Almost a week after we left the UK and we have finally arrived yesterday in Italy. After leaving the campsite near Troyes we went south to Annecy and had a 2 night stop at a site on the banks of the lake there.

Two brolley rain at Lac Annecy!

Great location but not great weather – rained fairly solidly for most of  the time including a massive thunder and lightening storm overnight.
Did manage to cycle into Annecy though and had a wander round – very touristy but some great cake and chocolate shops.

Then across into Switzerland via the mountains (we’re avoiding toll roads now to get a better feel of the places we are passing through). Saw lots of places which we recognised as ski resorts – Megeve, Chamonix, etc., then stayed for one night in a place called Brig in Switzerland. They speak German there so an opportunity to get out our German dictionary and have a practice – we’re now fluent in booking into campsites in about 4 different languages (although ‘fluent’ might be overstating it!).  Still raining…

Next morning we set off over the Simplon Pass to get into Italy and encountered our next weather condition – it was snowing!

Simplon Pass Summer 2012 !

I was worried we’d end up stranded halfway up, but then we were overtaken by an Italian in a Nissan Micra and decided perhaps I was overly anxious.

Anyway we are now pitched up by Lake Como, about 10 metres from the lake itself and have had a relaxing day today, walking into Lecco, visiting a supermarket to stock up on supplies (appears to be a fantastic choice of everything), and then lounging around this afternoon by the van, as, finally, the sun has come out and it’s about 28 degrees.

Why do all the cakes look so good?

Lake Como

Our early morning view from the van

Now planning our next stop – looks like it may be Verona to visit the balcony and hopefully sample some of the local wines. Fingers crossed the sun will continue to shine….