Lugano Day 2 - 17 April 2024

17.04 - Day 2 at Lugano

We slept ok, despite the frequent freight trains rumbling past quite nearby. 

We were up and ready to leave, but Tintin wanted to spend some time looking at our fridge - which he doesn’t think is cold enough. We were both procrastinating a little about where to go. Really it would make sense to choose a free Park4night somewhere, as we’ll be ‘serviced’. Tintin found a place on the way to Locarno to go up a funicular, but we’d have to park 30 minutes walk away - we just weren’t enthused. Suggested staying here another night, as it’s only another CHF 15. Quick bit of research, and off we went back down the 268 steps into Lugano. Tintin counted them on the way up!

We walked along the front, went off to look for some focaccia to take with us for lunch. Think we felt violated! CHF 13 for one ham and cheese roll and a slice of tomato focaccia! 

There are some pretty quirky shops and I did quite like the glass pieces. Yesterday we noticed that lots of places smelt very fragrant - they have absolutely huge reed diffusers in front of shops. 

Walked through the park again, and towards the funicular station in Cassarate to go up to Monte Brè. With our half price fare card we paid CHF 17 one way. 

There are two funiculars - the first is unmanned - and you don’t pay until the second one. 

Once there, we walked up to the top to see the church - obviously nothing wonderful, as I didn’t even take a photo. 

If I’m honest, the first views weren’t that spectacular because there are so many trees in the way!

We did laugh - met a couple on the funicular - they’re from Los Angeles - she’s like a skinny undertaker all in black, with high heels - give her her due, she did manage to walk down some of the hike with one walking pole - her husband is ‘a surgeon’. She asked where we’re from, we said Guernsey - she said her sister lives in Hampstead - as if we should know her!

Anyway, from the top - opposite stands San Salvatore, Monte San Giorgio looms above the lake and dam of Melide and the Valais Alps can be seen to the west.

After our exceptional lunch (!) and having taken lots of photos, we decided we’d walk down. A bit confusing as to even where we start to descend, there were bike paths, and you could go in quite a few directions. 

Probably took a couple of hours in the end, first stop at Brè. The paths weren’t that kind to knees, and once again, had to concentrate on where you were going. Health and safety is a non starter 😉

Today and previous days, when walking you hear a constant rustle in the undergrowth. So many little lizards scurrying around - and too quick to photograph! Only saw one bigger lime green one. 

The views were better once we were off the top. Think we had a good day for it, was warm - but not baking hot - seems the wind comes up in the afternoons. 

We got down as far as the stop of the first funicular and Tintin consulted Google maps - didn’t appear to be any roads for us to walk down - so took the funicular again as that part of the journey was free anyway. 

Popped into a Migros on the way back to pick up some more blueberries, grapes and cheese - all the essentials don’t you know!

Jo - there you go - Toblerone over here is not cheap - CHF 8.75 for 360g. People could set up a business by buying at airports and selling back to the Swiss!

So this sad ‘person’ was promoting the lido! I don’t think so!

After the park, we treated our selves to homemade gelato - CHF 3.80 each - but yummy 😋 

Thought it was lovely to see a ‘real’ Fiat 500 - how the size has increased now. 

All in all - another good day out. We keep upping the ante - over 19,000 steps today 😊

Once back in Dave - had a good catch up with Jamie, Bel and Jack. 

Viv sent a link about weather in the Valais cancelling a run, as weather above 3,000m is due to drop to -25. I do feel as if we’re in a micro-climate here and we’re in for a shock when we head north again. 

Do feel a little guilty, so many mohos have come and gone, as there’s no space left to park up. Where you could park yesterday has now been barricaded off. However, we are allowed to park here for 48 hours…