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Travel Blog: The Best Way to Portray your own Travel Experience

There are many people who are constantly doubtful about publicizing. Competition is wild in nearly all fields. At the point when everybody says their service is the best, which can be trusted? This doubt is particularly valid in the travel field, in light of the fact that nobody needs an awful excursion experience. Thus, by what method would you be able to keep an awful travel experience? Read a travel blog. A travel blog is an extraordinary approach to get an inside and out take a gander at distinctive travel areas. In the time of innovation, anybody can blog, which implies you can discover a travel blog from a true individual. This individual isn't an expert, simply an individual who delights in voyaging and composing. With no sponsorship behind their words, a travel website provides for you the best data.

A best aspect concerning travel websites is they cover all diverse areas. A travel online journal is essentially an individual record of a get-away experience. You can discover a travel blog composed by an individual in your specific situation. For instance, in case you're a mother of three and looking to book a fantasy family get-away, read a travel blog composed through the eyes of a mother. This sort of destination information blog will provide for you a recording of any family end, highlighting the variables mothers consider vital. Are there enough bathrooms? Is it accurate to say that it is sheltered? Did the children have a great time? These inquiries can be replied, with a travel blog. Obviously, family travel blogs are not by any means the only sort of travel blogs. Travel blogs for sentimental getaways, individual outings, technology tips and advice and many more are available.

An alternate extraordinary thing around a travel online journal is explorers have the capacity pay it forward. It's not difficult to set up a website account and compose your individual travel blog. Composing a travel blog is great for your readers, and for your gang. There are few better approaches to catch deep rooted memories, than through a travel blog. A travel website can bring back memories. Your friends and family and travel partners can read your travel blog ten years not far off, and encounter all the memories once more. It's stunning how your words can bring make a trip encounters to life. Whether you're searching for an extraordinary spot to travel, or have the yearning to help other people, a travel website can offer assistance.

Travel Blogs are the Good Source of Providing Information

Individuals are constantly incredulous about publicizing. Rivalry is furious in just about all fields. At the point when everybody says their administration is the best, which can be trusted? This wariness is particularly valid in the travel field, on the grounds that nobody needs an awful get-away experience. Along these lines, in what capacity would you be able to keep a terrible travel experience? Read a travel blog. A travel web journal is an extraordinary approach to get an inside and out take a gander at diverse travel areas. In the time of engineering, anybody can blog, which implies you can discover a travel blog from a true individual. This individual isn't an expert, simply an individual who appreciates voyaging and composing. With no sponsorship behind their words, a travel site provides for you the best data.

Destination Information blog a best aspect about blog while traveling is that they cover all diverse areas. A travel online journal is just an individual record of an excursion experience. You can discover a destination information blog composed by an individual in your specific situation. For instance, in case you're a mother of three and looking to book a fantasy family excursion, read a travel blog composed through the eyes of a mother. This sort of travel online journal will provide for you a recording of any family end of the line, highlighting the elements mothers consider essential. Are there enough bathrooms? It is safe to say that it is sheltered? Did the children have a great time? These inquiries can be replied, with a travel blog. Obviously, family travel web journals are by all account not the only kind of travel online journal. Travel online journals for sentimental getaways, individual outings, thus considerably more are accessible.

An alternate incredible thing around a travel online journal is explorers have the capacity pay it forward. It's not difficult to set up a website account and compose your individual travel blog. Composing a travel site is wonderful for your readers and for your gang. There are few better approaches to catch long lasting memories, than through a travel blog. A travel website can bring back memories. Your friends and family and travel mates can read your travel blog ten years not far off, and encounter all the memories once more. It's astounding how your words can bring set out encounters to life. Whether you're searching for an extraordinary spot to travel, or have the craving to help other people, a travel website can offer assistance.

Things to be Carried before Going on a Vacation Trip

Have you ever accomplished a genuine fiasco whilst on vacation? If not, it’s simply a matter of time. It has been said there are two sorts of voyagers, those that have encountered an issue vacation and those that are as of now going to.

Here is introduced some straightforward and paramount travel tips that anyone can take after to simplicity fly out to any area on the planet. If your holiday is location independent then it is very much beneficial as it will help you in saving your time and money as well.

