We rose at 7.40 and repacked. The weather is much better now so we can look forward to a good day’s run to Venice.
The drive through and over the Alps was exhilarating to say the least. From the apex, it is possible to see the road, winding its way like some giant serpent all the way down to the Italian frontier. The mountain air is so fresh it seems you can almost drink it in. We were a little apprehensive but made the descent without any problems to reach Italy at about 11.15. We cleared customs and proceeded on our merry way.
“Tragedy” struck in the little town of Bussoleno at the foot of the Alps. A puncture! Luckily, it happened in town but unluckily for us it happened in the lunch hour. So we are having to wait for the locals to finish their spaghetti! It’s going to hold us up for about two hours but we’re going to drive to Venice no matter what time we get there! That is not as bad as it sounds due to the fact that we had a good night last night and tomorrow will be a rest day – providing we have no more punctures!
We got to Turin with no further incidents which was just as well for Turin is one big incident in itself! What a place to drive through for the first time – or any time for that matter. No sign posts and traffic belting along in the cobbled streets. In one of the streets I tried to make a right turn and found my way blocked by a tram bearing down on me. Too big to argue with, so to my annoyance and intense embarrassment I had to reverse down this main street. The only method of finding the way out of this maze (but quite effective) was to stop and yell “Signor, Autostrada Milano” and make a quick guess as to what the reply meant. Fortunately, we nearly always guessed right and soon found ourselves on the Autostrada (Motorway, Freeway) bound for Milan about 130 km. (80 mls.) away.
The Autostrada is a toll road, quite amazing or at least it will be when it is finished. At present they are only using one half of the great dual carriageway; work goes on for miles. It runs practically dead straight all the way to Milan – quite remarkable. England take note! Thirty miles down the road, the mist and rain came on again but not too bad – we were still able to average fifty miles an hour.
Just before Milan I handed over to Allan at a check point. I have driven over 180 miles today, and I can feel ait. Shortly afterwards we turned off left to continue driving on what was now the Brescia autostrada. We intend to camp very near to Lake Garda, mainly because of the beautiful views we should be able to photograph tomorrow if the weather is fine. I had written earlier that we intend to make Venice today. But we had forgotten Lake Garda, hence the change in plan. I am writing this in the car as we drive. It is now night.
We made Brescia safely enough although I must admit I do not like night driving here. Perhaps I am being over apprehensive but when we pulled into a filling station just off the autostrada, the yard which was full of wrecked cars presented such a macabre sight under the lights, diffused in the mist and rain, that I was glad to leave.
Brescia behind us, we turned down a side road, looking for a camp site. It happened to be a clover field. We pitched tent. It was not long before we discovered we were camped next to a railway line. I sincerely hope we are not going to have a repetition of Tuesday night when we were kept awake by passing trucks, only this time…!
Allan has just opened a tin of steak and kidney pudding. Again I will be eating out of the can seeing as one of the plates was broken before we could even use it. My plate – not Allan’s! I don’t really mind this. But unless we get a plate soon I can picture me getting back to Jersey, and insisting on eating out of a can! – Someone has just passed the tent without bothering to see who we are, and what we are doing here, so perhaps we shall be OK. “Dinner” should be up soon; Allan seems to enjoy doing the cooking. We bought a bottle of Chianti in Bussoleno. Cost about four shillings (20¢). Should go well with steak and kidney pudding. Now we know we are on the Continent.
There does not appear to be a chance of anything else happening tonight so I’ll close. I’m getting very tired anyway. Goodnight, and it is a good, calm night for once.
P.S. A funny thing happened on the way to Venice! Time and time again we saw the road sign “Ucita”. Frantically, I pored over the map seeking the town of Ucita – no such town to be found. It was only later that we found out that “Ucita” means EXIT in Italian! Ah, the joys of travel!
Speedo reading: 14380. 256 mls. (836)