Puy de Dome heading East for Switzerland

It is that time again, a new road trip. This time we are off to Switzerland and Italy. For us that means  turn left and keep going! We will need some stops so we have planned our first night out at the camping car stop situated at the foot of the Puy De Dome, in the Auvergne. This is volcano country, in fact there are some  80 of them, making up the Chaine des Puys.
 After a quiet night we are up early and walking through the forest tracks that lead upwards, the air is full of Woodpecker and Crossbill calls, the air fresh.
There is also a super, modern cog railway that will speed you to the top or down.

Shivelight penetrating the deep forest.

At the summit, just over 4800feet up, the view over the Massif Central is fabulous.

A paved path allows easy walking around this Volcanic plug.

Below the ugly weather station sits a substantial Roman Temple dedicated to Mercury, during our visit closed for renovation. The view in an easterly direction, allows far views of Monte Blanc.

Leaving the Puy we travel slightly south in the search of the local renowned cheeses. Passing beautiful hamlets and more volcanic sights.

By the time we reach les Roches Tuiliere et Sandoire the light is fading. The Autumn colours are now starting to show in the forests.

We make another night stop, this time at Murol, with its powerful Medieval Chaeau. Time to enjoy the St- Nectaire and Cantal cheeses that we have purchased.

An early start crossing a remote part of the Auvergne.

There is not much traffic on these small roads, thank goodness! Just a occasional tractor.

We stop at Saint-Amant-Tallende for coffee, entering the Rue de la Boucherie through the low stone arch.

At Montpeyroux the clouds seem to skim our heads as we have lunch in this pretty village.

The road is starting to climb as we head east, we stop to admire the view over the river l'ain.

At the Lac Nantua the sun is warm and we decide to stop the night on the aire de camping car.

The perfect stopping place to enjoy a walk around this lake.

Sitting in the warm autumnal sun watching life on and around the lake.Tomorrow we will travel to Evian and cross the border to Montreux in Switzerland.