Before voyaging, the individual must make strict methodology on the booking to stay away from issues that can make while voyaging. Today, the internet makes it simple to book online yet issues can happen. The voyager must check all these booking systems before going with a week particularly if he will go via air. The reports additionally of voyaging must be conveyed in a few duplicates to discover them at need.

An alternate second tip is to convey the essential things while voyaging. These things can fluctuate from coordinated yet the most crucial are the legislature ID, the passport, cash, licenses, Visa, garments cellular telephones, etc. The digital nomad might likewise convey a few books and Mp3s.

Taking after the two tips above alone can promise voyaging wherever on the planet.

Tip three is an alternate critical tip that keeps explorers from scratching off their travel. The explorer must guarantee that all local matters are determined and tucked into couch, for example, paying all records, specifically civil administrations; crossing out any conveyances; guaranteeing access is accessible to a trusted companion or relative in the occasion of a flame or crisis.

The past tips structure the essential travel tips and they are valuable before voyaging. The accompanying travel tips concern in the wake of travailing.

The fourth tip is to choose the right occasion that suits the need. Numerous individuals plan on their occasions to take a long adventure after a focused on year. Other individuals might simply visit one or two urban communities or nations at most relying upon the status and the financial backing. Numerous nations are appealing for occasions, for example, London, Paris, and New York. Arranging great where to visit will bring about a decent vacation that suits your needs. The fifth tip for voyaging is about how to find any data that you require in the destination nation. The most ideal route is through the web. It is obviously make it simple to discover diverse sorts of data about the nation you are going to or when you are in travel.

Assume for instance you need to visit a certain layout or to get into some town. The spot you are ventured out to may appear bizarre. Everything you can to do is to search for a web association close to you and search for that place. Goggle gives incredible apparatus to looking that data called goggle map. It indicates precisely the area of whatever spot you like to see on the planet.

Get the Best Travel Tips from Online Travel Websites

Individuals are constantly incredulous about publicizing. Rivalry is furious in practically all fields. At the point when everybody says their services are the best, which can be trusted? This wariness is particularly valid in the travel field, on the grounds that nobody needs an awful excursion experience. In this way, in what manner would you be able to keep a terrible travel experience? Read a travel blog. A travel website is an incredible approach to get an inside and out take a gander at distinctive travel areas. In the time of engineering, anybody can blog, which implies you can discover a travel blog from a true individual. This individual isn't an expert, simply an individual who revels in voyaging and composing. With no sponsorship behind their words, a travel online journal provides for you the best data.

A best aspect concerning travel web journals is they cover all distinctive areas. A travel website is just an individual record of an excursion experience. You can discover a travel blog composed by an individual in your specific situation. Case in point, in case you're a mother of three and looking to book a fantasy family excursion, read the best travel tips composed through the eyes of a mother. This sort of travel online journal will provide for you a recording of any family goal, highlighting the elements mothers consider critical. Are there enough bathrooms? Is it true that it is sheltered? Did the children have a great time? These inquiries can be replied, with a travel blog. Obviously, family travel online journals are by all account not the only kind of travel web journal. These location independent travel websites are mainly used for sentimental getaways, individual outings, thus significantly more are accessible.

An alternate extraordinary thing around a travel web journal is explorers have the capacity pay it forward. It's not difficult to set up a web journal record and compose your individual travel blog. Composing a travel website is amazing for your pursuers and for your gang. There are few better approaches to catch deep rooted memories, than through a travel blog. A travel website can bring back memories. Your friends and family and travel partners can read your travel blog ten years not far off, and encounter all the memories once more. It's astounding how your words can bring head out encounters to life. Whether you're searching for an incredible spot to travel, or have the craving to help other people, a travel web journal can offer assistance.

Source:-  http://workingfromanywhere.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-1.html

Travel Blogging: The Best Way to Understand your Vacation Spot

Individuals are constantly wary about promoting. Rivalry is savage in just about all fields. At the point when everybody says their administration is the best, which can be trusted? This distrust is particularly valid in the travel field, on the grounds that nobody needs an awful get-away encounter. Thus, in what manner would you be able to keep a terrible travel experience? Read a travel blog. A travel site is a extraordinary approaches to get a top to bottom take a gander at diverse travel areas. In the period of engineering, anybody can blog, which implies you can discover a travel blog from a true individual. This individual isn't an expert, simply an individual who appreciates voyaging and writing. With no sponsorship behind their words, a travel website provides for you the best data.

