Lake Garda

Last night we discovered the source of a rhythmic high-pitched cry - a Scops owl. We could not see it because it is only the size of a starling and it was deep dusk. In other bird news, we heard another cuckoo this morning during our unintentionally leisurely up and breakfast. Had a SWIM in the lake at the foot of the campsite (yes, it slopes) which was very refreshing. Yes we were the only swimmers ... well, it was 0930. We found the ladder entry much better than the lethally slippery pebbles. 

After some research we decided to take a drive up the west side towards the pointy bits. At the south end where we are the landscape is very flat. After a million roundabouts we were driving alongside the lake, first high up then at water level, and in company with a million Italians - it's a sunny Saturday. When we got to the pointy bits there were many tunnels, narrow and poorly lit. Does not compare well with the Swiss and Austrian ones.

We spotted a cafe with stupendous views so dived into a parking place and ordered 'due decafeinato cafes per favore'.  They came small and strong with hot milk to add and two tiny pastries - perfect. The atmosphere is very hazy today, even though there is a bit of wind for once, so pictures just don't work well. 

We drove on to Campione, a little village between the vertical cliffs and the water; the exit from the main road was inside the tunnel, which came as a surprise. The place seems very run down - we eventually found the large car park at the back of some ruined buildings with very grand facades.


Lunch in the van - can't keep eating out - followed by a stroll which revealed much activity on the water. Many sailing dinghies and yachts, and a festival of foiling kite boarders.

It was literally too hot to sit in the sun or walk far, although it suited this lizard.

So after marvelling at the athletic sailing we trundled back down the lakeside, admiring the reverse view. Endless motorcycles and about 40 classic Porsches came the other way. 

Dropped into Lidl for a food topup and back to Fontanelle for the regular two cups of tea, biscuits ... and today's purchase, cherries. We had to close the van door against a snowy hail of what looks like cotton wool. They are hundreds of floaty seed containers from the gnarled Italian poplars that surround our van. The pitches look like they are covered with snow. We shan't be sorry to see the back of them.




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