This is our second attempt to climb in Chironico and Cresciano this trip. First time = +30 degrees with insect infestations (rookie error, arriving in summer), second time = -4 degrees with wet slushy snow!
But the weather has been impromptu, and we are slightly frustrated with our lack of climbing, the last couple of weeks has been littered with thunder storms, extensive rain during the night, and when you wake in the morning the rain has turned to snow and we are sat in a beautifully cold and wet winter wonderland… beautiful but not ideal for climbing.
We have kept busy by baking van Ginger biscuits… there was more but they disappeared before i had a chance to photograph.
Cookies!
Then we ran out of tea bags!!! but not to worry we found more fun could be had with the cardboard box.
Jase and Claire took their leave a few days ago and fled to the warmer temperatures of Southern France and then onto Spain for the winter. Our choice to hover was based on the fact that most of Northern Europe is being hit by wet conditions at the minute, and our plan was always to keep heading north (although turning tale and running back to Spain does sound appealing). I think this is the perfect time to discuss Paul and Jases choice of wardrobe over the past fews months, whilst travelling together me and Claire started to notice that Paul and Jase were ‘accidently’ dressing more and more alike and it didn’t take us long to take some sneaky photographic eveidence of the two dressed the same doing the same…. So just for fun
So with nowhere to go for guaranteed conditions we have been enjoying some spectacular snowy scenery and hikes in Val Blenio.
Lago Luzzone
Including finding the scariest looking climbing wall bolted up the face of a scooped dam.
We then used another damp day to go view Bellinzonas castle and explore the city a little.
Castel Grande Bellinzona
In amongst all this we accidently played a round of teatime roulette, by consuming a mouldy pepper mixed with 5 days out of date sausage and some slightly riper than usual feta cheese… I hate visiting the woods in the dark!
Since that teatime failure we have moved up in the world and after exploiting the campsite washing machine to wash every last item of material in our van last night, we enjoyed a super-hot shower instead of a quick dip in the 2 degree river. Then… we went out for tea! I discovered a lovely new tasty drink, but have yet to work out what it is, it goes by the name Spritz I think, and it went very well with the largest Calzone pizza I have ever seen…
All this time we have been hoping that the forecast would pick up again for the next week and leave us with amazing Swiss climbing conditions….…
Today we are heading to Germany! Hopefully we will meet with some friends, it’s wet but at least 10 degrees warmer and I here Germany has some brilliant indoor climbing walls 🙂
Scribbles from the Roadside 
I’ve had spritz before! I think in Venice, I asked for sprite, got spritz instead enjoyed it so had a couple more and was quite drunk! It looks like iron bru?! But a million times nicer.
Shame about your weather conditions but if it’s any consolation it’s crap here and a lot less picturesque! Your photos are stunning by the way!
Take care – and keep the updates coming
Helen
Xxx
Spritz is made from a liquire called Aperol (made with sweet and bitter oranges) sparkling wine, sparkling water and a slice of orange and ice. Looks delicious 🙂