A best aspect concerning travel web journals is they cover all distinctive areas. A travel web blogging is essentially an individual record of an excursion experience. You can discover a travel blog composed by an individual in your specific situation. Case in point, in case you're a mother and looking to book a fantasy family excursion, read a travel blog composed through the eyes of a mother. This sort of travel online journal will provide for you a recording of any family end, highlighting the elements mothers consider critical. Are there enough bathrooms? Is it true that it is sheltered? Did the children have a great time? These inquiries can be replied, with a travel blog. Obviously, family travel online journals are by all account not the only kind of travel website. Travel sites created by many travel bloggers for sentimental getaways, individual outings, along these lines significantly more are accessible.

An alternate incredible thing around a travel web journal is explorers have the capacity pay it forward. It's not difficult to set up an online journal record and compose your individual travel blog. Composing a travel website is great for your readers, and for your gang. There are few better approaches to catch long lasting memories, than through a travel blog. A travel website can bring back memories and many travel tips too. Your friends and family and travel allies can read your travel blog ten years not far off, and encounter all the memories once more. It's stunning how your words can bring fly out encounters to life. Whether you're searching for an extraordinary spot to travel, or have the yearning to help other people, a travel online journal can offer assistance.

So enjoy your vacation with a great travel blog site!!!

Source:- http://jindalbullion.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-5.html

Turning into a Location Independent Professional

Producing a wage with a business that might be run from anyplace is the fantasy of numerous individuals who might want to be location independent.

There are different approaches to profit as a customary consultant (visual communication, web outline, creator and so forth.). The accompanying recommendations are more thoughts of the individuals who don't have the average outsourcing aptitudes

1) Virtual Assistant to different experts - A location independent, proficient has extraordinary necessities regarding searching for help. They require some person to research their venture arrangements (flights and settlement), help running their business as they venture to the far corners of the planet and general administrative support.

2) Online Coach - There are any number of undiscovered specialty coaching organizations which I can consider. On the off chance that you as of now run an instructing business, however it’s not doing fine yet to give you a chance to carry on with your area free life, and then consider tapping into a portion of the corners out there to develop or add extra streams to your business.

3) Blog & compose online for pay - There are numerous destinations which pay you to blog & advertise certain administrations. Attempt website systems which could help you get a paid blogging post.

4) Build an enrolment or membership site - Whilst this may take a while to develop enormous enough to pay you an average salary, it is viably a latent stream of wage which is the thing that an area autonomous expert ought to dependably be searching for.

5) How To items - Like the online mentor business, consider what information you have or things you've attained that others would pay to learn and afterward get imaginative with the diverse conveyance groups you could use to impart this learning (ebooks, sound books, features, gathering classes and so forth.).

And remember, in case you're shrewd about where you pick for your location independent  way of life, your monetary prerequisites could drop radically and empower you to carry on with a far superior way of life than you right now live in spite of procuring less.

Tips for Location Independent Professionals

Being location independent professional is more than simply having the capacity to work from coffeehouses and shorelines through a portable computer, whilst chatting with customers around the world. The real location free proficient will invest a considerable measure of time really travelling around. A short time back, read an article on the site as to travel tips for ambitious people, which was truly well known. In any case, this was pointed more towards individuals who are normally situated in the same location, who head out occasionally and needed to augment their work on the jump, through using certain business travel tips.

Thus, for the more travelling current business people that read the website who share tips and stories, here are a pack of basic tips that you can use to expand the time you use out and about travelling around, and by and large delight in the travel itself, somewhat more than common.

Avoid Airline Foods

For any of us who have invested any constant undetermined, we all realize that air transport sustenance is appalling.

That, as well as the snacks that they offer is generally either:

Ø  Too small.

Ø  Sometime too salty.

Ø  Just plain.

Continuously verify that you express a conventional determination of nutritious, solid snacks in your portable bag. These might be anything from a basic biscuit, a fruit, right the path down to prebottled protein shake.

