Rather than going along the coast and into Southern France, we decided to use the Frejus Tunnel to cut out a long drive. This meant, against our normal principals, that we had to use motorways. It also meant that we were saying goodbye to Italy and Italian driving. Italy where speed limits are for guidance of others and the observance of fools. Italy where overtaking anywhere is possible even in 'no overtaking' areas or around blind bends. Italy where drivers are very understanding when they find someone approaching them rapidly on their side of the road but will blast the horn if someone has not gone through the lights within one millisecond of them turning green. I could continue but I have to say that I almost got used to it in the time that we were there and things that I found unnerving when we first arrived didn't even get a mention by the time that we left. And I must say that I have some sympathy for the Italians when it comes to speed limits as the authorities put up signs imposing ridiculous and impractical limits that nobody observes. On major roads and even motorways when there is a bend, poor road surface or any roadworks, the limit is often reduced to 30 kmh (less than 20 mph) and even as low as 15 kmh (less than 10mph). Faced with continually changing speed limits that are impracticably low the Italian drivers simply ignore all speed limits unless, of course, they are warned of a speed trap by the flashing headlights of oncoming vehicles.
The journey to the tunnel was pretty as we approached the mountains but after travelling through the 12km of tunnel (at a cost of €44 – ouch!) the scenery got even better. Steep-sided valleys with snow-capped peaks were followed by gorges and a very long, deep valley with a wide, fast-flowing river.
By the time that we arrived in Chambery the countryside had flattened out and was not as interesting. We found the aire easily and were lucky to get the last place in the car park large enough to take the motorhome.
We walked for ten minutes to get to the city centre with the idea of asking the Tourist Information Office about Internet access. However, on the way we passed a Quick fast food restaurant, which is a McDonalds look-alike and, like them, it offers free WiFi access. We went in and bought a milk shake and coffee for a total of €2 and sat down to use the Internet. The battery in my laptop is nearly worn out and only lasts a very short time, so I need a mains connection. Inspecting the premises, I found that there were only three tables with a mains socket and two of those were taken by other Internet users. We occupied the other table and I attempted to log on but I couldn't get it to work even though I could see the service on the WiFi list. I asked one of the other users who fortunately spoke English and he explained that he had to go further into the café to get it to work. This I did and then had to stretch the mains lead to a table that was closer to the centre and even then it was touch and go, meaning that I had to occasionally unplug and walk down the café to regain the connection. Having said that, we had one and a half hours of Internet access for €2 with free drinks, so I can't complain! I felt a little guilty until I realised that the other two people using the mains connections had been there for hours (one was having a meeting with someone when we arrived), both were still there when we left and neither of them bought anything whilst we were there. In fact the café seemed to be used as a general meeting place. All of the time people wandered in, sat down and had a chat without buying anything. A very impressive public service but not very good for the profits.
Photos: A fresh milk machine in Cherasco – you may bring your own bottle or but a plastic or glass one from the machine and at €1 per litre it was much cheaper than buying it in the supermarket; This is one up on those people who tow a boat behind their car – the owner wasn't there so I couldn't ask for a trial flight.
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