In search of a mountain

Did I say the sky was lifting? I was wrong!

In search of mountain vistas I headed for Macugnaga, at the foot of Monte Rosa which is supposed to be one of the highest in Europe.  Well I got to Macugnaga OK but Monte Rosa was nowhere in sight. Mac.. is at about 1400 metres, and the cloud cover started at 1450 metres I think. The road up was narrow and twisty as expected with some sections where the road is actually under a rock overhang.

There were many small villages made mainly from rock then eventually Macugnaga, which is like a ski village (actually it IS a ski village) There is a cable car from Mac.. but of course it wasn't running as there is no snow. It would have gone to over 3000 metres, with mountains in the area over 4600 metres. One of the small villages had a fascinating memorial to soldiers and partisans of both world wars. It was shaped like a pyramid, with a name and sometimes a photo on a piece of stone - see the photo

Having had enough cloud I retreated back to near Stresa, where there is a cable car up to Mottarone at about 1400 metres. I had the pleasure of sharing a ride with about 20 german students who where like all students - quite loud but well behaved. Did I say I had had enough cloud?  I was wrong, again.  About half way up we lost all sight of everything.  It reminded me of skiing in a white-out. The best thing about the ride was the toboggan ride at the top. Like the one in whittlesea. I know, I am a big kid at heart.

I came back to Stresa to try to find some accommodation in Como for when Di returns. Received a text from her to say she had norovirus and was feeling very poorly. Not nice.