Days 1-3....


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Europe » Italy
May 23rd 2011
Published: May 23rd 2011
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Dear All,
Here goes……..please bear in mind that I am writing this blog for our own record as well as keeping all our lovely family and friends updated. Having said that I will try not to ramble on..

The first three days of the BLT are transit days – ultimately we will be in Italy but to get there we are taking the most scenic route we can (being 6.5 tons, 3.4m high, 2.45m wide and 7.5m long) through France and Switzerland.

We have a SAT NAV (code name: FANNY) but being old fuddy duddies we don’t entirely trust her – more of her antics later.

As I write we are on day 3 and driving alongside Lac Leman towards the Simplon Pass, the sun is shining, the verdant snow-capped mountains that lie on the far side of the Lake are reflected in the still, clear water and on our left are south facing vineyards, closely and neatly hugging the slopes.

Day 1 & 2 May 21st & 22nd

Day 1: Home-Dover-Calais-Reims
We have wondered how many times we will be asked whether there are horses in the back – Dover was the first “What’s in the back”, “the bed”, look of astonishment, explanation of trip, smiles all round and loaded amongst the HGVs.
The motorway goes through the Pas de Calais & onwards towards the Vallee de la Marne (2nd day): low undulating French agricultural land, a patchwork of fields with no delineation. One of the largest ‘crops’ seems to be wind farms. With their sails turning slowly in the breeze they are not so much of a blot on the landscape as part of it. The reservoirs are empty, the grass is patchy and there are red poppies in the fields. We pass Arras and I am instantly transported to last year’s bike ride; little war cemeteries are dotted amongst the growing crops and there is a sign for Vimy Ridge where, only 12 months ago, we held a remembrance service for the thousands of Canadians that were killed defending the ridge.
To pass the time we do the crossword. We do well but I am reminded of my limitations when Duncan gets the word ‘tetrahedron’ (Clue: Four-faced solid) and my claim to fame is ‘tea towel’ (clue: Drying Cloth). Hey ho, the girl knows her place!
We park up, crack open a bottle of champagne ….

Day 2: Reims – Lausanne (the scenic way)
My turn to drive! Big Bess is not difficult to drive; there is just a lot of her. My leg is easy – French motorways are smooth & empty. The lorry has a speed limitator (90kms, 56mph) which removes all form of stress – can’t overtake even if you wanted to! There is an exhaust brake (uses the exhaust emissions to slow the engine down) which you switch on going downhill – a vital accessory given the mountainous terrain to come.

Duncan takes over as we head into the Haut Jura and up the Jura mountains. The landscape is transformed into flowering meadows full of brown and white cows (complete with bells). The lilac trees are still out and the windows boxes are full of young geraniums. As we climb it becomes more Heidesque by the mile and we finally reach 1200m, the ski resort of Les Rousses, where we are greeted by a small border crossing.

Not often has the border guard been confronted with a horse box. We are pulled to one side. He indicates with his thumb to the rear of the lorry “que ce que vous avez la”, “le lit”, incredulous expression followed by me offering him a guided tour. He accepts, he smiles, he shrugs his shoulders (mad dogs and Englishmen?), takes our money (road tax for lorries) and off we go.

Over the top and down towards Lausanne. The exhaust brake works, the air brakes work but Fanny doesn’t. She wants to take us on a small yellow road plunging off the mountain. For a bit of fun we have got her speaking in French (Veronique, apparently!) and there is much shouting of NON NON NON from us. Fanny simply doesn’t realise that we are 6.5 tons!

Lausanne slips into view through the trees, spectacular lake with mountainous backdrop. We locate LE CAMPING (this time Fanny did perform correctly) and after hot showers we are picked up by the wonderful Jonathan & Brigitte. Jonathan was at Cambridge with Duncan and although they have rarely seen each other since they embraced us into their stunning lake side home for dinner with their lovely international family.

Day 3 May 23rd Lausanne to Italy……



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23rd May 2011

Safe travels
What a great idea in keeping yourselves a journal but also keeping us eager to hear family and friends up to date as well. Your description of the scenic drive feels like we are there with you. Keep safe and look forward to hearing more...... Love Ali xx
25th May 2011

Glad to hear all is good we will keep a close eye on where you are and we wish you the best for the journey ahead . take care love Hollie and Sarah xx
25th May 2011

Wonderfully entertaining!
I am really enjoying the blog so far!! And not everyone would have got the tea towel clue!!! And able to write so wittily! If in any doubt love the solution of cracking open the Champagne! Can't wait to hear more about Veronique a.k.a. Fanny and your lit!!!
26th May 2011

Dear Everyone
Thanks for your comments. To those that have sent messages, as opposed to comments, I cant seem to reply...sorry..but thank you all the same. If you have subscribed and now wish to unsubscribe because you are bored rigid then please do so, no offence will be taken! I cant tell you how to do it though so suggest you contact my travel blog.co. thanks and bye for now xx

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