4 days to go...

We arrived last night in La Villa, exhausted after a 7 hour drive from Vienna in torrential rain dodging lorries and other mad motorists on the way.

On the way, we stopped at the home of kitsch at the Kristallwelten Swarovski art display in Wattens. It has to be seen to be believed.

According to CNN, this is supposed to be one of the seven wonders of the world.

Complete with fountains and a zebra in a pink shoe

 Various heads

 Crystal palaces

and the Flake lady

Finally we arrive in La Villa.
The view from the room is spectacular! but shock and horror. The Dolomites are still cold with remnants of snow and it is now the beginning of July.

1 July and cloudy and wet. We had a long and winding route today:
La Villa to Corvara, Passo Campolongo, Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Val Gardena then a long winding downhill back to Corvara and La Villa (60km in 3.5 hours)

Sarah was surprised by a cow in red headphones on the way up Passo Pordoi!

View from half way up Passo Pordoi

 Time to take in the surroundings as this ascent lasted 9km. Thankfully, not so much traffic and it was ok to weave a bit whilst taking photos one handed with the i-phone. (all that practice on LEJOG2013). Lots of wild flowers too to help take your mind off the task in hand.

 Getting steeper up to Passo Sella

It was tough but enjoyable (spectacular scenery) despite the damp, cloudy and windy weather

Top temperature was 13C and on one mountain pass it went down to 7C with rain and strong winds.

Climb every mountain! Trying to breathe, smile and take a selfie one handed :)

We ended up wearing every single piece of clothing and wished we had brought more.

Come on! This is supposed to be summer in Italy!@@!!

Fortunately with training in Scotland we have the full wet weather gear but it is far too hot to wear  going up the mountains.

More from the cold mountains tomorrow. A Presto!