Day 1 Motorhome Milan-Bourg d'Oisans

Garry you can drive my car
Yes I'm gonna be a star
Ross you can drive my car
And maybe I love you
Beep beep'm beep beep yeah
Beep beep'm beep beep yeah

A great way to finish the La Bella 2017, with a meal together in the Great Western Continental Hotel last night. Martin Urmston the Yorkshire man, but can he play cricket for Yorkshire, NO because he was born in Lancashire, spoke on behalf of the group thanking the crew for all they meant to us and how they had made the experience so enjoyable. We also presented them with the money we had collected. All exchange sincere affection, contact details and best wishes before they retire for the evening

After the meal together many of us walked the few blocks into town, down to the Piazza by Statua di Alessandro Volta, a beautiful meeting place, balmy evening, bands playing, vintage jazz, food and wine. We finally retire for the night as we have to make our way into Milan to pick up the motorhome. Ross and I head to Como San Giovanni to catch the train, walking past the Monument of Hands.

 We are 90 klm from Milan, then we have to change trains to the southern suburbs to collect the motorhome. The train above is not the one we caught.

 Whilst changing trains in Porta Garibaldi Milan We decided to have a walk outside as we had an hours wait. Very beautiful. The famous Bosco Virticale (Vertical Forest)

Catch the train out to Lodi which is another 40 klm south of Milan. We arrange for Eduardo to have us picked up from the station. All paperwork complete, head for the nearest petrol station fill up and navigate our way back to Como, which is mostly Autostrada. Another hot day, familiarise ourselves with the dimensions of the motorhome, and driving on the right side of the road. Reach the hotel in the middle of the afternoon to pick up Paul and Garry. Peter will be heading back to Australia so will not be joining us on this leg. Safe travel Peter see you back in OZ!

Head out from Como towards the French border late afternoon, some tolls on the journey, a short stop for something to eat. We have about 400 klm so we will arrive in the evening, passing by Turin, the Alps are ever present on our right. Once past Turin we hit the foothills of the Alps and climb steadily to the border into Claviere on the Italian side at 1760 mts. A few questions from the Gendarmes border police. Bonjour Monsieur! Almost dark now, then a descent into Braincon, Viva La France. We are driving along the valley floor, slow and winding roads through many small villages. Then we come to a Lac du Chambon (Lake)and the main road is closed for major repairs which has a series of tunnels. Does not seem to be a problem, we will take the diversion around the southern side of the lake. A series of large bollards which is incredibly tight to negotiate in the van. Then we hit a bridge which can only accommodate one vehicle. The driver coming from the other side ask if we are travelling around the lake as he doubts if the motorhome will be able to fit as it is a minor road, for local traffic only. He advises we will have to take a different route and back track a 150 klm. We are not keen on this idea. Another motorist comes along and we ask the lady, she thinks we will make it. These words of hope are something we take and Garry navigates us around the narrow road of the lake with rock faces that protrude out onto the road, so we have watch our height as well. Traffic lights one way traffic at a time, no passing on this section at all. The section is a few kilometres long, well a cheeky little French man is coming the other way, he obviously did not obey the lights. He indicated that we went through on Red, sorry monsieur, it impossible for us to reverse, he is not happy, as he has to reverse all the way back. Eventually we come to sections that passing is possible, great driving Garry, a nervous drive around Lac du Chambon, we won't forget that night. Eventually arrive in Le Bourg-d'Oisans about 12.30am. Everyone in bed, no one on the gate, we pull into a campsite and quickly go to sleep. A long day. Phew!