Travelling around softly as a roaming ambitious person and location independent professional is an absolute need. Pack all that you can into one bag, or knapsack and take simply indisputably the minimum needs in your grasp convey. When travel by and by, normally have essentially the same stuff in portable bag, to be specific:

Ø  Laptop & USB Hard Drive

Ø  Cell Phone & Charger

Ø  Notebook & Pen

Ø  Snacks & Vitamin C

Ø  Passport

Relax and Rejuvenate

Frequently when location independent experts are travelling, they concentrate on different business travel tips and not most likely the most supreme travel tip ever. What's more, that is, to rest appropriately? Yes, it is advisable that always carry a pillow for sound sleep while you are travelling for your business tour.

So there you have it, a gathering of business travel tips for the cutting edge, ambitious person, location free proficient and nomadic adventurer determined to profit from a laptop or notebook.

Few Tips for Blogging while Travelling

Are you planning for travelling and taking a long leave from the hectic daily schedule, And as a blogger missing blog writing, here are a few tips to write a blog while travelling and also maintain your blog with updating content on a regular basis.

1.       Never update about your Leave - This possibly goes without saying anything, but it is very important to mention here! Never forget that your blog or content is public and syndicate din all social media websites and Networking websites. A person can read and see them very easily, so you should never make any statements or even declare to the fact that you will be out of your work that is very popular for all, until you return. Please always prefer to post a guest blog while travelling, never do this. But, yes, you could ask for guest posts before 4, 5 week to your trip. Always post a guest post in a week, and spend your additional time writing your own fresh content for the week you will be on travel. Through these steps you have always fresh content for your blog while you are away.

2.       Limit Your Work time - If you have already planned to use the laptop or mobile apps for writing at all while you are out of the station always make sure your time limitation with writing blogs. It is incredible what can be achieved in even just 10 minutes a day, if you will remain strict with yourself.

3.       Hoot suite -  If you are single the person who is handling own social networking websites and all public sites, then preshedule your social media post from your mobile in your absence using Hoot suite or another  social website that permits you to reschedule social media posts. In my opinion that these types of programs sometimes drop tweets or statuses, but it’s fine without posting any single tweet or post, post few while travelling.

4.       Write it in the Diary or Notebook – If you do not want to do blogging while travelling in the proper way to open the laptop and write down with dedication, just keep a diary and write into it and once you returned from travelling post it.

Through all the above mentioned way you will have fresh content and able to post it once you return from the travel.

Retain staff and save money

A most recent situation has given me the opportunity to take a break from the "how to" blogs and report a bit about "what happens if?". 

There are many cost saving and other benefits that come with setting up your business to be able to  "Work from Anywhere" and retaining staff is probably not one that may immediately come to mind but believe me it is a big one.

Losing key personnel out of your business can be a very costly exercise in so many ways.The cost of employing and training a new staff member is significant, not to mention the fact that being able to get the "right" one is not that easy. 

A good existing team member not only has the skills but also the knowledge of how your business works, a relationship with your clientele and suppliers and is able to assist in running the business without supervision. 

Some of the scenarios may be you have staff that is:

• Returning from maternity leave and are unable to secure childcare places
• Relocating to be with partner or family
• Wanting to travel or temporarily relocate as a lifestyle choice but still would like to continue employment

If you have set your business up to "Work from Anywhere" you can offer the option for your key staff members to continue employment from wherever they are located and hence avoid the pain and cost of replacing them.

I speak from most recent experience on this topic as I do in fact have an employee that is relocating and I was extremely pleased with myself for having the foresight to make sure that I was in the position to be able to offer her continuance of employment after her move. This to me is a great opportunity to take our "Working from Anywhere" concept to the next level, we have already well and truly tested it over shorter periods but not on an ongoing basis. I look forward to reporting back on the success of using the systems we have in place on a more permanent level.

I urge you to consider the enormous benefit of retaining your key staff members and cost benefits next time you are debating whether its worth the effort to make a few changes.

 

Setting up Skype in your business

A bit more about our experience with Skype as the key form of communication in our office. 
I previously outlined a few of the benefits, this post will get you to the deployment stage and then I will get to the day to day use on my next post.

Firstly I need to qualify that our business is only small so we have few staff members, consequently using Skype exclusively is not a problem for us, for larger businesses with more team members it may be more practical to use Skype in conjunction with your office system.

