This will be fun.

[tml@mementomori.social]

This will be fun. The line between Cuneo and Breil-sur-Roya has not one, not two, not three, but four spiral tunnels. Will be the first time I travel on this #CrossBorderRail line. But first, from Torino Porta Nuova to Cuneo across the boring Po basin. #tågskryt

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#Cuneo has an impressive two-deck viaduct, with railway below and road on top. Had time to go and have a look at it while waiting for my next train. Did not have the courage to fly my drone, though. No good hidden spot to fly from. We are close to the snow-covered mountains and there is a distinct alpine freshness in the air.

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And now changing train in Limone, at 1010 m altitude. Edit: Yes, lemons do grow here, the guy working in the bar where I had a toast and a beer told me.

I wish there was a direct train all the way between Torino and Ventimiglia, or even Nice. Would have to be a hybrid train, though, or maybe one with batteries, as there is no electrification between here and Ventimiglia.

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@tml Fairly awkward that the #Trenitalia train to Ventimiglia plays its usual announcements in Italian and *English* even on the French side. Also, I doubt that what they say about laws has much relevance in France. Different country, different laws.

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Arrived spot on time in Breil-sur-Roya, and found my apartment without problem. Matches the description.

This is at a much lower altitude than Limone, and on the southern side of the mountains, so no snow here.

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Fell asleep and woke up 15 minutes ago, and was afraid I can’t find anywhere to eat here now in the evening. It is not really a place for nightlife. And the local Carrefour closed at 20. But I found a nice low-key pizzeria.

I don’t regret for a minute that I came to this small place. Such a nice change from the big and bustling cities in Italy where I stayed. And there should be lots of nice hiking opportunities here. Cloudy weather predicted but no rain.

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The apartment has an electric heater both in the main space and in the separate sleeping chamber. The latter is so small that it warms up nicely, but the main space stays very cold. But at least the floor is not stone but some kind of faux parquet.

[tml@mementomori.social]

Skimming Wikipedia, I learn that the railway between Cuneo and Ventimiglia originally when planned would have been within the kingdom of Sardinia, later ItaIy, but borders changed. If I understood German Wikipedia correctly, it was until recently the Italian region of Piedmont that paid for the maintenance of the line.

It is the second highest railway crossing of the Alps, after the Bernina line. (Which, as you should know, runs at over 2 km altitude, and not in a tunnel.)

[tml@mementomori.social]

But yeah, you have to sit by the window on the better side (which varies), and really know when to look out, to notice the spiral tunnels and see the track higher up or lower down where you travelled a moment ago. There are lots of other trunnels, too. Sadly my train was rather full and I didn't have a window seat.