Switzerland – the Lakes

The journey back to the UK has begun: we left Italy via the gorgeous (but very built up) Lake Como and crossed over into Switzerland and into the already snow-covered Alps.  The tunnels through the mountains are quite incredible, the most impressive being the Gotthard tunnel, which is just under 17 kilometers long and is the 3rd longest road tunnel in the world!

We passed one lake after another, each as beautiful and picturesque as the next and finally set up camp on the shores of Lake Lungern and had the place to ourselves.  It was quintessential Switzerland: an emerald lake surrounded by forested mountains, cows with bells, a few goats, rolling green fields and log homes with sloping roofs.  From here we explored the Sarneraa Valley area.  We put on just about every layer of cycling clothing we had with us and cycled around the lake and then up the Brunig Pass, which was just behind the campsite.  We also drove the beautiful “Panoramastrasse” (we were amused by the literal road names: the campsite was in Campingstrasse) up into the nearby Alps.

It was, however, pretty cold, with the temperatures dropping quite severely at night (our first single digits since January!) and the sun, now noticeably lower in the sky, taking a while to warm up Bambi and Cali alone in the field beside the lake.  We therefore didn’t hang around too long and ventured onwards, back to France again after only a few days.  We did enjoy our time in Switzerland though: an amazing country for outdoor enthusiasts (well signposted and incredibly beautiful cycling, running and hiking routes), great cheese, chocolate cheaper than bread and free wifi in every village!

2 thoughts on “Switzerland – the Lakes

  1. The coming cold fits the sense of an ending of “The European Adventure” – you must be feeling this chill. The isolation of Bambi and Cali in the field also seemed to underline an end to the camping season. What idyllic final days though!
    Love,
    M and T.

  2. Looks like a scene from Heidi! Your wondeful trip is finally at an end and the next chapter begins. Wish you well. Lots of love B

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