Walking in the Dolomites

Yesterday (Friday) we headed up the mountains behind the campsite. There was a lift part way which Alan compared to a cattle pen!

I thought we had agreed on a level, circular walk but ended up going straight up the mountain...first on a tough steep trail through woods before it leveled off to a narrow, uneven rocky path as we walked through high meadows covered with wild flowers.

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It was a calm day, not too hot, but the flies were unpleasant, persistently in our faces and cutailed our lunch stop. Alan went off to try to reach a peak, while I was quite satisfied to enjoy the spectcular views and abundance of magnificient flowers.

We both had a good feeling of satisfaction and tiredness at the end of exertions as we sat in the refugio, sipping beers in the late afternoon.

We cooked that night, our signature meal, pasta, tuna and salad and joined a karaoki party at the camp site as spectacters. No candidates for the X-factor. My sunburn is beginning to peel.

Lago di Molveno

July 26th









We've spent a delightful four days here, amongst mountains lakes and Dutch campers. We are camped in a small field in quite a classy camp site with a backdrop of majestic peaks of the Dolomites, next to a lake with clear but cold water.















In the evenings we've been taking a stroll up to the small town, with stone houses, steep, cobbled lanes and geraniums. Alan is winning me over to Pizzerias and we've found our very favourite with the best pizza I've ever tasted. At 7pm the streets are almost empty, but a few hours later crowded with all-age promanaders. One night there was great excitment as the tombola results were read out.
A pair Gold Wings arrived. Felt put out at first as they took over the whole field with their trailers, but they have proved a great asset, shielding us from the 'naughty' tent and some noisy Italian lads we'd been warned about. Eyed their assessories enviously and they did some eyeing of us too, was there a tinge of admiration there? We warmed to them after that and they even shared an unusual liquor with us.

It was chore time for Alan. He's great at the laundry especially if it involves a washing machine! Of course this is what he says he should be doing.

Italy, in search of sunshine

July 23rd
What a road! We had snow on the Timmelsjoch mountain pass. It's the shortest connection into Italy, 2509m high.











Countless switchbacks, twisty road, dramatic scenery even through the cloud. It's a beautiful area and every now and then, the cloud parted to give us glimpses.
www.timmelsjoch-hochalpenstrasse.at/en/home.html

Soon over the border, we were in sunshine. We drove through fruit orchards, vineyards along little quiet lanes and the occasional village, soaking up the Italian sunshine. loving every minute.

We got to the Dolomites; bright, colourful, enormous and seeming to be architecturally inspired. They are pure magic. When we got to Lago di Molveno, we decided to go no further and a policelady directed us to the camp site.

Rain in Austria

Delayed our departure for as long as possible to allow rain to stop but it wasn't cooperating. Packed the tent in the toilet block and Alan unsure he would get the bike out for mud! It was mid-morning when we had exhausted our delaying tactics and Monika enabled us to drag it out a bit longer by making us what could only be described as incredibly handsome cappicinos. We headed west into Austria along with the rain and mist and decided, as it was so miserable, to get a B&B in Imst. In different conditions, would have had wonderful views of mountains. We had dinner at a nearby hotel. I was delighted to use free internet curtesy of the Austrian tourist board.

Day six Munich

July 21st
Another rain drenched day, at least so we thought as we dodged the showers to take the highway to the capital of Bavaria. It was an easy 40 mile ride along and motorway and we got an unexpected reprieve; the dark clouds cleared and by the time we found a parking space, the sun was out. Explored the streets and squares, enjoyed the buskers, the beer taverns and finally the English garden, where it was warm enough for a short nap. Street cafes were full of young people with Arab dress and as we didn't feel like competing with them, found a fish and chip place in a quiet street for dinner.

Glorious Rain

18th July

We had a hard ride down to Rigsee. Not only were the roads wet and congested, but repairs meant we were confined to the hard shoulder for long stretches. Then there was the rain....



Some Polish lads enthusiastically helped us find the way with a GPS on their mobile phone and Alan got us magically through Munich dispite the rush hour. He's got intuition that guy! We finally arrived at Rigsee and found Monika's camp site, curled round the side of the lake. I have been teaching Monika English on-line for nearly two years but had never met her so it was exciting, like a blind date. Unfortunately Alan developed tummy trouble and passed out at dinner and spent most of the night throwing up.


Saturday 19th July

It's getting warmer AND we woke up to sunshine. At last, a rest day, swimming and sunbathing by the lake. In the evening we went to Murnau to explore the folk fest where we saw families in Bavarian custumes, musicians, stalls and the biggest beer tankards I've ever seen. Alan's tummy trouble wouldn't let him indulge. Wow he must have been sick!

Sunday 20th July

A bit miserable. Spent the day sheltering from the rain in tent. Plans to visit Munich postponed. My sunburn is giving me grief.

Day Two

Saw an overturned van, a car perched on top of a barrier in the middle of a fork (driver couldn't decide which way to go!) and another breakdown. Our getting lost ..again... was not in the same league. We head for the Black Forest and nearly persuaded Alan to wild camp. He started preparing by filling up water bottles and we did find a great spot, but it was a little early to settle down. Still a few hours riding left in the day, so off we go again.

End up near Freudenstadt where long table and wooden benches make it feel like luxury. We cook tonight. Our friendly neighbour is a cockney, married to a gregarious German who invites us for drinks. They have converted an old van for camping and which they also use for a transport business to clear houses of recyclable furniture for charity organisations.