Oldies On Tour

Having had a lovely time at Lake Como, we are now moving onto Lake Garda, where we are meeting Mark Paula, Tyla and Ashleigh, it seems so long ago when we saw them last.

Fighting the traffic

Everything is packed and off we go, well we thought we were, the roads around the Lake are very congested at the best of times, but today there had been an accident on the motorway, and all the heavy lorries were being diverted, for us to pass one, we had to almost touch the houses/walls on one side, all mirrors, had to be put in, then you just held your breath, on top of that, Geoff said one of the bikes were slipping, we couldn’t stop, we just had to keep going, very tense for about twenty minutes, we then went into the first lay-by, to find one of the straps had worked loose, whilst we were doing that, everyone went by, and we relaxed for

views on route

a few minutes, before we started again.  By this time the Police were on the case, and things seemed to run quite smoothly. Geoff once again did well with the driving.

We were having trouble finding a site, which we could afford the average was 50 Euros a night, which we thought was a bit steep, anyway we found a very quiet village, which had tennis courts and a big car park so we stopped overnight, whilst I was frantically searching for somewhere to stay. We have a site from Tuesday, which we booked ages ago, anyway we found one in Arco which is 5km away from Riva Del Garda (North of Lake Garda) where we are meeting the family, but we had to be there by mid-day.

I woke up first, took the dogs out, Geoff jumped out of bed and made the tea, we then left, it was only when we were on our way Geoff realised it was not even 8am. In view of the traffic around Lake Como, we went on the motorway, which was just as well, as the roads are the same.  We arrived at the site about 10.30am, the guy looked at the motor-home, and said you will need a Maxi plot, which is fine, we have a lovely space, and we were all sorted by midday.

We have had rain!!

We had lunch, and then headed for Riva Del Garda, to look at the other site we have booked, but on route it poured with rain, we stopped and sheltered in the Tourist Board office, got some maps, and what’s on leaflets.  We then walked down to the beach; it was still raining, but not quite so bad.  It was lovely to

Sailing Regatta

see all the young children in their laser sailing boats, apparently there was a regatta today.  We walked along the beach area, the shore line is better than Como’s, and they have designated swimming areas, looks very good. Geoff had a go at the ring’s he says he’s going to train for Rio, watching the Olympics has inspired him.

Geoff bought some posh coffee, I had some lemon tea, we sat and watched the world go

non-fattening coffee!

by under the umbrella’s outside in the rain, and well we are British!!

Back at home, we had a bottle of Chianti, with spaghetti Bolognese, very nice it was too.

The last two days have just been sorting ourselves out, doing the odd jobs, and relaxing.

We went to Menaggio in the evening, but not a lot there, a very tiny pretty square with restaurants and ice cream parlour, but that was about it. If we had more time here we would have explored the Villa Coletti, but another time.

The dogs have enjoyed there stay here, although I think we have worn them out, as at the end, Sooty could not be bothered to chase a stick or play in the water, Bella just carried on as usual.

Last night we had another Chateaubriand to round off the week here, and very nice it was too. We are now moving onto Lake Garda, stopping on route somewhere!

We have thoroughly enjoyed this area, it is so pretty, and well worth a visit.

Hiding from the rain

Today we are going on a boat trip, we are going to five towns, and you could get of at all five of them, but we have decided on three.  Just as we were leaving it rained and rained, just for about five minutes, then it stopped and brightened up.  By the time we got on the boat it was very hazy but warm and dry. A good day for sightseeing, although not too good on taking pictures.

First stop was Tremezzo, then Villa Carlotta, we had been

Bellagio

through both of these when we went on our bikes, so we decided to spend more time in Bellagio.

Bellagio is the place that inspired the Las Vegas casino. Bellagio saphire blue harbour, maze of stone staircases and colourful shuttered buildings are truly enchanting, and well worth the visit.  We sat and had coffee by the side of the lake, people watching, one tea one coffee and a cake 17

Bellagio

Euros, bit pricey here! but lovely. The town is busy with tourists, from all over the world, fascinating.

Bellagio

We then climbed the many steps to reach the top, the streets, are narrow, and the shops are all small and unique, none of our normal M & S’s, they had a shop selling glass xmas tree trinkets, I nearly bought one, but then it is storage again!! Lots of leather shops, and jewellery shops, all very expensive.

