Cruising in Ebenezer Mk II we decided to meander South, vaguely in the direction of Italy and to investigate the Italian section of the Alps. The Dolomites sounded like a grand idea, so that became what we tentatively called ‘our plan’. Of course it didn’t take much encouragement from roadside info boards (written in a language we didn’t understand) to cause us to veer off and explore a wobbly-looking road that ‘probably’ went up a mountain.
Well it did, a skinny road up a steep mountain’s edge to heights of just under 3 km above sea level. We were a bit shocked that we were scalped 35 Euros for the privilege at a toll gate (having not had to pay for mountain passes before) but the views were well worth it. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road took us to view Austria’s highest peak. We stood there shivering in a snow fall with temperatures of 3.1 degrees waiting for the clouds to part so we could get momentary glimpses of that amazing lump of sharp and frozen rock. It was undeniably beautiful despite the extreme physical discomfort of temperatures below a properly civilised 30 degrees Celsius.
Georgie posed the question why we seem so in awe of bits of white stuff on a mountain peak, to which Rod had no reasonable reply, but we both agreed that it was still bloody awesome despite the irrationality of it.
We will continue our journey to Italy and finally get to see those bits of France we missed before, but don’t be surprised if we get side tracked again.
Difficult to grasp the sheer **size**!!
Wow, utterly gorgeous. This really is the trip of a lifetime. So much contrast and beauty so far in your journey xx