Al Censo

Yippee! Holiday time. Auffahrt Thursday, company well-being Friday plus the weekend. 6 weeks ago I booked a campsite for 2 camper vans, a tent and 6 adults down near Bellinzona in Tessin. Luckily I picked the best direction for the weather, the south. Two of our friends have retired early, and have a lovely new van, so they went down 2 days earlier. We set off at 7.15, car packed, bike rack and bikes attached, arrived at the Gotthard tunnel by 8.30, and only had to wait 5 mins to get in. About 15 mins later, we were in the sun, temperature 8 degrees higher on the south side of the Alps.
After checking in at the campsite we had a super spot surrounded by palm trees, lilac, snow ball trees, with a fantastic view of this waterfall, an down to the peaks of Pizzo di Cima, 2245m and surrounding peaks. We put our tables together and had a long brunch and catch up. 4 of us set off on the bicycles down to Bellinzona, while 2 of the men opted for an afternoon sleep!
It was a 10 km downhill ride to Bellinzona, we could cycle right in, and get in the queue at the best gelatteria in Bellinzona. After a delicious mango gelato, we had a cycle around the city. Wasn’t quite so easy, cycling back up to the campsite! We stopped of to look at some of the lovely old buildings and churches in Claro village.
Iris and I opted for a cold shower at the pool, and a swim. Oh it was shockingly cold! About 15 deg, they only just opened it for the season. The weather was on the change, so Mr S rigged up a huge flysheet over the friends sun shade so we could all sit sheltered when it started. Just in time, it really chucked it down for about 2 hours. Theres made a wonderful mushroom risotto, which was washed down with plenty of Merlot de Ticino. Had a schumli pflumli to warm us up before bed, the coffee with plum schnapps and whipped cream.
Cycling, 25km round trip Claro to Bellinzona.