Sunday 4 June 2017

Chiggiagno to Interlaken - 109 miles

Rained most of the night but it wasn't cold, just nice and comfortable. A no-rush start as it's Sunday and bacon & eggs time so we were away quite late but as always we're in no rush. First task was to refuel which we accomplished without problem a mile up the road, then set off for the St Gothard Pass.

Despite it's fame, it really is nothing we haven't seen before and is actually, well on the southern side, an excellent road given that there are a number of easy hairpin bends. Topped out at 6918' amsl, thankfully the clouds having cleared giving us nice views of the surrounding mountains. Bit of snow at the top of course too. The run down was in somewhat misty conditions with rain showers and the road not so good – quite narrow in places and much tighter bends but we managed.

St Gothard pass, looking south

Snow on the top

Statue to someone or other at the top

Approaching Interlaken

Purposely staying off the motorway we headed for our planned destination, Interlaken, but the Sustenpass was closed meaning a long diversion towards Lucerne. Realising that using ordinary roads was really only lengthening our distance and time, the scenery was still the same, we elected to drop onto the motorway. Then as it was lunchtime we paused at a service area, managing to get some Swiss currency from a bancomat – stupid machines, who uses £100 notes?

From then on a steady run until TomTom brought us to Camping Alpenblick just outside Interlaken. Unfortunately, although an ACSI site, it was very busy and they only had a few of the more expensive pitches left; we did consider moving on but it was now quite late in the day so we decided to book in for 2 nights and were given a reasonable pitch on the edge of the site. Once again it seemed that there were many “permanent” caravans and not many touring pitches, not our idea of a campsite at all and we're not impressed with the servicing facilities although the showers etc. were fine. However we did get Tourist Passes which, among other things, give free local bus transport which we may well use.

Initially warm and bright enough to sit outside, it became cooler with the threat of more rain so we returned inside for tea and a discussion of where do we go from here. Given we've had to abandon our original plans, deciding on replacements is difficult and although we don't want to waste the effort of getting here, thoughts are beginning of returning home. Once again we'll sleep on it.

Addendum. Chatting to another Brit couple we've just heard of the latest terrorist atrocity in London; worrying.

Where We Stayed

Camping Alpenblick, Seestrasse 130, Unterseen, Interlaken N46º40'47” E7º49'4”

100 pitches on mixed grass/hardstanding (many occupied by permanent units). Electricity points at hand but few water taps. Waste disposal and m/h service point. Bar, restaurant and basics shop on site. Free Tourist Pass for local buses etc.

ACSI €19 (plus local taxes made it approx €29). We paid €43 per night.