Switzerland - Italy - London - Amsterdam
July-August 2009

Strange days
Bellinzona, Lodrino (Switzerland) - Chiusaforte (Italy)

Lots of canyoning photos here, mostly from the AIC raduno in Chiusaforte. I didn't carry a wetsuit with me (it's a bit hard when also hauling tripods and camera gear, since I left for Italy straight after the eclipse tour), and because I had no money left to buy one, I took up vantage points instead of doing the canyons and went for action shots of everyone else...

Via Ferrata at Mt Zermula

Toward the end of the AIC rondy, Carlo wanted to get in at least one via ferrata while the others went off canyoning, and (not needing a wetsuit for this) the 'nothing too strenuous' as his checkbox sounded good to me. There turned out to be much more rock climbing involved here than in other via ferratas I have done, but the day was beautiful, relaxed, the scenery just breathtaking and the via ferrata itself was enough of a challenge to give us the feeling we had achieved something by getting to the top.

London

After Italy - still with no money and still not feeling well - it was time to visit Sean who was house-sitting for a friend in London. Sean made an excellent tour guide and I had a solid introduction to central London.

Amsterdam

This was a wonderful place in which to spend a few days before the flight home. Having accumlated quite a few friends and acquaintances from the Netherlands over the years, I thought it was about time I saw what the country was like. Alas time and funds did not permit much in the way of exploration, but I did make it to the beach.

©2009 C.A.L.