As expected, it will be very cold at night. I have taken precautions and have my golden rescue blanket ready. It’s a few steps warmer in there. Only the crackling is annoying.

I’m up early the next morning. I still have an apple for breakfast. But I’m looking forward to a coffee. I want to see if I can get one in the next village called Blenio.

In fact, I find a small cafe in Blenio where I can get a coffee and a croissant. A little tourist Italian gets me far enough.

People here also speak a few words of German.

It’s remarkable. It’s not just the language that has changed behind the mountain pass.

The buildings suddenly look completely different and directly resemble the Mediterranean architecture of Italy.

Somewhere I leave the main street because I like a different street so much. This leads to the edge of the forest and a few old-looking buildings, such as a villa with a bell tower and a church made of natural stone.

I made a lucky move. From the road I can see into the valley and drive past other old walls in the sun.

Colorful vineyards stretch below me. On the other hand, the branches of the chestnut trees stretch above me. The chestnuts are now probably exported in all directions.

I see signs in the villages. Chestnut festivals (“Castagnatas“) will soon take place here. Every community seems to have its own festival.

It’s still early in the morning, but I’ve already covered a decent distance. It is already warm and smells wonderfully of the fallen leaves of the forest.

It smells like autumn. Warm, Mediterranean autumn.

I enjoy the route to the fullest.

I’m excited to see what else this route has to offer. Even today I still have no plan where I will stay overnight. Let’s see how far I get.