What an incredible couple days. Yesterday we were all ready up to leave camp at Lake Maggiore at 7300 and the electronic barriers at 0730, waiting to be released. They locked the outer gates at 2200 and if you were outside, you couldn’t get your vehicle back in.
Champing at the bit to get to Switzerland and the long awaited Simplon Pass journey. Finally got away and made our way to the commencement of the ‘climb’. As we got over the border from Italy to Switzerland, the scenery changed immediately. Gorgeous mountains covered with snow, glaciers just beside the road and snow drifts, rustic farm houses and meadow upon meadow of lush grass. John was drooling at the sight of the methods of mowing and immediate silage collection of the fresh grass being taken to the cow barns. The cows had the traditional bells hanging around their necks and it got to the point that my eyes were hurting from the beautiful scenery. Each bend revealed a new vista and photo opportunity. Very quickly, we were at 2005m above sea level and at the summit of the Simplon Pass with little effort, not as expected. Napoleon’s Eagle carved out of stone was there because this was vital to his campaign to capture Italy we believe.
Paddy has now successfully completed his SES Alpine Rescue course and even assisted Bluey along the way.
On to Oberwald and took the car train to Realp under the Furka Pass. The peak of the mountain was 2200m above sea level but we were at 1500m below that. The trip took 20 minutes and we travelled at 80-90km/hr, the fastest the jeeps and our ute have travelled ever. I was filming our departure and when we came off the train, we thought it was our friend Swiss Chris with his Akubra with camera to his face. The camera was lowered and there was Ben Gruber, Neil and Brenda’s son from Yass and a relative of ours. He is conducting research at Stuttgart University. A completely unexpected and pleasant surprise for us to see somebody from our own, Chris was out of sight but soon appeared.
Travelled onward to Devil’s Bridge, the site of a battle between the Russians and French in 1799. Just so much to see to talk about now.
That night we got the very rustic camp above Lake Seeli at the southern end of Lake Luzern. We couldn’t stay in the intended camp because they wanted us to take the vehicles down, unload and leave them unattended above on the road. As nearly all of us sleep in the vehicles, it was not at all convenient. Camp was relocated.
Dinner and tour of Luzern followed courtesy of Chris and Ben. It was a most beautiful Old City.
Today we went to Safenwil where Chris’ parents Marlena and Peter and brother Pascal live, again through some of the very fertile farming land and on hilly country. See PHOTO. A delightful BBQ, the best meal we have had during the whole trip. It was a very great pleasure to meet them as they made us very welcome and feel at home. Many hours later, we had to reluctantly farewell them and made our way to Mulhouse in France.
It took us an hour and a half of frustration to find the camp site for the night once we arrived in town to a very welcome beer and shower.
Tomorrow we head to Verdun for a couple of nights and then gay Paree!!!!!
Bon soir mon amis.
John says good bye for now
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