First Rain for 12 Days

Jan drove us from Menaggio on Lake Como to Villars in Switzerland (in mountains at east end of Lake Geneva).

Overcast, warm day. Not so good for photos as very hazy. Lots of traffic around Lugano and Locarno but quiet on minor roads to Simplon. The only photos were of a spectacular, enormous church in the tiny Italian village of Re. Not just a Swiss Re building in London but an Italian Re as well!

Came over Simplon Pass and had heavy rain, first since 5th Sept in Garmisch, the day we visited Oberammergauer and Neuschwanstein. Back to chilly weather too. Temp down to 12℃ in Villars (we had 37℃ a couple of days ago around Italian Lakes). We prefer it cooler than hot.

Good sunset and clouds on nearby hills (the ones just south of Lake Geneva). Tomorrow we walk the local hills and need clear views for photos, I've had several requests for photos from Villars. Fingers crossed all is well.

Ferry Day

We spent the day on and beside Lake Como. Very easy using ferries, we just bought tickets that let you jump on and off where you wish.

From Menaggio we went across to Varenna on the eastern shore. After a couple of hours exploring, and the odd beer, it was on to Bellagio. Looked a bit more up-market than the other two. Of the 3 we probably prefer Menaggio, lots of waterfront and bit more feeling of space. Will wait to see which gives the best photos.

Feels like I have switched from mountains to nautical landscapes.

Quite a few photos (70, in fact). Clear morning then very hazy as temps reached a mere 27C, a full 10C cooler than the other day.

Tomorrow we drive to Villars for another couple of nights in the mountains. Sunday is a day for walking the mountains. Fingers crossed the weather is kind.

Comatose in Como

No only joking! Not comatose and not in Como, other than that it's a true statement.

Yesterday's blog didn't happen, I fell asleep after few beers and sharing a bottle of wine with Jan. So our last day around Lake Garda was spent circumnavigating the lake in our car. A distance of just under 100 miles. The roads were really busy, it took ages. Photo stops were at Sirmione, Bardolino and Torri del Benaco. A mix of castles, piazza's and harbours. Quite graphic as well as colourful, for anyone wanting to work in colour (I'm sure there must be someone!).

I ran off 6 rolls of 10 photos and have some good ones despite the number of people around (especially at Sirmione). That makes 68 rolls of Ilford FP4 for the trip, so far.
Today we left Lake Garda and headed west for Lake Como. We are now on the homeward stretch. The roads were really busy, it took over 6 hours instead of 4 or so.

We are staying in Menaggio, a good mix of old and new.tomorrow we use the ferries to explore Bellagio and Varenna. Hope weather stays clear but temps drop. Yesterday was 37C, today 31C. That's hot, we never see those temps in the Derbyshire Peak District.

Beer rubbish and very fizzy. Looking forward to a decent pint but when?

Hot Lake

We drove from Misurina to Malcesine on Lake Garda in northern Italy. Just 18C increase in temp to 30C. It's too hot for me and have remembered why have so many trips to cold climes. My bad back feels better though and guess it's less likely to go into spasm when warm.

Malcesine is on eastern shore of Lake Garda and has lots of narrow streets and some old buildings, including a castle. Took pictures during day and a few at night. Not well lit so used long exposures (guessed; meter as useless as ever at night).

Tomorrow we may go to Verona, just an hour or so from here. Want some morning shots in Malcesine first though. Hoping cooler than 30C tomorrow.