Fishermans Friend

Who in their right mind would ever think of flavouring vodka with Fishermans Friends ? Vicky Bailey apparently. It was an odd concoction, but it cleared out your passages. By the third glass I could breathe through every orifice. Jim had a few glasses, and a few of the very cheap coffee liqueur and possibly a beer or two to mix it all together. Hence Jim is in the dog house this morning and they won't be setting off for a good while. I blame Vicky. 

It's yet another beautiful, tranquil spot we have found ourselves in. Right on the bank (and I do mean right on the bank) of Lake Iseo in Northern Italy. Perhaps slightly less well known than its big brother Lake Garda, but nonetheless a stunning place to pitch up at after a long drive yesterday afternoon from Venice.

Now that should have been a quick two hour drive but due to a lorry load of broken glass spilt on the motorway, we were delayed by a few hours. 

Mark of Team Nightmare and Mark of Team Trauma had introduced me to a phone app which allows you to see where they are, and vice versa. Great, really useful, until you take a wrong turning, then everyone knows and can text you some abuse. 

And so, tired, sweaty and hungry, we found ourselves at a gorgeous location with cheap Italian food and even cheap Italian beer. A round of 3 drinks here cost the same as one drink in Venice. 

Venice. Where we found ourselves around lunchtime. This was my third visit and it is still fascinating. 

I would urge anyone who hasn't been to go there. It is truly an iconic, unique city. Go there, but for God's sake do not buy an umbrella. The Japanese tourists are attracted to them in swarms. The number of people I saw proudly showing off their new umbrellas, not realising that there were hordes of Japanese tourists following them in a silent flock, and once they start, they are almost impossible to shake off. 

Team Trigger had split up for the day. Tasha had gone to Venice by limo with the Newlyweds to allow Robin and Sam to visit Lake Garda instead.

Team Chameleon, eager as ever, had skipped Venice in the hope of returning some day to do it properly. They had aimed to camp at the bottom of the next days destination, the Stelvio Pass. Unable to resist, like a couple of small children with a pile of Christmas presents and no adult supervision, they had taken the Proton up and down in the evening, just to try the road out. I dare say we shall bump in to Mark with a silly grin later on today judging by the gushing, excited texts all evening. 

Team Lotus, aware that the destination for the day was Venice, had booked themselves in to a swanky pad on the waterfront near St Marks Square for 60 euros. Great place to stay for the night, unless you intend to push on to the northern tip of Italy the next day. It's a bit of a haul. 

And so, as various teams sip coffee, pack tents and contemplate life on the banks of Lake Iseo, somebody is working hard to make a rendezvous with us. My little (alright, younger, he's about 4 inches taller than me) brother Adam is cycling from his normal abode near Saas Fee to meet us in Zernez. It's a bit hilly that Switzerland. I'm glad we have a trusty, mountain climbing camper van. 

Lets just hope Jim is in a fit state later for a bit of socialising with his offspring.