Part Zero - The Trial (6-7 April)
Ready, set, go!
Peter and I decided to take a different kind of holiday about a year ago. We're going camping, with a car-mounted roof tent. First, we needed a suitable car, then an easy-to-use roof tent. And, of course, camping gear. We watched videos, read posts, and prepared. We also looked for the correct type of car, and then luckily just before Christmas we managed to find a second-hand Jeep in good condition.
The last few months were spent planning, and finally, it was time for the dress rehearsal: we had a nice little campsite in the Italian part of Switzerland and decided that for this time, we would go alone, without taking our Weimaraner dog, Alma, along. Of course, Alma was hoping we would change our minds until the last minute. When we opened the front door, she walked out almost unnoticed, but we were on our guard and coaxed her back into the apartment. "Next time you'll come too!" we promised her, and she sadly curled up on our bed, immediately collecting the slippers for herself.
We headed to Valle Maggia, to the TCS campsite in Gordevio, next to the river. The 180 km distance can be covered in about 2.5 hours if there is no significant congestion in the Gotthard tunnel. This time, there was no big traffic jam. The queue of cars stopped just before the tunnel, and we could continue at a good pace again after a few red lights. At Locarno, we stopped for lunch, and after another half-hour drive, we arrived at the campsite.
We checked in at the reception and were allocated seat number 65. We rolled up, levelled the car and started unloading. We unloaded the ladder, camping chairs, and table, set up the tent, aired it out, opened the sleeping bags, and brought electricity. We rested, sunbathed, went down to the riverside, then got on our bikes and rode around the area.
From the suspension bridge over the Maggia River, we had a fantastic view of the bright green, clear-coloured river water, the still snow-capped mountain peaks and the awakening spring forest. After the bike ride, it was time for another adventure at the campsite: an evening of cooking and sharing a gin and tonic in the slowly descending evening.
It was brutally cold at night and at dawn, only 8 degrees. Brrr! I was so cold, I couldn't wait for the morning. The sun crept slowly up over the mountains, and it started to get light at 7am. We took our time, had a leisurely breakfast, boiled eggs and toasted bread, drank hot coffee and tea, and then packed up and headed for Maggia, where we wanted to see the Cascata del Salto waterfall. Google Maps showed the way wrong; we detoured but eventually found the waterfall.
But we found not only the waterfall but also an idyllic hotel. We sat on the terrace and admired the authentic details, the rustic house, and the modern additions to the building. Then, the reception lady showed us around the hotel, showing us the rooms, the wine cellar, and the garden overlooking the river.
It will be worth returning, but until then: Arrivederci, bella Ticino!
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