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Published: June 24th 2017
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We wake to another fine morning. The temperatures remain pleasantly mild here in the mountains. Yesterday we were more concerned about sunburn than hypothermia. Today looks the same but thunderstorms are forecast for later in the day. So, instead of the leisurely start to the day we’ll go sightseeing and be back before the weather changes.
Today’s trip will follow the circuit that the cyclists used on Sunday but in reverse. It includes three mountain passes with one reaching 2165 metres. Looking at Google Maps there will be plenty of hairpin bends. We expect to see some great scenery. The road passes through part of a national park so we also hope to catch a glimpse of more alpine flowers. Who knows, today we might find the blue alpine gentian.
As it is Tuesday, and a work day for some, we thought the roads would be clear of cyclists and motorcyclists. Obviously many take an early summer break to either test their stamina or test their motor racing skills. Passing the cyclists can be tricky as they struggle towards a sharp bend, only to have either a motorcyclist passing you or a vehicle coming towards you. The road feels
very crowded at times.
We reach the summit of the first pass, Valparola, and stop for a coffee. We get our first glimpse of the motorcyclists without their protective gear. They are all retired motor cycle champions with grey or thinning hair and strong build, obviously on holiday.
Driving on we pass through a real moonscape of rock that has tumbled from the mountains above us. In amongst the rock are patches of alpine plants all in full bloom. One in particular catches our eye, a low growing cushion of a plant with small bright pink flowers. It would make a wonderful addition to our collection back home but fortunately we are considerate Kiwis and the plants look better in their natural environment. So we only take photos. MAF at the NZ border would take a dim view of two botanists returning with a suitcase full of plants.
We take every opportunity to stop and explore. As we drive through the next pass, Falzarego, we negotiate bus loads of tourists. Are they from the garden clubs further down the mountains all hunting for the elusive alpine gentian? Probably not, just groups of retirees on an outing.
As we descend the second pass we stop and find an easy access onto an alpine meadow. Stubby conifers dot the landscape, yellow flowers everywhere, even a few of what we thought were gentians are here. As we climb our way through some large rocks we glance to our right and....there growing in the crevices of the rock are the brilliant blue alpine gentians. The wild cheering can be heard in Venice. The world famous botanists have found the holy grail of alpine plants. One member is so overcome we think there is a need to dial 118 for Mountain Rescue and oxygen. The cameras almost overheat. By chance we glimpse up the hill into a jumble of stunned conifers and see what looks like another unusual flower. On closer inspection we have discovered a clematis. It is mauve blue with four pointed petals. As the discoverers of this new species we have called it clematis chrisandmarilynii (actually the real name is clematis alpina).
We continue our journey down from the pass. How do the roading engineers manage to build these switchback roads on sheer precipices? The mood in the car is amazing. We have planned this three month
journey around this one occasion and it has happened. The rest of the trip and the wonders it will bring are a bonus. Friends and family back home will be bored silly with this story. Perhaps the local garden club will want a slide show presentation of our expedition. Who knows, Natural History NZ will want to record a programme based on our discovery. We come back to Earth quite quickly as we drive over the last pass, Campolongo, and a cyclist passes us on the downhill run. We don’t care. We are full of the joys of life.
Just as we head out for dinner the thunderstorm starts. Fortunately it is somewhere in the mountains around us. Perhaps it is heralding our day of discovery.
Tomorrow we leave the mountains but we have one exciting drive ahead of us.
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