Monday May 13, Chiusa, Italy

Oberau this morning..picture perfect.

Yes, finally made it to Italy after leaving Germany this morning, passing through Austria and arriving in Italy via the Brenner Pass. Its been a bit “testing” at times as we avoided the motorways in Austria. We found out from Hitten that that we would need a “GoBox” to use on Austrian motorways as we are over 3.5 tonnes, and it is not only expensive but rather complicated. But the B roads are excellent evidently and often run beside the motorways.

We set off from camp this morning after a very quiet night and the rain had stopped, although still not very warm. Called into a supermarket at Oberau and stocked up so we wouldn’t need to try and find a supermarket fort the next few days. It always seems to take a few days to find our way around a new country, learning the new road signs, what supermarkets they have and finding camping spots etc.

It was breathtakingly beautiful driving up into the mountains with snow all around us. Scenes so typical of the alps, small areas of farmland, with little sheds dotted all around. And always snowy peaks.

Crossed into Austria and headed through Innusbruck, all the time following Jilly’s directions. The main road was very interesting at one stage, a 16% downhill slope for about 3 km’s! All was going well following the B roads until we hit a road closure near the city and Jilly rerouted us on a very narrow road that wound through small villages, that went on for km’s! The scenery was stunning but I couldn’t pick the camera up as I was watching the road as much as the driver! And there was nowhere to pullover to admire the views.

We made it back to the “main road” and found a spot to pull over for a very late lunch and to catch our breath. The scenery in this area is so vast and majestic, and I need to keep pinching myself that we are really here.

By this stage we were both feeling ready to finish for the day, but the nearest place I could find on Park4night was at Chuisa, an hour away so off we went with Jilly taking charge. Great relief to finally park up the night. After a cuppa I walked into the town, Ian deciding that he had enough for the day!!!  

And what a great surprise….the most beautiful little village with a narrow pedestrian only cobbled lane with really nice little shops. We will both have a wander in again in the morning, and hopefully the sun might come out. Some more rain again tonight!!

Mountain views.

Warning for the very steep downhill....should have been on skis!

One photo from our rather narrow minor road experience.

And a walk into town tonight.