Sun 20th
The sun made a
welcome return so we quickly packed up and left Brig heading up and over the
Simplon Pass into Italy. The views were stunning with all the mountains coated
in a fresh layer of snow. Not a lot of traffic but surprisingly a few very slow
Italians ? The descent into Italy was long and the average was 10% so caution
and lots of gentle braking brought us to the bottom with only a tiny whiff of
hot brakes. The road surface was instantly worse when we crossed the border.
summit of Simplon Pass
The drive down to
Lago Maggiore was easy. We found a whole “strip” of campsites at Feriolo and
selected Camping Holiday as it looked the quietest. Just opened, the pitches
were soft, so caution when parking. Great views down the lake.
We set up camp and
then cycled into Baveno along a rather hectic lakeside road. Italian drivers
seem to have no idea what a pedestrian crossing is as they totally ignore them,
stop on them or continue to drive at you when you are on them! They made the French look positively courteous
drivers………….. J Very busy with people
promenading, preening and of course eating ice cream. The cycle back was easier
as the traffic was mainly going into town.
Monday 21st
Rain. The weather
forecast was correct – heavy rain all day. Decision made to travel as no
laundry facilities yet setup and sitting around for another day didn’t appeal.
Lake Como was selected as our next stop. The route around the north of Milan
was surprisingly easy in the rain, probably due to the fact it was a Bank Holiday.
We drove through countless tunnels and felt like moles when we arrived
at Abbadia Lariana north of Lecco. We had
found a campsite on the web – Spaggia. We drove past as the entrance
looked very steep & narrow. The next campsite at Mandello Del Lario (where Moto Guzzi motorbikes are
manufactured!) was horrible. So back to Spaggia.
Entrance negotiated we
were led to a pitch directly on the lakeside under a strange looking reverse
hair netted tree. See pic. I asked the cost - €35 as “primo site” per night.
After Scott negotiations this was reduced to €22. Much more budget
friendly! Never any harm in asking. All
the other campers are German as this area seems very popular with them. We have
yet to meet any fellow Brits on sites or aires.
primo spot under hair net tree!
happy budget holder.......
I like the high pass through the mountains. You'd have missed all those views if you had taken the tunnel. The netted tree looks intriguing; have seen this used on Olive trees but I guess it's too early in the season for that. Is it just a bird-poo catcher? Can't charge a primo fee if you get blighted by birds
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