After a very hot day in Vicenza we decided to avoid the busy-ness of Lake Garda and found Lake Caldonazzo to cool off in and then retreated again to the mountains and have been following the Alps to get us to Germany. After following the wide flat valley through Bolsano we navigated hair pin bends, climbing up a seemingly vertical wooded slope before it opened up into a 'new world' of pastures, hay meadows and chalets - we'd arrived in Sud Tyrol! Our campsite was quite busy (for us) but we were at the edge - with a lovely view, a walk directly from the site up through meadows with beautiful palomino horses and cows with bells. And they served excellent beer and pizza! The next day we felt sad to leave the seemingly hidden world and descend - but it wasn't for long - the drive took us up and over the Timmelsjoch pass. Through the tree line to the rock and screed, snow where the sun didn't get to and views to higher peaks. Lots and lots of motorbikers, cyclists and a day out for Porsche enthusiasts made the drive quite hairy! I get quite nervous where there aren't barriers and motorbikes are sweeping round the corners - but Lance and Archie took it all in their stride. Over the pass, through a tunnel and we emerged into Austria and a string of small ski resorts - chalets, lifts, cafes and shops all starting to open for the summer season. Our overnight was in Solden in a busy site, but close to a rushing stream. We'd stopped there in the hope that we could go up high in a cable car, but the following day broke rainy and the route was closed. We drove on, round the mountain we'd been at the base of for the night and back into Italy! Finding a simple motorhome park up in San Valentino, we could almost step out of Archie onto the cable car, which was open this side of the mountain. Nala wasn't phased at all and, after a dip in a high lake, could bounce and run around as we walked along a piney path following the contour. It was a lovely walk - dripping moss, the sound of cow bells from lower in the valley and to cap it - the cloud lifting as we got back to the cable car so we had a view across the valley to high, snowy peaks. We even had time for hot chocolate and apple strudel! The next day we passed imperceptibly into Switzerland, and then descended into a valley with beautiful views amidst rocky peaks, following rushing glacial coloured water at the bottom, bright yellowy green meadows beneath the trees. A winding road, that climbed slowly until we rose above the treeline and up to the Fluela pass - all rock and screed and quite deep snow in the gulleys still. And today it was the turn of vintage Mercedes sports cars on the winding roads. Such fun - the cars make you smile! The road wound down, following the river, the odd logging factory, lots of hydro electric power, small villages and meadows dotted with huts under the forbidding ridges, and down into Davos, which was rather unassuming and past Klosters in the distance. And then the river became the border to Liechtenstein, which we dipped a toe into the following day - Lance had always wanted to go to such a small nation - we discovered that the national anthem has the same tune as ours and the numberplates are the best designed we've seen! Next, criss crossing the Rhine and borders, to land in Bavaria and a beautiful camping spot in an orchard - the gentle fields full of cherries for kirsch and kuchen, apples for strudel and hops for beer. How could we have thought that the adventure was over as we turned west to home? Each day we are still having new experiences - loving being in the van, which becomes more precious and home each day - feeling the freedom but also starting to anticipate the return. We have some days with friends now and then we'll cross to France for our final week.

We've been reflecting on what has been special about this trip. Whilst the sights and new experiences have been wonderful, for Clare it's been the wild swimming and wild camping - reducing everything to the essentials. For Lance, it's been the onward motion, the newness of each day. We'll somehow have to carry those things forward. And whilst we're sad that this is coming to an end, we're looking forward to seeing friends and family and turning our minds to the work we want to do at home.