Author: freedombird

Thursday 17th September 2026 – taking the toll roads down to Marra on the coast of Tuscany….

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Having looked at the choices for travel last night and taking into consideration that the weather forecast is for a hot weekend down on the coast we opted to bite the bullet and take the motorway (toll) cutting the journey from 7.5 to a manageable 3 hours to make it in one hit.

We got an early start and were soon heading south to sunnier climes. The journey itself was pain free albeit a bit monotonous and only worth noting that inspite of it being September the landscape is significantly more lush than back in the parched UK.

We left the ease of the toll roads a few short miles from our chosen campsite and were soon pitched up at Camping Partaccia a short stroll from the seafront. It was by now approaching 30 degrees (note to self – be careful what you wish for) and we had to leave exploring until quite a bit later and concentrate on trying to keep cool! Should I say – survive the heat!….

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 186
  • Miles walked – 2
  • Beaches – 1
  • Tolls – £25.00
  • O/N – £22.62

Wednesday 16th September 2026 – continuing south to Lake Maggiore, Italy….

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It was a cloudy day and raining lightly as we left the site this morning and headed up the Susten Pass (our only option without a major detour) to join the main road network and travel through the Gotthard Tunnel. Of course we could not resist a couple of photo stops on the way….

The Swiss motorway network soon had us crossing the border into Italy and choosing not to use the Italian Toll roads found us winding our way through countless small towns around the edge of Lake Maggiore, crossing what seemed like hundreds of small roundabouts and sets of traffic lights until we arrived at our destination a campsite at the southern end of Lake Maggiore. I think the last 30 miles or so in Italy took far longer than the initial 100 miles on Swiss roads!

Settled for the night on site we took a walk down to the Lake, unfortunately this tail end of the Lake does not give a wider view of the Lake as a whole and there was no obvious walk to take us into a better position so Tilly had to be content with a play on the dog friendly beach….

And a wander around the neighbourhood and along the site foreshore (not dog friendly)….

The temperatures are creeping up towards the 30’s and so I have made the decision to use tomorrows cloudy start and the Italian Toll Motorway system to hot foot it down to the coast.

Todays stats:

  • Miles driven – 132
  • Miles walked – 3
  • O/N – £22.31

Tuesday 15th September 2026 – a walk through the Aareschult Gorge to the Reichbach Falls….

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More overnight storms heralded a beautiful sunny and warm day, For a complete contrast to yesterday we decided to leave the van on site and head on foot to the entrance of the nearby Aareschult Gorge….

Beautifully cool and mostly in the shade the boardwalk path leads through the mile long gorge….

Dipping in and out of tunnels carved into the cliffs….

At the far end we ventured out into the sunlight and took a walk around the village of Meirengin – famous for 2 things – Sherlock Holmes and being the birth place of the Meringue….

Our visit was slightly badly timed as the Bakery was closed for lunch so no meringues for us! We wandered around the village for a while and then made our way to catch the funicular railway up above the village….

To the Reichenbach Falls where famously Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty fought a deadly battle with both being lost in the falls….

We did intend to continue up the footpath but it was pretty much steep steps all the way and after the first section which largely consisted of the type of mesh step that Tilly will not climb and a sit down to recover, I abandoned such madness and we caught the next funicular back down and strolled back through the cool gorge to site….

Todays stats:

  • Miles driven – 0
  • Miles walked – 8
  • Gorge – £9.09
  • Falls – £9.56
  • O/N – £28.35

Monday 14th September 2026 – driving the Grimsel / Furka / Susten Pass Loop….

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A bit of an electrical storm through the surrounding mountains was our entertainment for the evening followed by some seriously heavy rain, such that watching TV was impossible and sleep a little fractured but the morning brought a cloudy and cooler but dry day. Perfect for our much awaited 3 pass loop, which we had intended to do in May when we were last here, only to find that the passes do not officially open until June. Well today they did not disappoint.

Starting with the Grimsel pass, a mile or so from the campsite, with the cloud level still quite low, adding a certain eeriness to the milky green lakes on the way up….

A stop at the top (2165m above sea level) enabled us to take a walk in the clouds and stretch our legs….

In preparation of the incredible series of switch backs on the way down and the equally dramatic switchbacks on the way up the Furka pass – the second photo looking from part way up the Furka Pass back at Grimsel….

At every twist and turn it was impossible not to pull up and jump out to take a photo….

At the summit of the Furka Pass (2431m) another perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the views from every angle….

The final pass in the loop, Susten, seemed more genteel with the switchbacks a little less dramatic and wide sweeping valleys inbetween….

At the summit (2224m) another opportunity to get out and walk around and our first glimpses of the Stein Glacier which was to dominate our views on the first part of the way down….

The Stein Glacier from our descent and the long road home….

What an absolutely amazing and exhilarating drive – only 75 miles but it took us about 5 and a half hours to properly enjoy it. The roads are in excellent condition and apart from a couple of small single track sections on the Furka Pass, all wide enough to easily accommodate 2 vehicles so not in the slightest bit scary just good fun.

Todays stats:

  • Miles driven – 75
  • Miles walked – 3
  • Fuel – £87.98
  • O/N – £28.00

Sunday 13th September 2026 – a visit to Lucerne….

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Still heading south, we briefly crossed into Germany for a short distance and using the wonderful Swiss motorway network, soon made our way into Lucerne. Finding parking near the station on the lakeside, we made our way on foot into the beautiful (and busy) city….

We were totally captivated by Chapel Bridge, built in 1333 it is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe and the interior roof features original 17th C paintings by local artist Wagmann. Approx two thirds of the original bridge was destroyed by fire in 1993 which was quickly restored and re-opened….

After crossing the bridge we enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the city before taking a break to enjoy the beauty of the lakeside views…

It was soon time for us to move on and continue up into the mountains to our campsite at Innertkirschen for a few days…

Daily stats:

  • Miles driven – 136
  • Miles walked – 5
  • C/P – £4.20
  • O/N – £28.95