Long story – But Julie’s yoga teacher and her partner own a holiday home near Lake Como in Italy and this year they thought it would be a good idea to offer a yoga holiday in a nearby hotel, so-----
On Wednesday 24th May we set off to Lake Como in the XKR, stopping overnight at our daughter’s house in London before catching the 10am Eurotunnel train the next day and travelling to near Reims for our first nights stop over.
On Friday we travelled to Basel in Switzerland, stopping en route in a fantastic village called Kayserberg for refreshments and a break. If you are ever travelling this route through the Vosges (Nancy to Colmar on the A415) it is a place not to be missed. It is a fantastic Disney-like place, with wonderful old buildings and interesting shops and eating places. On to Basel, we spent two nights visiting friends and sampling the local wine and food before heading south over the St Gothards pass into Italy and on to our hotel in Mandello de Lario near Lake Como. We had the roof down all the way until Como when it started to rain. This became a feature of the region, with nice daytime sunshine followed by thunder & lightening, rain and sometimes hail, at night.
While the yoga group did their morning thing the rest were taken on a mountain “walks”. The first day was supposed to be an easy starter but 8hrs later and after a 1750 metre climb we arrived back at the hotel exhausted. The next day reminded me that I am indeed 70 years old and not the 30 years in my head, so I declined the next two harder hikes and instead opted for some easier walks on offer and a comprehensive tour of the lake towns, shops and restaurants with Julie in the afternoon and evenings. Much more relaxing!
A great week was rewarded with another tops-down return over the St Gothards and a great 2 day run back to the UK, stopping overnight near Nancy. Fantastic clear, low traffic volume, pot hole free roads all the way. Only once blasted out of the way by a convoy of UK McLarens (2), a Lotus Emira, and two Porsche Carrera S. Impressive!
Typically on arriving back home and leaving the Eurotunnel, we were subjected to miles of restricted carriageway at 50mph speed limit and a 40 minute hold up at the Dartford tunnel. Welcome to the UK!!!
Home on Sunday 4th June after 2000 miles, average speed 56.5 mph and 26.5 mpg. The car never missed a beat.
Words and Photo's: Mike and Julie Overend
