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Tusky Pie Dipper
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 11549
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Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:30 am Post subject: Swiss & Italian Alpine Tour 2010 |
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Swiss & Italian Alpine Tour 2010
Lauterbrunnen (based) Swiss Alps Tour
I am arranging for a small 'Private Group', of ex Swiss trippers and a few others, who have asked/nagged me to visit the Dolomites next year, however, I thought it would be rather nice and good fun, to run this trip in parellel with an 'Open Invitation' to Lauterbrunnen for forum members, this would mean you could stay in Lauterbrunnen and base your trips from there for a week, rather like we did in 2008. The Dolomite group would say goodbye after the first night and continue for an arduous and slighty more expensive week's touring into Italy and Austria. The hope is, that we would all go down to Lauterbrunnen together and return from there together, although this may be phased over two days on the way back to the Ferry/Tunnel.
The costs at Lauterbrunnen are pretty reasonable and the scenary is amazing, as you can see from the pics on the Swiss Trip 2008 Thread Link
Martin (Moriwaki) has confirmed that he is happy to stay at Lauterbrunnen for the week and act as Lauterbrunnen leader Big thanks to Martin for agreeing to do this
Here we go.....
Saturday 21st August 2010
Meeting at ours, or Calais, if preferred and then getting the early ferry/tunnel and follow this route Four Elms – Vosges Map Link 446 miles
We will be staying at this funky place for the night Bubble Hotel Link
Sunday 22nd August
Travelling down to Lauterbrunnen taking in one of the Vorges region's best biking roads. [url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=88110+R%C3%A2on-l'Etape&daddr=N66+to:47.774406,7.130127+to:Route+de+Vendlincourt+to:Lauterbrunnen,+Interlaken,+Berne,+Switzerland&geocode=FQKe4gIdPmRoACkTDtQp0IyTRzEwdzeauV8KBA%3BFWBo2gIdgmJrAA%3B%3BFYDM0wIdaBFtAA%3BFYT7xgIdoqh4ACkrGkXACaCPRzHw9BhAiP8ABA&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=11&via=1,2,3&sll=47.794707,7.058029&sspn=0.321052,0.862427&ie=UTF8&ll=47.580231,9.18457&spn=2.579038,6.899414&z=8]Vosges – Lauterbrunnen Map Link[/url] 186 miles
You will be staying in this chalet at Valley Hostel Lauterbrunnen Prices are pretty reasonable at £25 - £30 per night and cooking facilities are available. Please be aware that the first nights accommodation may be a bit mix and match due to numbers !!!
Monday 23rd August
The Dolomite Tour Group will split and head east in the morning and the Lauterbrunnen group will remain for a further 6-7 nights at the chalet until Sunday 29th or Monday 30th August (to be confirmed). That will leave plenty of time to explore the fabulous mountain passes found in the area.... here are some examples....
Suggested Day Tours from Lauterbrunnen
The Sorenberg Tour takes in some stunning scenery on the north side of Lake Thun before heading North and then East into the foothill farmsteads leading to Sorenberg and the modest 3396 ft Brunig Pass. This is a gentle run that is a nice change from the high mountain passes Sorenberg Tour Map Link 103 miiles
The Mont Blanc Tour is optional and may possibly involve an overnight stay due to the mileage Mont Blanc Tour Map Link 401 miles
The Simplon Pass and Locarno Tour is also optional and would be a long day it also involves putting the bikes on a train at Kandersteg for a trip under the mountain to the Sion Valley Simplon Pass and Locarno Map Link 261 miles
The Four Passes.... this is an absolute must, taking in the Grimsel (7103 ft), Nufunen (8130 ft) St Gotthard (6860 ft) and Furka Passes (7976 ft), using this route The Four Passes Map Link 157 miles
Forgetting motorbikes for a minute, there are some awesome places to visit and if you don't go up some of the mountain cable cars and trains, you are really missing out !!!
