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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.
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St Gothard pass, looking south |
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Snow on the top |
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Statue to someone or other at the top |
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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.
Sarah, Adam & I were in the vacinity quite scarry. We were pleased when we managed to get out of center and back to our hotel
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