289. Rapid

Near Zermatt, The Matterhorn, Switzerland

The two gondolas
from the camp

Today we thought that we would head into Genevia for the day as we leave on Sunday the thirtieth. While making a cup of tea I glanced at my phone, as one does and saw that it was Saturday the thirtieth and we needed to be out by eleven. This was quite an ask as usually, the afternoon before I de-rig and load Teasel onto the roof of the disco and load all the bikes onto the Giantavan then on the day of departure get cracking with the pack up at about eight thirty. This usually means that we depart at a bit after midday.

What a flap, crikey, not fun. Luckily, the people booked for our site had not appeared by the time we departed, boat loaded, at about ten past twelve. Louis was charming and very disappointed that we were leaving which was lovely. I met his son and with there help had virtually thrown Teasel onto the roof rack in haste. Lois was very complimentary about my boat loading system.

Lake Geneva

It was a thirty degree day by the time we were ready to depart and I had the portable fridge with drinks plugged into the boot of the Disco. Jumped into the Disco and the battery was flat. The perfect addition to a stressful morning. Luckily I have a battery charger that can boost to twenty Amps so, the battery was charged to twenty five percent in five minutes and able to start the car, phew.

The Disco with its new EGR valve is again a joy to drive, pulling strongly from fifteen hundred rpm. Stopped above Lake Genevia for pizzas heated in the oven with children immediately collapsing and dying of heat on egressing the Disco, sensitive little darlings.

Unterbäch Gondola

Eischoll Gondola

Arrived at camp to be informed that I had booked from the thirtieth of July - what an idiot! I was just starting to stress as the last campsite was booked out when she said, no problem, there is plenty of room and suggested I have a look at five different sites.

There are two gondolas running from within fifty metres of the Giantavan and a huge amount of space. Ate outside and on on dusk large Rapidflying beetles arrived, clumsily, blundering around and into us. Quite fun once the children recognised that they are harmless. On dusk the mozzies arrived. Luckily we had Jacqueline with us to take the hits and we rapidly retreated into the Giantavan with its air conditioning and insect screens.