Here is the process we used to deploy Skype in our business

Skype Manager

Set up Skype Manager : The first thing you will need to do is sign up for Skype Manager for your business, Skype Manager allows you to set up and control user accounts, distribute subscriptions and many other functions.

Follow the instructions on the Skype Manager quick start guide to set up:

Register for Skype Manager : It is recommended that you create a new Skype account using your business name.

Add members to Skype Manager : it is possible to add users with personal accounts to your Skype Manager but these accounts will have restricted functionality so it is recommended that business accounts be created for team members.

Add Skype Credit : You will need to purchase Skype credit for your company, this credit can then be used to purchase products/subscriptions which in turn can be allocated to your team members.

Assign features to members : You can then allocate subscriptions, credit, numbers and other features to members

Numbers, subscriptions and credit

Request Skype numbers : You will need to request some Skype numbers, unfortunately it can be a bit of lucky draw and a pain staking process trying to secure some suitable numbers. We purchased a number for each user and an office number. You do have the choice of which area code you would like but the actual number is a matter of scrolling through the pickings and try to find some in sequence.  

Purchase some subscriptions : next you will need to purchase some Skype subscriptions, you will need to purchase these on a per user basis. There are some great unlimited subscription deals to be had, most of which give you unlimited calls to landlines worldwide for 12 months from less than $140.00.

Once you have purchased numbers, subscriptions and credit you will be able to allocate these to your members from within Skype Manager.

You should be all set and ready to go now, more about how to get the best out of Skype on a day to day basis will follow in my next blog…

Using Skype for flexibility and cost effectiveness

Changing your business phone over to use Skype may not have been a great idea a few years ago with call quality and other issues but now with the increase in internet speed and other improvements, using Skype for your business is a very viable option, the call quality is excellent and its very financially effective.

Most people relate the use of Skype as a useful way to keep in touch with family and friends by skype to skype calls or video but it can be so much more. Skype can be used very effectively in your business, even to he point of replacing your office phone system which is exactly the path we have taken. There is still some downside but the upside more than makes up for the this.

This is what we have done and what you can do to implement it in your business:

Skype number : you can request a Skype number, this is a local number and you are able to request the area code for where you are based. Clients/customers that call this number as a local call and you get to answer it where ever you are working from at the time even overseas. The cost of each number is AUD40.00 for 12 months.

Skype subscription : Skype subscriptions are great value, you can save huge amounts on your call costs, Skype currently has an unlimited premium subscription that includes unlimited calls to landlines and mobiles in over 50 countries for only AUD116.49 for 12 months. You will need to buy a subscription for each user but there is no doubt that each user is currently costing your company much more than this amount each year for their calls.

Call Quality : Forget about the bad old days of noisy lines and delayed voice, Skype call quality is very close to as good as landline and for overseas calls better, there is still a ever so slight delay but with a good internet connection this is hardly noticeable.

Instant Messaging : The other major benefit of using Skype is using the instant messaging function, I know there are plenty of other IM options out there but the whole idea is minimize the number of platforms you are using rather than switching from one to the other. One of the other benefits of using IM is that you can see when the person you would like to chat to is online. We use Skype IM as the main form of communication during the working day between staff members working from different locations, it is very effective.

This is a brief summary of the benefits and uses of Skype in your "Working from Anywhere" office or even for your bricks and mortar office, there is much more that I will address in a future post.

Time to start again

I recently spent some time with my sister Karen at her place "Sharing Bali" in the hills above Ubud in Bali. Traditional antique balinese bungalows all slightly different with outdoor bathrooms are set among the rice paddies in one of the most calming peaceful places you could ever imagine.
I spent a wonderful 4 nights at this amazing place, experienced some great jungle treks, canyon tubing, a flying fox, some fitness sessions with trainer Jo Sharp and some amazing fresh, tasty and healthy food.
My time at this wonderful place gave me the time to reflect and the motivation to get back into blogging about how I have created a lifestyle for myself by converting my conference and event management business to able to "work from anywhere".
There are so many benefits that have been realised from this change and I feel its worthwhile sharing. I will be sharing the why, how and the results with the hope that this encourages others to consider working towards this great lifestyle.

The Mexican Story

Following is an extract from the book "The 4 Hour Work Week" written by Tim Ferriss, a very simple explanation of why bigger is not necessarily better...

