annathorstenson

Biking the Alps

Anna Thorstenson — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:54:15 +0000

Back in the Alps, here watching the Tour de France in Alp d’Huez.

What we did not know, was at the exakt same time, abot 17h, the 22nd of July 2011, a crazy man kills almost 100 young people in Norway, Utöya. Therefore this day will always be remebered. All our thoughts to Norway!

After a 10 h long queue, we finally arrived in Chamonix, where it was snowing! Then continued to Pila in Italy, renting DH bikes. Crazy fun!

At the top with a beautiful view.

We continued to München to pick up bikes and go for some bike excurtions round the German and Autrian part of the Alps.

The beautiful steep area of Karwendelgebirge.

Just a little hill of 25 km…

But worth it in the end.

Falkenhütte, where we spend the night. Never been so happy to arrive at a hütte. Had a classical Austrian dinner, with Bratwurst och Germknödel.

Camargue horseback riding

Anna Thorstenson — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:53:44 +0000

Since our surfing tour did not turn out as we had hoped a quick decision was made to go biking in the Alps instead. So, we headed through France again, this time a stopover in Camargue, horseback riding.

So long beaches that you cannot even imagine!

The typical white Camargue horse.

Surfing España

Anna Thorstenson — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:52:16 +0000

Since the conditions were not the greatest in France we diceded to go down the coast toward Spain.

Laga beach amazingly beautiful!

After trying to surf in Zerautz we headed to Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum.

Finally not so much surfing, some longboarding instead.

Powerful weather conditions.

Biarritz surfing or not surfing…

Anna Thorstenson — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:51:38 +0000

After quite a long drive we arrived in Biarritz.

Typical Biarritz weather… Made many walks on the beach, hang around Hossegor and Seignosse…

Magical jelly fishes

Met some random friends and had a nice BBQ until..

At a parking in Seignosse, where we were caught by the police to be BBQing at a parking, which we found awesome, so did not the police…

The bad weather and no waves situation made us do some excurtions around the area, here in Saint-Jean Pied de Port.

The following day we headed towards Gorge du Holzarte… which was quite a bit away on tiny mountain roads…

It took forever, but beautiful surroundings and all kind of animals =)

Horses, cows, sheep… you name it!

We made it finally, and went for along mountain walk, to Gorge de Holzarte, a hang bridge over green valley in the Pyrenees.

Then back to Biarritz in hope for some better conditions!

Such an amazing light.

Magical, just like a painting!

Finally surfs up!

On the road through la France

Anna Thorstenson — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:51:11 +0000

After Italy we drove through St Bernard, Switzerland and then south in la France with the aim Biarritz.

Champ de Lavend, a la Monet.

First stop in the little village of La Puy. The volcano village gave good opportunities for facinating placements of for example this monastery.

A perfect camping site by the Barrage de Naussac, in the middle of France. Could not have been better.

Doing the dishes in the lake =)

The next day we continued to the canyon of Goge du Tarn,where we rented canoës to paddle down the river.

A very warm day, nice to paddle in bikini!

A beautiful scenary with lagoons to swim in.

Happy after 7 km in not so much water but a lot of fun.

Lago di Garda

Anna Thorstenson — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:50:34 +0000

The first etapp of our Europe road trip, Lago di Garda, an idyllic place in nothern Italy.

Wimdsurfing is very famous in Lago di Garda, for those who love flat water though…

So did not even go surfing but just enjoying the beach =)

The best with Italy is the amazing food, love it!

Girls Sailing

Anna Thorstenson — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:33:02 +0000

Every year we try to get a girls sailing on the West Coast.

The girl crew

So much fun, trying to be Kapten Anna =)

It was an amazing night, look at the beautiful light house outside Marstrand.

Nina and Me

Then of course, freshly smoked shrimps at Åstol.

Little grayer, bye bye Olsson

Classic Swedish Midsommar

Anna Thorstenson — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:12:17 +0000

Midsommar, a lovely typical Swedish tradishon, to celbrate the longest day of the year, when it is always raining, windy and sunshine at the same time. We caught the sun just in time for the dancing around the midsommarstång (maypole).

Fina misdommar flickor =)

Compulsory games, here “jumping the trashbag contest” .

Also compulsory, the midsummer dip, in stormy salty west coast water!

Windsurfing the best coast =)

Anna Thorstenson — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:55:16 +0000

So nice to be back at the best coast! For those who do not know, it is the west coast of Sweden, and the beautiful archipelago.

My friend Eric in full speed.

So nice just to tast the alsty water on my lips, in my scothched Cross hoodie =)

Touring up north

Anna Thorstenson — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:12:18 +0000

After the season was finished down in the Apls I went for a little tour to Norway and Jotunheimen.

I had almost forgotten how beutiful the light is up there this time of the year. The fjords, the nordic spring light, the calm, the amazing views.

Had a few days touring in Jotunheimen, not so much snow but nice weather.

Jostedalsbreen in the background

At 2000 m and after 1200 altitude meters touring we were happily at the summit

Then back to hytta with my gutt =)

…and tried some serious biking. Maybe that should be my new sport? Totally want to buy a good hard tail =)