Switzerland
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Technical inspection and start of summer holidays…
This year began with VivaLaVida’s periodic technical inspection, which was once again refused. Almost every time I presented her, the experts found “something else”: this time, they asked for proof that some non-original equipment – there’s a lot on VLV – was already there when imported in 2016. Another point was the non-compliant rear lighting, even though I had modified it following the DTC guidelines when I imported it and haven’t touched anything since. VLV was also rejected for “insufficient parking brake efficiency,” a classic.
Offroad Accessoires in Geneva – where Andrew, with whom I had done part of the Baja California journey, works and who had carried out the first VLV inspection in Switzerland – kindly issued a certificate indicating that the relevant components were indeed present at the time of importation. On my side, I decided to enlarge the diameter of the parking brake disc to increase its efficiency. The parts were custom machined.
1. Technical drawing of the disc.
2. Caliper flange.
3. Mounted system.
4. …
VivaLaVida presented for a counter-expertise, it was still necessary to go through various administrative procedures before the technical service finally agreed to keep the rear lighting as it was. It was only at the end of June that I was finally able to re-register VLV. Just in time for holidays!
This spring, with Emile staying with me for 4 weeks this summer, I planned to go to Montenegro. But having lost my job at the end of May, unemployment insurance obligations require me to remain available within 48 hours. So I had to change plans and decided to go discover new places in the Italian and French Alps, at a distance that would allow me to return in 2 days if requested.
5. First bivouac in the downpour, above the Toules dam, on the climb to the Grand St-Bernard Pass.
6. The next day, we go to Val Cervinia, which I only know from skiing. The Matterhorn is in the clouds…
7. Boondocking on the southern slope, below Alpe Champleve.
The next morning, we set off to explore a trail leading to the Pian Fum pass and the Sualera mountain pasture, which I had spotted several months ago through my map research. A barrier had recently been installed, which now blocks access to the pass. But we find a lovely spot to camp below, on Alpe Folere.
8. We are not far from Turin, in the Alpine foothills.
9. Trail…
10. Pretty pond near our camp. Top right, the Pian Fum pass.
11. It’s aperitif time!
12. After the shower, first campfire of the holidays…
13. With a grill of course!
14. Time to go to bed…
15. The next day, we climb the Colle del Colombardo, which we had first discovered in 2017. But at altitude, the weather was not very favorable…
16. It is only when going down the other side that the fog dissipates a little.
With the weather forecast predicts rain in the South, we go spending two days in Valle Argentera, near Sestriere, where Emile wanted to return. We’ll tell you the rest very soon. 😉
Way home and laste gateaway of 2023
1. We find a place to sleep in a beautiful forest.
2. In the rain, this forest is beautiful.
3. Dinner.
4. On the way back, we stop at the Cascade des Tuffes.
5. Then we go discover the Herisson Waterfalls.
6. Upper waterfall.
7. Beautiful river.
8. A few weeks later, the first snows covered the Jura Mountains. It’s the opportunity for a hike..
9. Picnic.
10. Foirausaz mountain pasture.
11. End of day…
12. Dusk.
After this rather cold night, I protected VivaLaVida in its winter quarters where it spent 6 months in peace. I took it out a month ago to do a full service and prepare it for new discoveries this summer.
As you read these lines, Emile and I are somewhere with her discovering new lands. I will tell you all about it soon..
Have a great summer everyone and see you soon here ! 😀
Week-end in Haute Savoie
At the end of August, Emile and I are going to spend the weekend in the mountains.
1. Hike to the Col de Balme.
2. We discover a pretty altitude pond…
3. … that cottongrass highlight.
4. Highland…
5. From a ridge, we can see VLV far below…
6. On the ridge…
7. The goal of the hike.
8. Too bad the clouds hid the light…
9. Altitude marsh.
10. On the way back, the clouds set the mood…
11. Reaching VLV for the night.
12. Campfire to prepare diner.
13. A last ray sets the Bossons glacier ablaze in the distance.
14. Red needles of Chamonix in the clouds.
15. Nice viewpoint over the Chamonix valley when we wake up.
16. Picnic near Emosson.
17. Aiguille Verte and the Drus from Emosson.
Some images of other weekends coming soon… 😀
Valaisan getaway (continuation)
After the Sanetsch Pass, I wanted to show Isabelle the Aletsch Glacier, the largest of the Alps. So we went to the Upper Valais.
