Greetings from Garda

We have arrived at Largo di Garda, on its south-west shore, at the town of Manerba del Garda.  The site, Camping Zocco, is approached by a track that becomes steeper and narrower as you descend.  Had the sat nav lead us in the wrong direction? Would another van come up the road towards us? Will we need to....reverse!?!!! – such are the questions intrepid caravaners must worry themselves with!!! Anyway needless to say good old sat nav worked (I knew it would!) and we are now ensconced in an olive grove that overlooks the lake.  We can’t quite see it from our plot, but we know it’s there and we didn’t like to risk heading down to a lower terrace our clutch being the way it is (read earlier blogs for more info!!!)

The weather was glorious until Thursday evening when a huge thunder storm descended.  On day one we went on a geo-cache that took us all around an archaeological site high up on a promontory and gave us fantastic views of the rolling countryside in the foreground, the lake and a backdrop of the mountains to the north.  Unfortunately no geo-cache was located but the treasure-seekers appetite is now whetted!

Wednesday after a morning of school (yes Mr Gellini was teaching again!) in recognition of Sulby School sports day we held our own sports day on the football pitch above the swimming pool.  We had javelin throwing, egg and spoon (badminton racquet and shuttle-cock), skipping race and flat racing against the stopwatch, even I joined in!! There was excitement, disappointment, tears – just like the real deal.

We then headed to the bay of Salo – long stone esplanade, tall cyprus trees, boats bobbing at anchor, crystal clear water.....restaurants with starched linen... I’ll stop now!

On Thursday morning Ames and Ben French studies continued; les cours... ‘A la plage’ whilst Tom sat with Daddy in the gardens next door and played cards whilst Kev down-loaded the next installment of Sat Nav for France... exciting stuff this travelling malarky!  In the afternoon we went on an intrepid walk from Manerba along the coastal footpath to the viewpoint at Belvadere.  As Gelling adventures want to, it turned into somewhat of a more adventurous trip as we navigated the stony, uneven footpath with sheer drops down to the lake, but that was the least of our worries.  As we dropped through woodland and scrub to the bottom of the cliff we were passed by several good-looking men who all smiled courteously as we made room for them to pass.  It was only as we reached a dead-end at the bottom of the slope that we realised we had hit upon something of a Hampstead Heath area and quickly turned on our heels and marched our off-spring back along the hazardous drop-off to the top-path and into town for well-deserved ice-creams!!

On Saturday we had a fabulous trip across the lake from Maderno to Torri del Benaco.  Although the weather was still rather inclement, we wended our way along the terraced shoreline, with glimpses of sumptious weekend get-aways from Milano with steep terraced gardens, hanging with ivy, vines, citrus fruit and large square canopies strung to provide shade.  The boat set off, just in time for Ben and Tom to decide that they needed the loo (so I missed the initial 5 minutes!) but the scenery as I looked out from the porthole was stunning.  The light being the way it was gave an unrealistic 3-dimensional view of the landscape, with the shoreline in the foreground, the near hills centre and the mountains in the distance (I know that the photos just won’t do the scene justice.)

We wandered around the east coast town though the back streets (that smelt of Alpine villages) and came out on a square that faced the lake.  A wedding ceremony was spilling out of the square’s church, people dressed in their finery – ladies in short silk dresses in vibrant colours, fascinators pinned to their coiffured hair, perched upon tritty-trotty heels, the men in sharp dark suits many sporting sunglasses.  The bride had arrived on a large black speedboat (only in Italy!) and we managed to gain a glimpse of the couple (obvious from their beautific smiles) but unfortunately missed the dress.

Lunch was simple but delicious, pizza with a carafe of rose overlooking the lake, with the mountains behind.  Ben had a huge bowl of mussels and was fortunately most well afterwards – didn’t really feel like clearing up in a small van!

Today, our last in Italy, has been most relaxing.  Tom woke up early (well 8.15) and I took him and his beloved pack of playing cards down to the lake, wandered along the wooden pier that projects into the lake some 20 metres, and sat playing ‘give away’ and ‘ocky knocky’ as the sun rose higher in the sky and the lake slopped under our feet.  Having had our wholesome breakfast of baguette and jam (& the obligatory coffee) we gave the inside of the van a quick clean whilst the tiddlers dammed the stream to the side of the camp, then went up to the pool.  Although the sun was out and the place was the busiest it’s been since our arrival the water was still freezing.  I managed to push out my usual 30 lengths!?!  :-) and the children managed a few minutes splashing around, particularly ‘king of the pool’ who has now mastered back flips under water, but my husband didn’t stay in for long!

After a lunch washed down with peach bellinis, this afternoon we’re wandering down to the lake to try out the lilos that a kind Dutch couple gave to us on their departure, then it’s packing up camp, chicken breast with Boursin for tea and an early night after watching the Italian-set ‘Stealing Beauty’ with the divine Liv Tyler. 

Tomorrow we have a day-long journey west, back to France and to the town of Draguignan in order to take in an early stage of La Tour on the 3rd July before meeting up with Mum and Dad in Provence.

Hope that this blog finds you all well. Arrivederci for now!  xxx