Waiting for the snow to stop falling in Bormio

Old stuff and mountains in Bormio

Yep “major snowing” up the Stelvio this morning when I checked the weather, so enforced rest day today. Took the chance to try and plan ahead and catch up with the blog (really poor internet in Italy makes it hard and time consuming waiting for a connection most of the time), giving Rose the once over and having a look around Bormio – and rest of course.

Bormio is a nice old town. Most things I saw dated back to 1300 ish, so not that old I guess relative to other places but is compared to New Zealand. Probably because of the ski fields on its doorstep it is a bit more touristy in that a few cafés remained open after 1230 (no other shops did though keeping with tradition). Usual stuff though; cobbled town centre, old stone buildings without a square corner amongst them, multiple bell towers. Although, Bormio is the first town I haven’t heard chimes ringing every 30 minutes, no idea why?

Also oiled Rose’s chain, tweaked the gears a bit, and trued the rear wheel a little (well haven't made it worse anyway). She is otherwise in good shape, although there is a fair amount of wear on the rear tyre (as expected with the additional weight). Will probably switch the front and rear around in a week or two. Pleased with how the tyres are holding out so far though, a few knicks here and there but thankfully no punctures yet (hope I haven’t jinxed it now).

Internet has been a wee bit frustrating, the only thing that has been frustrating really - first world problem I know. Been over a week now since I have had reliable internet. Bormio is no different unfortunately. Makes it hard to keep up with the blog but more importantly it has made it harder to plan my routes as I do it through ridewithGPS.com as it gives me the elevation and where cycle lanes are etc. When I do get an OK connection I do try and plan out a few days in advance just in case. Just all makes things harder than planned and more time consuming is all.

Anyway, it is what it is. Will deal with it and if all else fails go back old school and carry maps with me - and if that is all I have to complain about I am doing fairly well I'd say! 

Tomorrow will be a chilly Stelvio then up to Lago di Resia (or Reschensee) to see a church bell tower sticking out of a lake. Fingers crossed I have enough clothes for the expected 1 degree at midday.

Highlight:  Seeing more snow fall on the mountains around Bormio all day.
Lowlight: Having to zip on the bottoms of my zip of trousers...how touristy does that look. 
Lesson Learned: In every shower I have been in since Germany there has been a pull cord switch, normally next to the extractor fan. I used to pull it to try and start the fan but it would never work. I also once thought it was to start the hot water once when it took ages to get warm water through. I now know it is an alarm you activate by pulling the cord if you get in trouble in the shower. I have also learned that if you pull it, nothing will actually happen as not once have I had a knock on the door to see if I was OK.