1. Boondocking down the Furggen pass.
But in this season, the Eggishorn cable car was already closed. We thus went to visit Brig City before going further…
2. Brig castle.
3. Walls…
4. Bridge…
5. In the old town.
6. Emile still loves VivaLaVida!
7. We then drove to the Anniviers Valley.
8. Over the Rhone Valley…
9. … and the Rechy Cove.
10. Quite sunset…
The end of ou long weekend still to come soon… 😉
Swiss registration and first trip in Europe…
It’s been almost a year that I left you with VivaLaVida on the port of Baltimore, bound for Antwerp.
Achieving registration will have been longer and more complicated than expected. It was first of all Swiss customs that caused problems. To register VLV, it was necessary to obtain an X-homologation in order not to have to comply with a homologation which obviously doesn’t exist for this vehicle. The only way to obtain it is to import the vehicle with a special status of “moving effects”. Having left my papers in Switzerland during my trip to the North American continent, I had to prove that I stayed abroad for more than a year without returning to Switzerland. Even if there is nowhere indicated that the proofs of this stay must be official, that is what the customs asked me. They refused all the items I displayed – blog, stamps of my passport, credit card statements, airline tickets, etc. – testifying of my continued absence from July 2013 to March 2015. I therefore requested my municipality of residence for a certificate but, since I haven’t announced my departure in 2013, it couldn’t enter the matter. The only alternative was to make an official request to the US Border Security and Custom Office. I finally got it after more than 3 months and VLV was allowed to cross the border, getting the 18.44 and 13.20 forms with X-homologation.
Second step, the technical inspection. With the help of Andrew and Offroad Accessoires in Carouge, the vehicle was presented to the inspection a first time in May, with a negative result. Several points were to be modified, including the rear underrun bar deemed non-compliant. A second presentation allowed to obtain the ok on all points ecepted an approval for only two persons, the rear seat belts not having European approval. Had to go the DTC in Vauffelin – the office that awards homologations in Switzerland – which, after cashing in 560.- SFr, declared the existing belts to be in conformity with the legislation but refused to grant the homologation on the ground that their manual adjustment was behind the shoulder and the passenger could not operate it alone! The inspector therefore required the installation of retractable belts that do not require manual adjustment. However, since the sofa folds to form a bed, it was necessary to find belts long enough since the upper attachment point is at the rear of the vehicle and with two detachable front points to release the bed during the night. Once again, thanks to Andrew, I obtained two corresponding belts. After submitting the holding part drawings to the DTC for validation, I made it done by some metal shop and took VLV back to Vauffelin, repaid the 560.- SFr to finally get the homologation. Back for the third time to the technical inspection to finally get the title changed from 2 to 4 places…
So it was only at the end of August that I was finally able to register VivaLaVida with Swiss numbers, more than 10 months after bringing her from Antwerp. I didn’t have much time left before two weeks of vacation planned in September and I still had some work to do to accomodate Emile, my 15 months old son, including good bindings for his car seat and a bunk from which he could not fall. Thanks to the help of Bernard who sewed the berth and some late nights, VLV was finally ready to leave in time to stretch the wheels with my sweet family. We planned to discover the Dolomites but unfavorable weather forecast made us change our plans for the Maritime and Italian Alps, discovering some high altitude old military routes.
The first of these was the Col du Parpaillon (Parpaillon Pass) whose summit tunnel culminates at over 8,500 feet above sea level. The road was originally built between 1692 and 1694 for artillery, then rebuilt at the end of the 19th century to ensure the supply of some fortress near the Italian border.
1. Near the tree altitude limit…
2. The trail rises on mountain pastures…
3. … already deserted by herds.
4. What a pleasure to find this uncrowded mountain again!
5. Near the pass, the panorama is gorgeous.
6. And here is the tunnel that passes under the proper pass, at 8.677 feet altitude.
7. VLV stops before crossing it, it is time of the Emile’s lunch. 😉
8. This tunnel, finished in 1894, is 577 yards long! He secured a rear road to supply the fortress of Tournoux, in Haute Ubaye.
9. on the other side, the view is also magnificent.
10. Narrow passage.
11. Even if it doesn’t look like, the descent is steep by location.
12. But nothing to “impress” VLV.
13. Light effects…
14. Close, the Italien Alps.
15. We camped in the descent, near a small chapel, and the night as been cool…
Continuation of the story of our trip in a few days…
D5 Creation