Day 4.
On the road to Desenzano.
2nd September
Morning arrived before we knew it, our overnight cases now packed, we headed downstairs for our Swiss breakfast. I was expecting to see a variety of cereals, croissants, bread, a few cheeses, some with holes & cold meats. Tea or Coffee. Yes, that’s what was on offer and everything was just fine. We had our fill and before making our way onwards I went to the reception to check out and quickly reclaim our 20 euros – the deposit taken to use the local car park. Ed had ready left with the luggage and was waiting for me in the car park a 2-minute walk away. Organising ourselves, I decided to have a quick tidy up & relieve us of all the litter in the car that we had been accumulating on our journey so far, plastic water bottles mainly and a few other un required packets etc. Well, you know my mantra of look left first, you know the one I had been saying the whole journey, well that doesn’t apply silly me in a car park, as I took one step out towards the litter bin that I had been focusing on at the corner of the carpark, a silent Tesla breezed pass my face almost giving me a middle parting. I kind of had a slow-motion moment thinking Liz you lucky thing, that could have easily been curtains, as Ed would say. Lovely views and all, but I didn’t want it to be my last resting place. A deep breath later, another look now left & right I proceeded to the litter bin and relieved myself. On my return to the car I recalled the incident in detail to Ed as he had been busy playing again with his Sat Nav and had totally missed the event… only for him to reply be careful!…
Lake Lugano now shimmering on our right as we drove off, main road we headed for the first of the many tunnels winding all the way onwards towards Lake Como and Milan beyond. Our Sat Nav directing us to the Italian version of the M25 snaking around the southern part of the city Milan, four lanes, a mixture of domestic & large commercial vehicles all doing their own version or not of the highway code. Another toll booth in the distance we readied ourselves once again, only this time we took the wrong lane. “No ticket machine – only auto pay” (in Italian) no!… to make things worse the queue behind us now within seconds accumulating as fast as the traffic. Anyone that knows Ed also knows he dosent do stressful situations well. This isnt going to be good I thought. The light bright red telling us to stop, I pressed the help button, with no answer and Ed’s blood pressure rising like a rocket, we agreed like teenagers to take our chances and make a dash for it, after all the barrier was already raised. Making haste, but now slightly worried we had broken the rules, however, we tried to dismiss it and thought if we get a fine what more would it be than that. Now relaxed again and well on our way, only 30 minutes left to our next destination where we were spending a full week. Rest & relaxation at last, the thought of Castello Belvedere – Lake Garda within our grasp. Making great gains at 70 miles per hour all off a sudden the fast-approaching overhead information sign flashed in English – Toll violation check in progress. Oh no that’s us I said in a high pitched voice , what’s us? concentrating on the road Ed hadn’t even noticed it. I imagined Inspector Montalbano overtaking us in his Fiat 500 and arresting us.
Off course that didn’t happen. ☹ The next turn off at last Desenzano – the calm toll booth lady asked for our ticket, Milano ticketto no I replied nervously, in my slightly better Italian than my French voice 🙂 I think she could see the stress on my face and simply replied No Problermo. 8.60 euros per favore. Arrivederci. Barrier raised we were free to go….
The Castle on the hill – Castello Belvedere arrived safe & sound, home sweet home for 1 week.
Desenzano more to follow soon…😊
