Last Weekend, more views (my 12 yo self would be ashamed of me)

Yes, yes I know its late but Iv'e been busy! Right, brass tacks. This was last Saturday's exploration, we had done the sea and the lakes the only logical remaining geographical feature left was the mountains. Conveniently, there is a very nice circuit that takes one round some of the nicest areas of the alps in Italy (the SS24 & SS23). Starting out was the hardest part as the sign posting and the bewildering knot of autostradas is incomprehensibly complicated and poorly thought out. Kind of sums up a lot of Italy, great quality and excitement but the frustration and formalities often dont seem worth it! (applies to cars too!) After going through 1/2 largish towns we found the SS24 to Susa. There is only one exit out of Turin to the Northeast as its a steep valley and only one road all the way. Saw this monastry thing on the hillside (below) and it looked damned impressive so we tried to go for a nosey. It went about as badly as could be expected (charged straight at it up the hill, direct is best right? Anyway, ended up in someone's garden, but lets not dwell on that). The Pics in the town are of Susa at the top of the Vally di Susa. Its an important place but its tiny really, there is nothing else out there, but it was quite beautiful. After Susa the alps really kick in and you take a pass out of the valley (fun). This takes you over the top and onto ace mountain roads. In Exilles I spotted this castle and I went for a nosey, angry thing huh? This road eventually takes you very close to the French border and I wanted to go for the sake of it! I'm glad I did as the STEEP roads up to the border were amazing. the town at the top (Montegenevre) is right on the border. The pic of the reservoir and me on the fence are here. Drove a little further and turned round again. Back in Italy we headed for Sestiere which is a big skiing town on top of the world. You stay very high up until Pinerolo and back down to Turin. It's a great drive. it like to do it in a Lotus Exige or a Caterham some time!
Any questions just ask.