Tilly time

Our travels and destinations are becoming increasingly governed by Tilly's frailties! It has become all too painfully evident (some would so 'no surprise there then'!) that she really doesn't like hills or hot climates. She has been running a very high temperature for much of the time since the last entry and as I write is languishing in some unknown garage awaiting a diagnosis and, I hope successful treatment. It's never going to be a positive sight when one has to witness ones trusted steed loaded unceremoniously on to the back of a lorry - even if one is sitting watching from the shores of Lake Garda!



Yes we've made it to northern Italy but are resigned to the fact that our initial destination of Dubrovnik was, with hindsight a little unrealistic in a work horse as old as Tilly. On reflection the Netherlands wold have provided the ideal pottering land for a Camper - but that's going to have to be another trip as there is no way on earth that we are going to be able to coax her over those Alps!



We did some how manage to make it to Interlarken and onto a wonderful campsite overlooking the small village of Lauterbrunnen settled comfortably in a bucolic valley framed by soaring cliffs that climb upwards to vertiginous snow capped peaks with names that must be familiar to the world over. Not only a wonderful spot for us to forget about over heating engines but a perfect base to take the impressive network of cable cars and trains to the summit of the Schilthorn, immortalised for so many by the revolving mountain retreat in the James Bond film 'On Her Majesties Secret Service'. Not sure why I had been so reluctant to make the trip after the initial suggestion by Crispin as it really was a magical trip.



From the lofty heights of Switzerland we gingerly wove our way to Lake Como after a rather nerve racking trip through the Gotthard Tunnel with memories of that awful fire some years back all too fresh in our memories. With climbing temperatures (for once not Tilly's or ours) we made a brief over night stop near Lecco and then onwards to the southern shores of Lagio di Garda via a delightful lunchtime stop at the hill top town of Bergamo (well recommended!).



Whilst we wait for news of Tilly we have escaped to Verona for the day - no doubt the city's sights will be a welcome distraction from negotiations with the RAC!