Sunday 29th / Monday 30th
Meeting up with the Dolomite group on the 29th August, probably at Chaumont in the evening or possibly at Lauterbrunnen / Interlaken midday for a bite to eat but only if the Dolomite Group fancy an extra 70 miles? (Sunday 29th) heading straight to Chaumont for those travelling back on the Bank Holiday Monday ferry/tunnel
Lauterbrunnen - Chaumont Map Link 248 miles
Ferry/Tunnel return to the UK (To be confirmed)
Total Mileage 2000 approx
The rules are simple.....
1) We go as a group but people are free to do their own thing.
2) The pace is pretty relaxed with occasional hoonage, especially when the road demands it. There will always be the facility for people to go faster or slower, if they require it but they would need to let me know, so that I can plan meeting points.
3) You must arrange your own insurance, recovery and hire-bike if needed. Repatriation is your problem, as there will be no support vehicle.
4) If you're interested, you will need to fully commit that you intend to come (no hokey cokey) and pay me a £150 non refundable deposit ASAP. You will also need to book your rooms at the the Bubble Hotel for one night on the 21st August and another night (29th or 30th to be decided), as they require the payment of a 50% at time of booking.
5) People need to be self reliant, I will arrange accommodation at Valley Hostel but booking tunnel/ferries, hotels and alternative routes are your problem. You will be told time and place.... the rest is down to you !!
6) We all try to keep costs down by cooking spaghetti bolognese and pizzas etc. at the Valley Hostel or any other accommodation that has cooking facilities but you have to do your fair share of helping out.
If you're interested in doing this trip, you will need to budget £75.00 per day for fuel, food and accommodation. If you're taking a pillion, then budget £120.00 per day for the pair.
I will do my best to find rooms that suit your requirements, this will be based on who confirms and stumps up their deposit money first but please remember that accommodation on the Lauterbrunnen nights of Sunday 22nd and Sunday 29th may need to be rather 'group friendly' especially if numbers are high You also need to be aware, that the Dolomite Group will not be adding their names on this list and arrangements have and are already being made. _________________ Boxhill Chippendales
All characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Last edited by Tusky on Wed Mar 31, 2010 3:14 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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moriwaki Fleetwood Mac
Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Posts: 4076 Location: Stuck in the middle.
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Tusky Pie Dipper
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 11549
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Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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Following on from Martin's post, here are some pics of those Mountain Passes .
Susten Pass
A dramatic ascent through a wooded valley opens up to give you a view of the Titlis mountains.
A tunnel framing an amazing vista of the Titlis mountains
Looking down on the glacier at 6000ft, you can ride up the farm track and then walk to the glacier.
Moriwaki with the glacier in the background..
The Furka Pass
At the top of the Furka Pass and enjoying the snow
Looking at the descent route and the road to the Grimsel Pass in the distance
Ooh er Misses! Hope the ice melts
Time for a map
Lauterbrunnen is south of Interlaken on the map and the five mountain passes of interest are in the area indicated with the big red arrow.
Grimsel Pass
This give some idea of what the switchbacks are like on the southern approach to the Grimsel.
Hitting the snow line, the road in the background runs up to the Furka Pass
It may have been late August but this was one days snow
Looking north from Grimsel
Heading north from the Grimsel the terrain changes completely and becomes quite surreal at times
Nufenen Pass
At 8130ft this is the highest Swiss Pass, only took one pic as I was in awe of the road on the way up
St Gottard Pass
After leaving Nufenen you head down towards Italy and then up the new St Gottard Pass.
This is viewing the old St Gottard Pass great fun if you like cobble roads !!!
Looking to the right, it carries on like this for miles. Awesome stuff but forget trying to get your knee down.
See what it's like on a satellite photo
Simplon Pass
Ride to Kandersteg and stick the bike on the train which goes under the mountains.
Coming out in the Sion Valley there are some great views of the back of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.
Some of the villages can be a real step back in time
Cross the Sion Valley and head up the Simplon Pass and then descend on a spectacular road into Italy.