The Mexican Story

American consultant was at a pier in a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow-fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied only a little while.
The consultant then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?
The fisherman said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked the Mexican how he spent the rest of his time.
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor.”
The American consultant scoffed, “I am business consultant and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and, with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution.
“You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?”
To which the American consultant replied, “15-20 years.”
“But what then, senor?” asked the fisherman.
The consultant laughed, and said, “That’s the best part! When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public. You’ll become very rich, you would make millions!”
“Millions, senor?” replied the Mexican. “Then what?”
The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

Discovering Briancon

No work today, it's Sunday!!
Go up and out on the bike early keen to finish the challenge, nice and easy ride on the flat for 22kms and mission accomplished...at last!!!
I had decided on a road trip (in the car for a change) for today with the historic township of Briancon the destination of choice. The weather was a complete contrast to yesterday with hardly a cloud in the sky and the mountains looking magnificent with all the new snow.
The drive over included part of what I had ridden earlier in the month over Col du Lautaret, much easier in the car, then it was down the other side to Briancon, about a 80km trip over.

Briancon is the highest town in Europe, I spent my time there exploring the Cite Vauban of Briancon, a medieval old town that was a military city in the eighteenth century and is surrounded by fortifications. It was very easy to spend a good half day there wandering around in absolute awe of the structures, views and history.

Waking up to snow falling

This morning I woke up and looked out the window to see snow falling, quite amazing really considering the fact that summer starts next week. Anyway it was a good excuse to have a bit of a sleep in as well as a good opportunity to catch up on some more work.
I worked away up until just after lunch and then got tempted by the break in the weather to get out on the bike, another motivation was the fact that I had signed up for an online challenge to complete 813kms of riding between 13 and 26 May and I still had 123kms to go with only today and tomorrow left.
I headed out and found a couple of new hills to challenge the legs and then added a nice scenic traverse along another balcony type road that was more or less on the opposite side of the valley to the one I rode the other day.
Didn't get back until after 6pm and managed to clock up 104kms for the afternoon, leaving a mere 20kms to do tomorrow to complete the challenge.
Good day all round really!!

La Berarde - don't look down

Firstly for all you critics, I actually put in close to an 8 hour day of work today, ok maybe closer to 6 hours. Very inconvenient meant that I didn't get out on the bike until about 2pm, I'd decided to ride out to La Berarde which is a bit further on from the ride I'd previously done to Venosc, a good bit further on as it turned out.
The climb up to Venosc wasn't too bad and I'd done that one before but then the climb out of Venosc was a nice steep tough one, then a short bit of flat stuff beside the river before another tough climb up to St-Christophe-en-Oisans, after which the grade lessened off somewhat but still uphill. What a spectacular road and scenery though (again). another narrow road that seems to hang over the edge of the mountain, this one however didn't have any guardrail or wall of any sort so it was a case of "don't look down".
Another great ride and some more spectacular, remote mountain landscape!!!!

More about the bike and lifestyle rather than "working from anywhere"

Ok, so I have to admit that this blog has now become more about the cycling and the lifestyle here in the French Alps, all I can say in my defense of this is that you can only write so much on the working side of things, the bottom line is that the actual "Working from Anywhere" is working and working well.
Needless to say that today started off with some work, as I said what more can I say?
Then I'd picked out a 100km loop that was partly some of a route that I did the other day but in reverse and the middle part of the route a different direction. The route was named in the guide book as "Le tour du Plateau Matheysin par la Morte", this route started off going up Col d'Ornon the opposite side to my 93km loop that I did on Saturday, then moved back on the reverse direction as this ride until just after Valbonnes where it turned up towards La Morte and the ski resort of l'Alpe du Grand Serre.

the ski resort of l'Alpe du Grand Serre

The climb up to La Morte wasn't too bad or it could be a case that I'm just getting used to all the climbing, I stopped for some much needed lunch at  l'Alpe du Grand Serre, I would have stopped sooner but couldn't find anything open, a bit of a trap in these parts, you never know when they will be open.
Then it was a very exciting 12km descent into Sechilienne, as mentioned many times before the descents are an absolute thrill, roads are mostly smooth with lots of sweeping corners and the odd hairpin to keep you on your toes (or brakes). It was back to the highway home, a lengthy part of which is a gradual but consistent uphill so its a bit of a tough drag to finish, I was feeling pretty good by the time I got to my turnoff though so decided to keep going into Bour d Oisans to my favourite bakery to treat myself to coffee and cake before heading home, adding an extra 15kms to my trip, ended up 119kms for the day.
Certainly clicking up the km's, I've now covered close enough to 1000kms since I've been here and even more telling is I have now surpassed 20,000m of climbing, thats 20km's of vertical gain in 17 days!!!!!