Varenna

We then hopped onto the boat again, and onto Varenna, which has cobbled streets, and although smaller than Bellagio, just as pretty.  We wondered around, and found a lovely restaurant,

Varenna

where we could sit on the waterfront again.  We had a lovely lunch, mine was rocket salad, prawns and Parmesan cheese, followed by the biggest pizza I have ever seen, needless to say I could not eat it all.  Geoff had

Now what can I have!!

beef  wrapped around goats cheese, followed by a seafood spaghetti, needless to say it was really good, and the wine

Varenna

was excellent.

A pretty little town, not so commercial as Bellagio, plenty of restaurants to choose from though, but still worth the visit.

Back at the harbour, we waited for our boat, we have run out of time, as the poor dogs have been shut in all day, so we will have to do Menaggio another day.

Varenna

Lake Como

Despite the downfall of rain on the way back on the boat, we thoroughly enjoyed the day, Lake Como is a lovely place, so clean, and so tidy, definitely a place to visit.

This morning we decided to go to Colico, which is North East side of the Lake. so after walking the dogs, we were out on Pinky and Perky again.  The roads were still very tiny, with the villages on a traffic light system.  We stopped to get some petrol, but of course it was Sunday and everything was shut, we thought no problem, we can use our card, and fill up, but no, still everything is cash, well we had a 20 Euro note, but that was too big for my little thing, so we had to wait to get some change.

Campsite at Lenno

The reason we went to Calico was because there is a campsite there, and it was easier to look at it on the bikes, then take Rosie, and not like it. After many tunnels, and tiny villages, and about 45 kilometres, we found the site, well I did not like it one bit, although they had a beach across the road, and a nice cafe, we have decided to stay where we are.

Back on the bikes, we managed to fill up with 5 Euros of fuel, then back to Rosie, where we had some lunch, then went for a walk down to the lake.

When we arrived, there were lots of little stalls, selling beefburgers, cakes, etc., there

Regaté Day

was a   regaté going on, the boats are really strange here, and I am sure they have a proper name, but they take two rowers, standing up, facing forward, it looks like hard work to me.  They were having club  races, everyone was enjoying themselves.

Kids having fun!!

Sooty and Bella were doing their normal things, although not to be outdone, Bella is also diving under water and collecting stones, this looks really funny, on one occasion she picked up a really big stone, how she managed to get it out, I will never know.

Back home we opened a bottle of bubbly, and had some salmon, I like this retirement business, it is hard work but worth the effort.

Up and out walking the dogs, after another stormy night, thunder and lightning, hate it when it is like that, not sure how well insulated the van is. Still we survived another night, and Bella had to have another cuddle.

View of Lake Como

We managed to leave the site by 9.15am having had breakfast,

we have about 80 miles to go, which is not far, but some of the roads are so tiny, they had traffic lights on both ends of the village, and only one way could go at a time, it was very tight even then, we clipped the mirror of a lorry that was parked on the side, and coaches and us struggled past cyclist, very nerve wrecking, glad I was not driving.  Geoff does very well, weaving around these

Views of the Lake

narrow lanes, I just try to sit and be quiet!!

We eventually arrived at the site, and found our spot, to be told we could not go there, as it was promised for someone else, so we had to move, but tomorrow we are going back, it is a better spot, plus we have the shade of the trees, which we have not got now.  It is 39 degrees outside, and when we plugged in the air-conditioning, it kept blowing the fuse, so hopping tomorrow not so many on one plug. Apparently they have the electricity set, so that it keeps the van running, but nothing else, so no iron, no hair dryer etc.,

Sooty enjoying the Lake

Geoff took me out to lunch at the site, we had meat platters with parmesan cheese, that was lovely, good to relax, we took the dogs for a wander along the lake, and as soon as Bella saw the water she was in again.

Lake Como is lovely, I just wish Jane had been able to join us, it is amazing scenery, the mountains contrasting with the lake, with lots of things going on.  We walked along side the lake, looking at the restaurants on the waterfront, we continued to a Hotel, which had a beach with lots of people swimming,it also had three sea planes, which

Sea Planes

we assume you could hire, we paddled and the dogs swam, Sooty showing everyone how clever he was diving for the stones.  On the way back we stopped at one of the lakeside café and had a drink, then we went into Lenno, which is where we are staying, a very tiny village, which has only a few shops.  The most important thing is a Bank, as everything is cash here, no cards, definitely a black economy.

Back at site, we changed, then went for dinner, we had a chateaubriand, which was amazing, cooked to perfection, this site is family run, and the lady in charge is out to make as much money as possible (don’t blame her for that) but we were all a bit squashed, hopefully when we move, we will be better off.  Still not as bad as the South of France!