Valley Hostel Lauterbrunnen
Not too much of a shabby view to wake up to
_________________ Boxhill Chippendales
All characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. |
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Bacon bacon© Lil Mush
Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Posts: 1637 Location: "In a microclimate"
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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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I think I could well be up for this, put me on the list please
Paul _________________ Comfortably Numb
WooHoo, feck you job centre...I'm offski?
"One man can't make a riot, a one man riot is a tantrum"!
R.I.P Marco Simoncelli |
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andjel TT Racer
Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Posts: 1070 Location: On my way
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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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awesome, awesome, awesome!
I would love to be there. ST finances). _________________ Seguy il tuo corso el lashi di lagente
'mothman' - half man, half moth
Success is the result of good judgement. Good judgement is the result of experience. Experience is often the result of bad judgement.
"Ad acta" |
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Lil Mush Silent but violent
Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 3343 Location: Chez les frogs apparently
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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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I am very interested, but cannot yet commit to anything... _________________
Last edited by Lil Mush on Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:42 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jollygiant Trials Rider
Joined: 07 May 2008 Posts: 271 Location: 10 mins from boxhill
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:07 am Post subject: |
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Def interested, looks bloody awsome.
But like lil mush can't commit fully just yet. |
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biggus illitterātus
Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Posts: 31748 Location: Hotel California
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:22 am Post subject: |
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I have the week booked off work . Just the small matter of finding the shekels now _________________
www.bigguspicus.co.uk
There are 10 types of people in the world: those who understand Binary and those who don't
There are II types of people in the world: those who understand Roman numerals and those who don't.
98% of all Harleys ever sold are still on the road. The other 2% made it home |
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Tusky Pie Dipper
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 11549
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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Names noted and 'provisional places' are fine with me, just means you can't always guarantee the room you want
Waki's deposit paid and room booked.....
Steph.... If you did go..... would you head straight there? It's 650 miles from Nancy to Lauterbrunnen, which is the same as it is from the UK....
Best get saving Duncan...... _________________ Boxhill Chippendales
All characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. |
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Lil Mush Silent but violent
Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 3343 Location: Chez les frogs apparently
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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That's great Tusky, but I am in Nantes! _________________
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Tusky Pie Dipper
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 11549
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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Lil Mush wrote: | That's great Tusky, but I am in Nantes! |
Doh...... that's the place.... never did understand French
Still 650 miles _________________ Boxhill Chippendales
All characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. |
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Lil Mush Silent but violent
Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 3343 Location: Chez les frogs apparently
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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Will see if my big bro is interested in joining me _________________
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Tusky Pie Dipper
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 11549
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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Lil Mush wrote: | Will see if my big bro is interested in joining me |
_________________ Boxhill Chippendales
All characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. |
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Sharky TT Racer
Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Posts: 1163 Location: At bloody work probably!
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:23 am Post subject: |
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I'm very much interested in this... Would you guys ay it is a good first tour or should i go for something with a bit less mileage first?
Opinions please!!
_________________ Not man enough for an R1....... FZ1's are cooler anyway |
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wivvy's dad Cabbage club member #3
Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 14655
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:35 am Post subject: |
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djSharky wrote: | I'm very much interested in this... Would you guys ay it is a good first tour or should i go for something with a bit less mileage first?
Opinions please!!
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All depends on how many miles you're used to doing on a regular basis. |
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Tusky Pie Dipper
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 11549
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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wivvy's dad wrote: | djSharky wrote: | I'm very much interested in this... Would you guys ay it is a good first tour or should i go for something with a bit less mileage first?
Opinions please!!
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All depends on how many miles you're used to doing on a regular basis. |
Lauterbrunnen is fine for newbies to touring, it is cheap accommodation and flexible..... That is why we have opened it to general forum...... Just the first day is big miles but a lot of that is on private Motorway, so it should not be too bad. In Lauterbrunnen you can pick your routes and where to visit, so it is ideally suited to first timers.
