Italy Road Trip: Down Time on the Shores of Lake Magiore.

After an excellent meal in the restaurant last night and some of that magic liquid bierra, a good night's sleep was enjoyed. Woke early this morning in order to Skype son Thomas to wish him Happy Birthday before he set off to Laggan mountain biking. After breakfast we loaded up and set off for the 50 minute drive over to Lake Maggiore. Well it would have been 50 minutes without a logistical hitch: Swiss and Italian customs. I know Lugarno is a bustling busy city but I have never seen so many traffic queues all heading to the customs. It took us 30 minutes in the queue to get there only to find I had inadvertently got in the wrong lane. Waved imperiously away by a stern faced official, there was no alternative to turn around and start again; fortunately the second queue moved more quickly and we only lost another ten minutes. Once over the border the route took us through delightfully wooded and quiet lanes over the hills separating us from Maggiore. We soon found our chosen site at Ispra and quickly had the tent up. For those interested in such technicalities the tent took 20 minutes and settling in another 20. It was extremely hot by now and I was desperately thirsty. There was only one possible remedy ...... a cold beer in the shade of a nearby tree. Our pitch is right by the lakeside with stunning views up to Locarno and across the lake to the spectacular snow covered summits of the Monte Rosa peaks at over 4000m. It is clearly the start in the new season here as boats are being launched after their winter rest and weed being raked from the edge of the swimming beach. There is an interesting looking restaurant on site which will repay a visit but for tonight we have food that needs using up. I am sure, however, that I might find my way up to the bar later. Today's downtime has been welcome after yesterday's long day but were are already planning for tomorrow.
Wildlife highlight of the day is the nuthatch I have just seen feeding chicks at the nest hole in the tree that shades the tent.!!! Magic.