Bill & Shirl's Incredible Adventure

Hi Chloe, ( from the Curry Point!!!)

Well, we actually made the boat trip to Rimini.   It was a good job we arrived early for departure as people were piling on.   We managed to get a seat outside  so we had a good view of the coast line as we cruised to Zadina for the first pick up.   I was a bit concerned as there didn’t seem to be a spare seat available on departure from Cervia but we still took on another 30 people, I just tried not to think about it.   Dad said he would grab a plastic chair and swim to the beach if necessary!

 Half way on the outward journey we met up with a fishing trawler and took on board crates of sardines for the meal for our return, and after that we were followed by a ‘cloud’ of seagulls.   I went up on the top deck to take some photos and it seemed almost like watching a virtual 3D picture as the seagulls were just floating on thermals and keeping up with the speed of the boat.

 Rimini wasn’t that exciting, and as we only had 90 mins to kill we decided just to stroll for a cappuccino and buy an English paper!  (the first in two weeks). We were greeted like long friends by the skipper when we re-joined the boat, we don’t quite know why, but nevertheless were offered free beers whilst we waited for departure time.   We had seated ourselves once again outside, but this time in the shade, and then we heard it ………..AN ENGLISH VOICE, joy of joys!   We met a lovely lady from London named Iris  and we chatted all the way back to Cervia.   It was great to have a good natter, what satisfaction!  We were also fed with mountains of sardines, wine and water in fact there was so much, Dad had to refuse his 4^th helping!

In the evening we returned to Cervia to enjoy the evening show preceding the start of the Rotta del Sale (Salt Route).  This celebrates the departure of historical boats which then follow the ancient trading Salt Route, linking Cervia to Venice.  The idea was for me to get up in time for their 5am tide departure, but unfortunately I slept through……

 With each morning it is getting more difficult for me to get out of bed.   At the beginning of this adventure I would up with the lark either a walk or bike ride, then some exercises, but this seems to have completely gone by the by and it takes me all my effort just to stroll to the shop on site for milk.   I had this great vision of being ultra fit but it’s not to be! 

We found another evening market at Cervia harbour last week, so we cycled there once again and took a stroll but this time as it is the beginning of budget week we treated ourselves to a meal at one of the many restaurants!    Obviously I enjoyed the meal but I also enjoy the busy atmosphere and watching the Italians and how they read a menu then order a meal completely ‘off’ what’s on offer!  In England I think we would be told where to go if we tried that one but here it is perfectly acceptable. On Friday we found a Pesce Festa which was nice cheap food served by the local Lib Dems!!!  We didn’t realise til we had sat down & their local MP turned up pressing flesh. We are Italian Cleggites now! 

Dad here….Its got pretty bad now Clo, I just had to have a HOT SHOWER!!! It was only 26 C on the way home from the beach & a bloomin’ cloud kept going in front of the sun for 5 minutes. Also the wind is blowing leaves into the patio area & mum is like a whirling dervish clearing them all up. What’s more the dust overloaded our air cleaning machine. Must remember to clean out the filter more often….

 Sunday evening & I’ve had to put a shirt on – only 25 degs!  Just waiting for N Korea to nuke us. That’ll warm us up. And in the middle of the night there was a mega thunder storm right over the camp. So there was a quick rush round to get stuff under cover & we had about an inch of rain in an hour. It’s helped with the dust though. Sunny again this morning & should be cool when we shall be visiting the Salt Flats this afternoon. Ravenna will have to wait til domani! Mum dragged me on another bloody trip. This time to the Salt Mines of Cervia.  Commentary in Italian & the opportunity to tread in thick black salty mud which smelt like the toilets at a football match. We declined.

Trained it to Ravenna  today (Tuesday) & experienced the 1960’s treno!  Full up with school kids going to the fair. Ravenna was OK I suppose. Standard Italian town with churches & old buildings. Some good mosaics  but nothing we haven’t seen in Cyprus. Suppose we’re getting blasé. There was actually a ticket inspector on the return journey which made me happier about actually paying for a ticket. I don’t think many Italians do & there was a loud argument with the conductor who came across a defaulter!

 Back at Cervia we had to wait until the 2 trains departed the station before we could escape as there is no bridge. This didn’t stop an Indian lad running in front of 2 trains to make his connection. Which reminds me. The Italians generally ignore level crossings & just wheel their bike under the barrier & take a chance. See photo.

Biking has got dodgier. I think I prefer the UK system. Here at night it is dangerous! About 90% of the Italians have lights on their bikes but only 5% actually switch them on! This DOES cause problems. They loom out of the shadows at high speed – not looking as usual – and Mum has nearly come a cropper several times. So I have to ride shotgun, shooing them out of the way.

