

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-1_google.jpg

I took the A10.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ajmat View Post
You have a Ford - there is no filler cap - I got caught out and escalated to hire company thne the lady at the call centre told me even her husbands cars does nto have one
Good one there...

Quote:
Originally Posted by hvkumar View Post
Great drive account, mjothi. What speeds were you doing? And how expensive were the tolls - say, for x kms?

Looks like you had mostly clear weather (except for some foggy sections) and no snowfall.
Mostly around 130kmph.

About the toll, I will calculate once I get my card statement. Will update it here.
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Old 12th December 2010, 20:08   #8
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

So, finally reached the Hotel.
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-1_reached.jpg

When I reached Rousset this time, I had 2 places in mind to visit.

One was the Saint Victorie. 2nd was the Arles.

I started to Saint Victorie. I decided to take the Le Tholonet route since many sites mentioned it would be very nice to view the mountain from this town.

Here are few pictures on the way.

Diesel Price - Cheaper in India?

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-1_diesel.jpg

Weekend Rides,

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-2_weekend.jpg
Seen a plenty on the highway moving towards the coast. Most people have this for the holiday.

Next thing was the caravan.

Some of the roads to the Mountain

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-3_turn.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-4_curves.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-5_roads.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-6_roads.jpg

Directions to the croix.

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-7_signs.jpg

Start of the climb
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-8_start.jpg

Nature
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-9_tree.jpg

croix de provence
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-91_cross.jpg

This is where we are suppose to reach.

But as we say, there is always something that waits for you when you wait for something else.
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Old 12th December 2010, 20:44   #9
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

I see that they have a well planned parking for the people who would like to climb / trek the mountain. Parked the car and got out of the car.

And I see the nature was so happy and pouring showers of love. But at the wrong time.

I did not had my raincoat, or a thicker jacket too. Anyway, since I was already there thought of giving a try. Tried to start the trek. Trekked almost about an hour or so and found that I can't continue further.

The rain was so cold, add to that wind. It was making me go frozen. Also, the jacket I had started to give it away. The water was now getting in.

So, with a hard heart I said a good bye to the mountain, and started to climb down carefully.

And due to rain was not able to take some pictures too. Managed a couple of them and descended.

Now for the pictures

Logs to help the climb

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-1_climb.jpg

Windy

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-2_windy.jpg

Balumahendra touch. Lol...

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-3_crox_at_back.jpg

Climb

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-4_climb_routes.jpg

Beautiful views

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-5_view_road.jpg

Almost near the Moutnain

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-6_house.jpg

Parking lot, in some town on the way

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-7_pano.jpg

The return

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-8_heading_back.jpg

Sadly, I returned back to the Hotel. And at this time, I never thought this was all for a good...
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Old 12th December 2010, 22:23   #10
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

>>>

Terrific drive and experience.
Do create an excel, which will show us the route related details. What was the (outside) temperature in Rousset?

Regards, drive safe
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Old 13th December 2010, 08:07   #11
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

Quote:
Originally Posted by issigonis View Post
>>>

Terrific drive and experience.
Do create an excel, which will show us the route related details. What was the (outside) temperature in Rousset?

Regards, drive safe
Thanks.

I did not note down the timing for the drive. But anyway, will try to get the route details soon.

I was little lucky. In the week I went to Rousset, the temperature was around 8-10deg C.

The weekend was lower around 3-4.

It had been -6 couple of days before I arrived
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Old 13th December 2010, 15:47   #12
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

I returned back to hotel with frustration.

But I was not able to digest that I am wasting a Sunday. So, was google-ing and that's when I see this huge lake. Was less than 25KMs from my hotel.

Beautiful sat-view from Google Earth

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-on_google.jpg

My Tom-Tom was so adamant and old fashioned, that as per him he did not have any roads from D10 to the lake.

Ok, decided to give it a try and see how it goes. Luckily, Tom-Tom. was able to find the Saint Marc Jaumegarde, which is somewhere around the lake. So, started from Hotel again. The hotel was on the D6, near the Industrial zone of Rousset.

Even though it was still raining, I was not in a mood to say no because of that. Started the car, and in next 30 minutes, reached Saint-Marc Jaumergade. Now what?

I just thought of driving little further and once I did, I see this right turn from the D10 with signs saying "Le Barrage de Bimont". The moment I see this Bimont, got happy and prayed that it should reach there without any issue. Cursing myself for not taking up the french in the schools, took that right.

In next around 10 minutes of drive, I reach the parking lot. It was empty with just 2 more cars. But I did not see any people around.

Went to the gate, but it had so many instructions and timing in the French. Not sure, if we can enter or not.

What does it say? Can I go?
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-92_entry.jpg

Who cares!!!
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-7_entry.jpg

Just took some courage and wet inside the gate. Luckily, no one stopped. Infact no one was present to see me.

So, I walk around and see these massive Lake.

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-8_lakebimontpano.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-1_panoview.jpg

WoW was the word. Here I am standing near the lake, and took my camera. Switched on.

Damn it. It just smiled saying "No memory card".

Being a photo enthu, I was like jumping into the river. Ok, I know. It was too much. Anyway, technology is so advanced now. I always use to wonder why these gadgets need to be multi-use when, its much better if they just do their work.

No I was wrong. Today, my savior was my phone. Ya, all picture courtesy was my Blackberry. Thanks RIM.

And also thanks to the nature, for stopping the rain just for 5 to 10 minutes for me to have a good photo session.

Here comes the pictures

View of the lake

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-2_lake.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-6_lake.jpg

Information on the canal/lake
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-3_board.jpg

Yours truly, standing on the bridge

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-4_dam.jpg

This is where yours truly was standing!
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-5_dam.jpg

Cycle parking

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-91_cycle_parking.jpg

Time to Return

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-9_trees.jpg

Now, the weekend is complete. And not just complete, but definitely a worthy one.

And time to get ready for the next days work.
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Old 14th December 2010, 10:23   #13
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

The next couple of days went busy with the customer.

And it was Wednesday, and my trip back to Milano.

The climate was not bad, in the sense, the temperature was around 8degC.

Started morning around 8:30am after my breakfast, thinking to beat the traffic.

But, the motor way is full of monster trucks. I wonder if they do have holiday on weekends. Because, I did not encounter many of them during my drive from Milano to here, which was on a Saturday.

I did not stop anywhere for pictures till entering the city of Cannes.

Parked the car in the Autogrill, and was amazed with the surrounding views. Although the climate was foggy, it had a clear view of the sea/coast.

Some pictures captured.

View of the coast

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-1_cannes.jpg

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-7_pano_city.jpg

Rain rain go away

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-3_cont_rain.jpg

Nannaittu Nokio - connecting ghats

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-4_bridge.jpg

Panorama - Covered mountain

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-5_pano_snow.jpg

Focus-ing the FORD

A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-6_focuing_ford.jpg

Toys - Bob-the-builder and his junior
A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.-2_bob_the_builder.jpg
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Old 14th December 2010, 10:46   #14
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

Nice pictures mjothi.Enjoying the travelogue and your narration.
Nannaittu Nokio - connecting ghats looks to be a engineering marvel.
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Old 14th December 2010, 11:35   #15
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Re: A different coastal drive - Milano to Rousset.

>>>

Try to do the Millau viaduct when convenient, driving across the Cote and record it in an excel - that will be something.

From Marseilles through Nimes, skirting the Cevennes National Park, then southwards to the Millau viaduct, on to the A75, finally reaching Montpelier and back through the Cote. In a BMW M3. Sigh. A dream drive.

Midpoint between the A75 and the N106 is a hamlet called Ganges!

Regards, drive safe
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