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Sitting here with a huge window and balcony at the lakes edge in Meina, Lake Maggiore Italy and the rain us beating on the windows. Not ever day is going to have wonderful sunny weather but so far in 4 weeks this is only the 2nd day if rain so we have been very lucky.
We travelled over the Pyrenees through some spectacular scenery, through Carcasonne to Orange in France on Friday. We have been to Orange before and it was a good half way stop to reaching the Italian Lakes. The Roman theatre is fantastic and it is one if only three remaining that still has the front walk if the theatre. We went for a walk in the hills around the park the theatre is built into and it a shame that these areas are not treated with the same respect they show for the historical artefacts. Dog s***, dead rats and all diets of other rubbish everywhere. The French love their dogs but why they do not clean up after them is a wonder. Had a lovely Vietnamese/Thai meal at a restaurant overlooking the theatre so that put a bit of a shine back on the evening.
We decided to drive the route through the French alps that gave us a chance to see Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe at 4,810 metres and we were not disappointed. The views are amazing with craggy rocky peaks 2,500 metres high all around. The Mont Blanc tunnel is 11.6 kilometres long and just before entering the tunnel a glacier runs just above the road. At 40 euro for the 11km trip not exactly cheap, but the views were well worthwhile. We all could not believe how populated the area was with houses, chalets and hotel complexes in every valley.
After leaving the main tunnel, you travel down the mountain through another series of 7 or 8 tunnels each several kilometres long. The engineering and obvious expense spent on roads in Europe had amazed us. Makes a joke of our governments commitments now and in the past to our road and rail infrastructures.
Back to Meini, we have just had a wonderful breakfast and Robyn was serenaded on the piano by our hosts Fabio and his wife on the piano. We had some great discussion about travel and Australia with them and another guest staying at this B&B. One of the other pleasures of travel is meeting people and getting a different perspective on things.
Must away as it had stopped raining and intend to make the most of the day we have in this beautiful part if the world.
- comments
Prue Hi G & R - sounds wonderful and beautiful apart from stinky France! Am enjoying reading your blog - just had a funny thing happen I was reading your blog when another travellers blog came up - an Aussie volunteering in Kenya for 6 weeks - right up my alley - her blog was super interesting too. Have accessed your blog from home and can view your photos now.. Enjoy Italy. PS. I might be going on a big trip next year with Mum to parts of Europe and maybe Russia