Climbing up a rugged snow lined mountain

A bit of a hazard on the way!

I got up and into some work nice and early after yesterday's rest day off the bike, this had me finished early and set to get back out in the mountains for the best part of what was looking to be a stunning day.
Going through my handy cycling route guide (an excellent production provided free by the Tourist Information centre), I thought I'd put together a combination of a couple of the routes to cover a bit of extra ground.
A very good choice in the end that had me riding up a very rugged and narrow mountain road, climbing up the Col de Sarenne, from here it was a descent into Alpe d Huez on a snow lined road, breathtaking views on the way. I got to Alpe d Huez and had flat tyre which was easily fixed, then it was a coffee and baguette at the Indianna Bar & Cafe at the top of Alpe D Huez.
Next was a the exhilarating descent down the hairpins as far as la Garde-en-Oisans where I turned off to follow another mountain hugging road through Auris-en-Oisans, another spectacular road, a bit of climbing (yet again) but well worth it, passing through little tunnels on the way.
It was then a descent onto the main road back to Bourg d Oisans, stopping for another coffee en route back to Allemont.
A very nice 90km loop for the day, another great adventure in the French Alps.

Sunday is rest day

Feeling a bit weary from all the hard kms on the bike so attempted a rest day, hard as it is to resist the temptation of getting out there in mountain paradise. I was tempted to travel over to Valloire to watch Stage 15 of the Giro Italia but with all the road closures I would have had to travel half way around Europe to get there, so a rest day it is.
I thought I'd share some interesting observations on some of the things they do differently here, most of which I think are great:

In the Supermarket:

Huge range of fresh produce

• You bag up,weigh and put the price sticker on your own fruit and veggies while you shop.
• Wine, spirits etc are all available on the supermarket shelves mixed in with all the other items, and they are so cheap!!
• The range of fresh food is phenomenal, meats, cheeses, salamis and so many other delicacies, quite overwhelming.
• They don't have plastic bags at the checkout, you either bring your own bags or buy a recycleable one at the checkout (its taken me a bit to get used, finally remembered to bring my bags back last time).
• The checkout, the checkout staff don't bag your items, they simply scan them and toss them down the counter for you bag, combined with the fact that they don't have to weigh anything it makes for a very efficient and quick process.

Hours of Business:

This is one area where think the French have really got it right, not such thing as 24/7 trading here unless its an unmanned service station.

Not only do they not trade 7 days a week but some shops take a few hours off during the day, a small supermarket down the road from me is closed every day between 12.30pm and 3.30pm, a bakery might close for part of the later afternoon. 

Many shops are closed on Sunday and if they are open on Sunday they may have another random day off during the week, sometimes you never know sometimes its advertised (or maybe I just understand the French writing).

Also you'll find shops closed for several weeks or days at time while the owners have holidays.

Oh how I wish it was like this at home, I really hope they hang onto this tradition.

No household garbage collection

Rubbish:

They don't seem to have a household garbage collection as such, instead there large bins situated everywhere for you to place you garbage and recycleables, they seem for recycle conscious with the separate bins for each recycle type. Not a bad system I say.

Cycling:
Cycling is a big thing in France, especially in this cycling haven, the infrastructure and acceptance of cyclists is something to behold. There are cycle lanes on most of the main roads, there is signage advising motorists to give cyclists 1.5m clearance and the big one is that motorists actually respect this. Motorists will slow down and follow a cyclist until its safe to pass rather than get impatient and try and dangerously squeeze past.

and the motorists respect this!!!

It really is quite refreshing and I haven't witnessed a agitated motorist anywhere!!

That's just the few things I can think of for now, I'll keep you posted on any others as they come to mind