The Dolomites is different because the route there is not great, especially if you have vertigo and that is why it was primarily invite only and aimed for those that know they can handle the altitude and drops
You coming to the Dolomites then WD........ might take in a certain private Austrian road you've been itching to do _________________ Boxhill Chippendales
All characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. |
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Sharky TT Racer
Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Posts: 1163 Location: At bloody work probably!
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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Tusky wrote: | wivvy's dad wrote: | djSharky wrote: | I'm very much interested in this... Would you guys ay it is a good first tour or should i go for something with a bit less mileage first?
Opinions please!!
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All depends on how many miles you're used to doing on a regular basis. |
Lauterbrunnen is fine for newbies to touring, it is cheap accommodation and flexible..... That is why we have opened it to general forum...... Just the first day is big miles but a lot of that is on private Motorway, so it should not be too bad. In Lauterbrunnen you can pick your routes and where to visit, so it is ideally suited to first timers.
The Dolomites is different because the route there is not great, especially if you have vertigo and that is why it was primarily invite only and aimed for those that know they can handle the altitude and drops
You coming to the Dolomites then WD........ might take in a certain private Austrian road you've been itching to do |
I definately need to meet up with some of you guys and talk this through.. Try and work out a rough cumulative total price etc...
Other thing is being xmas and all that it's gonna be end of Jan before i can front up 150 notes.... Will that be a Problem? _________________ Not man enough for an R1....... FZ1's are cooler anyway |
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Tusky Pie Dipper
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 11549
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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Late Jan/early Feb is not a problem for Valley Hostel (Lauterbrunen), they are pretty flexible but I feel guilty if I leave them hanging for 'maybe bookings' too long....
What I need by end of December is a pretty firm idea of who's in and who's not.
Only downside of late deposit is guaranteeing the Bubble Hotel in Vorges or room choice in Lauterbrunnen _________________ Boxhill Chippendales
All characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. |
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moriwaki Fleetwood Mac
Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Posts: 4076 Location: Stuck in the middle.
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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Also, when we went before in 2008, we had the Eurotunnel booked by the end of January. Just something else for peeps to consider. _________________ Just call me Waki. |
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wivvy's dad Cabbage club member #3
Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 14655
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Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:51 am Post subject: |
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Tusky wrote: | You coming to the Dolomites then WD........ might take in a certain private Austrian road you've been itching to do |
Don't have the finances unfortunately................................... |
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moriwaki Fleetwood Mac
Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Posts: 4076 Location: Stuck in the middle.
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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Food for thought ................
View at the top of the Nufenen Pass.
Grindelwald, which is just a short ride from Lauterbrunnen.
Cable car heading back down to Stechelburg.
The glacier on the Susten Pass.
...And even time for a break.
_________________ Just call me Waki. |
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Tusky Pie Dipper
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 11549
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Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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moriwaki wrote: |
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Git
Current position is that about 7-8 of us will be going on to do the Dolomites and accommodation is more or less sorted...
Waki's single room in Lauterbrunnen is booked
What I need to know now is who is seriously thinking of staying at Lauterbrunnen with Waki?
I currently have the whole week block booked but in fairness to the owners, I would want to let them know what rooms we will and wont be wanting ASAP......
This does not mean you have to cough up a deposit right now but it does mean you may lose choice of rooms or a place to stay, if you don't say so now _________________ Boxhill Chippendales
All characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. |
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moriwaki Fleetwood Mac
Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Posts: 4076 Location: Stuck in the middle.
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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Reading up on the Klausen Pass which i missed out on last time , i found this site.
http://www.alpineroads.com/uri.php _________________ Just call me Waki. |
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moriwaki Fleetwood Mac
Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Posts: 4076 Location: Stuck in the middle.
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ninjabob Nuggetmeister
Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 3352 Location: 48.066895,12.862673
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Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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Used that site for info on The Vosges - excellent source. _________________ "Those who understand compound interest are destined to collect it.
Those who don't are doomed to pay it." |
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