Last morning of hotel luxury, so got fully 'fuelled up' with the Full Swiss Breakfast; bread, cheese, salami, egg etc. then drove up to the international scout centre.

The Crowle lot were all there sorting kit, inspecting tents and checking paperwork. After our farewells we took the boys back to use the hotel facilities to sort their bags. Which were in surprisingly good state given the chaos of the weather and 5 adolescents per tent. Don't think anything very much was lost. The boys were full of their week of adventure and being with their mates.

Then headed off for Italy. The first part of the journey takes you from Kandersteg under the Alps on a train. A bit like a mini channel tunnel crossing. After a 15 minute ride we then headed for a the mountain pass into Italy. Todays's blog photograph is of us on this road. In Italy and we were glad to see that the stereotypes held for Italian infrastructure; potholes and dodgy looking tunnels.

Then arrived at Camping Royal, Pratolungo. The pitch with the best views of Lake Orta risked a holiday ending rolling van down the hillside, so we went for the safe option. Another jolly evening with Will as quiz master while the most spectacular thunderstorm raged. All snug in our camp.

Richard