Travelling Europe

Wilson Trail hike

2006-05-11T11:33:00.000+02:00

Took a 90 minute hike from Hong Kong Parkview around Mount Butler, over Siu Ma Shan bridge and, left around shooting range to Braemar HIll by stream. A fresh second world war plaque has been erected close to start of trail (i.e. Parkview end) commemorating Canadian soldiers.

After two clearish days (Tuesday and Wednesday toward the end of the May week holiday) cloud cover was very low and visibility virtually zero. Perhaps a change in the wind or the fact that factories in Guangdong have resumed operations following end of the holiday. That said it was good to be walking in Hong Kong again and trail remained absent of people.

The following link provides greater detail on part of the stage walked. http://www.wilsontrailhk.com/t_section/section2.html

Portion of trail marked on HK marathon map. http://www.seyonasia.com/koth/hk.html"

Changi web access / cab to airport

2006-05-09T09:23:00.000+02:00

S$6 per half hour ; S$9 / hour
Cab ride from downtown to airport $$12.50 taking 20 minutes

Free web access at Vienna airport

2006-05-07T22:03:00.001+02:00

Logged on while waiting for connection and found that web access is free from the waiting area in Vienna airport. Enabled a skype message home, a dump of mail, and, a catch up on news.

Separately, the main focus of attention right now continues to be trying to work out how to import maps with facility for adding waypoints on each map. Have made some progress with useful plugin to WordPress for google earth. But not yet 100% success at this stage.

Mapping trails for blog posting

2006-05-06T16:42:00.000+02:00

Working on how to post maps of routes (hiked or biked) onto blog. The object being to transfer waypoints stored on GPS device (in this instance Magellan Meridian) to a map. And then to link the blog or post to the blog the map with the associated waypoints. Any help or suggestions would be welcome?

Portes du soleil été ticket prices

2006-05-06T03:08:00.000+02:00

Season:
CHF 1,038 adult, CHF 695 children (between 5-15) as individuals
CHF 882 adult, CHF 591 children as family ticket

By day:
CHF 55 adult, 37 child as individuals
CHF 46 adult, 31 child as family

10 days:
CHF 380 adult, 255 child as individuals
CHF 323 adult, 217 child as family

Portes du soleil été

2006-05-06T03:03:00.000+02:00

Information provided by Chablais Tourism SA is very useful i.e. season ticket prices for Portes du Soleil, VTT trails in conjunction with operating lifts, and, camp ground information for Valais region. Lifts open between 3rd June and mid October.

www.portesdusoleil.com

Switzerland camping resources

2006-05-05T18:29:00.000+02:00

Camping atlas

http://www.swisscamps.ch/GB/index.html

40,000 kms loop to Asia

2006-05-05T15:17:00.000+02:00

Air mileage calculator used ahead of upcoming trip.
GVA-VIE-BKK-SIN-HKG-MEL-HBA-MEL-HKG-IST-GVA

http://www.fv01.dial.pipex.com/aircalcf.htm

Spring /Autumn Ferry Timetable for Yvoire

2006-05-04T23:54:00.000+02:00

Source: Compagnie Generale de Navigation sur Le Lac Leman www.cgn.ch

For Period: 14 April - 24 May and 25 September - 29 October

Yvoire - Lausanne (Line 4):

15:10-16:55

Yvoire - Nyon:

11:23-11:45 (Line 8)

12:15-12:35 (Line 8)

12:20-12:47 (Line 4/8)

14:00-14:22 (Line 8)

15:38-15:58 (Line 8)

Yvoire - Nyon - Geneve Jardin Anglais (Line 3A)

15:15-16:52

16:50-18:32

Geneve Mont Blanc -Nyon - Yvoire (Line 3A)

10:00-11:39

Geneve Jardin Anglais - Nyon - Yvoire (Line 3A)

14:15-15:52

Nyon - Yvoire (Line 8):

09:20-09:40 (full fare Mon-Fri only)

11:48-12:10

12:50-13:10

13:30-13:52

14:25-14:47

Chateau de Coudree - Thonon - Chateau de Allinges

2006-05-03T22:46:00.000+02:00

FRANCE: GRP Littoral du Leman

Highlights: Sur Crete to Bois de Fonnaz leads out of Thonon to countryside. Gentle track up hill gives way to good downhill run to D12. Climb to Chateau de Allinges is steeper and rewards with wide panorama of Lake Leman and peaceful leafy surroundings. Great potential for wild camping. Downhill run from Allinges to Commelinges is fast. Care needed not to miss turn off to worthwhile track to Margencel.

* 30 kms loop taking 3.5 hours. Approx. 1 hour to Thonon along lake.
* Though free of traffic would not recommend the lake path as cycling through a wall of insects (attracted by water and hedges?)
* 1:60,000 scale 01 Leman Donnees IGN by Libris

Coudree to Anthony-Sur-Leman via Brecorens and Margencel

2006-05-02T20:21:00.000+02:00

2 May
FRANCE: GRP Littoral du Leman (MTB)

Highlights: mountain backdrop on route leaving Filly before N5; poor track signage entering Bois du Devant; Excellent (4-5kms) downhill track through Foret de Planbois leading to Les Etrables from Tuilera. Pleasant town Jouvernex.
30 kms loop taking 2 hours 40 minutes
Stopped at Carrefour in Anthony-sur-Leman and at Ecole de Voile Base Nautique de Sciez where individual sailing lessons can be had for E30/hr (sold by block of ten lessons) Tel: 04 50 72 62 77 (Jean Dunand)
http://www.pointplage.fr/site_175.asp

Artangy to Chens-sur-Leman

2006-05-02T20:11:00.000+02:00

1 May 2006
FRANCE: GRP Littoral du Leman (MTB)

Highlights were cycling toward lake along minor road to link up with GRP after leaving Artangy. Section of GRP leaving Chens toward Bois de Patteyi.
10 kms loop ride taking 1 hour with Mari

Essert to Messery

2006-05-02T20:06:00.000+02:00

30th April 2006
FRANCE: GRP Littoral du Leman (MTB)

8kms loop to car parked in Essert
Jake, Mari and I taking 90 minutes

Chateau de Coudree to Yvoire

2006-05-02T19:36:00.001+02:00

29 April 2006
FRANCE: GRP Littoral du Leman

Highlight was last 2.5 kms into Yvoire via track
10 kms distance one way via MTB (mountain bike)
2.5 hours outward to Yvoire with Jake and 1 hour back on own
Good picnic spot on bench at junction of road to Chevilly and Essert
Muddy surface conditions through Les Grandes Bois and Chappoan
Doable in 45 minutes each way to catch ferry.
Map reference (1:60,000) 01 Leman Donnees IGN by Libris