Thursday 11 September

We have to leave – what a pity – Basel is a beautiful town but we must move on (we should perhaps have planned a year and not 4 months). Back to Zurich, on and past Chur and then into the magnificent Swiss and Italian Alps. 

On a secondary road we cross the highest mountains at 4120 feet through the Sipluga Pass. Again no trouble with the Customs, except for an exuberant Italian Automobile Club man trying to sell passes for this and that and it took five minutes saying “no”. Got the petrol coupons stamped with entry date and off down a series of terrifying hairpin bends and snow tunnels to the town of Chiavenna. No border that we have crossed has been as absolute as here.

The high mountains have meant little or no intermingling – how poor the Italian farmers look compared to their Swiss neighbours. On down twisting lanes to the night camp stop at Colico at the head of Lake Camo. There were many camping grounds to choose from but this one near Abbey  Piona seems the best. Bottle of 3/- wine, good nosh and bed.