 Anyway we cheered ourselves up with some lovely fresh Cozze A La Marinara.

 We are off to Pisa on Friday after 6 weeks here in lovely Cervia / Milan Marittima. We’ve really enjoyed it. We’ll tidy up & pack on Thursday & get off about 1000 on Friday. Should get to Bologna for a stopover by 1200 & into Pisa on Sat for 2 weeks. Don’t know about Wi-Fi but the blurb says they have got some. I’ll let you know asap.

 All for now

 Love

 M & D

Xxx

 PS:  Resistance was futile………………………..

Day 141 – Cervia Di Pinarella – 21 Jul 10

 Hi Clo

 Been a week since we posted, but really we have settled into a full-timing regime and it’s all very ordinary.  I even had time to fix the tow bar electric connection which was rusted to buggery. Hopefully it will all work when we reconnect when we go to Bologna next week. Also, take a look at this really clever urinal in the gents – don’t snigger. It’s really good as you can wash your hands with the same water that flushes it. Should get the patent for England & sell it there!!  Its really green.

All quiet on the campsite. It’s about full now with 75% permanent caravans with habitation tents affixed. They have all mod cons including tent for fridge & cooker, plus Sat TV & sofas etc etc. We realise now why they all have separate fridges. The van fridge is just not up to these temperatures. The fridge has been on now for a month in 30 degs ++ and it’s damned lucky we are in a shady part of the campsite or it would have given up the ghost by now. As it is, the milk turns to yoghourt in 3 days or less. We might need to replace it with a more robust model in March. Its 9 years old now!

We have named all of our fellow Italian campers. We barely get a Buon Giorno out of them but what else can we do. Their English is non-existent. Mr Sitting  is the bloke across the road who just sits by his wag all day – reading or sleeping but mainly just sitting. His wife appears at intervals to feed him & once in a while he goes off on his moped to get a paper. Mr Cocobello is the old bloke 2 wags down. They have their grandchild most of the time & parents visit on alternate weekends. Mrs Cocobello is the rather loud lady aged about 75 who wears miniskirts & high heels!! Then there is Mrs All Alone. She arrived with husband and child 2 weeks ago, set up extensive camp & he left – never to be seen again! Looks like her brother visited today. Opposite is a real mystery they arrived 2 weeks ago and in the middle of the night there was a ruckus and the people drove off.  We saw nothing of anyone for 10 days – just a deserted van & then yesterday mum dropped off 2 teenage girls who are now there alone. We now have Odd New neighbours today. A few days ago a bloke delivered a caravan then yesterday morning at 0730 – clang bash wallop came the people renting it. Yes, they are a noisy family with an overloaded car full of equipment. Then at 0630 this morning – crash bang wallop again – they were putting up rain covers cos it got a bit cloudy & a breeze blew thru. Hopefully, they will quieten down. We saw all the regulars having a discussion in muted tones – so they might get an Italian talking to!  Then there’s Robin Williams secret Italian family opposite. He’s the exact double & has loads of relatives popping in & out.

We cycled to Milano Marittima last night for an ice cream & to look at the nightlife. We found it. It was really buzzing with clubs & bars & girls dancing on tables scantily dressed! We didn’t stay as a round of drinks is about €20! We are off to Cesanatico  tonight to see what Sunday evening is like there. So that another 10 mile bike ride! We are doing loads of cycling and averaging about 3 miles a day. Mum has become a real Italian cyclist – whizzing up one way streets and going the wrong way round roundabouts & cycling on pavements at the drop of a hat.

I managed to break one of the foldy garden chairs so we need to get some strong elastic to fix it. Luckily we have another. Also, my gluten allergy has re-appeared – white bread I think – so we had to buy the appropriate drugs in the Farmacia. Funny that you can only get them on prescription in the UK! Why?? Got some more Hopi Ear stuff for Mum after her ear was blocked and we have been slowly de-waxing her!

Mum here – dad repaired the chair OK and has enough thick elastic for further repairs.   We are now in our penultimate week and thought it was about time to take a boat trip (no Clo, not a glass bottom boat trip!) along the coast to Rimini.   Yesterday (Monday) we got ready for the 2.00 pm departure cycled the 4miles along the beach front to Cervia harbour  and just made comment that the sea looked a little choppy.   Unfortunately we should have taken more notice as the trip was cancelled because of the swell!   Believe me the sea looked like a mill pond compared to the Red Sea and we were totally surprised of the decisions.   Still not to be deterred we re-arranged today and went to the beach in the morning came back to the wag and made lunch and then finally checked departure time only to find that it didn’t run on Tuesdays!  So, third time lucky for tomorrow.  Any disappointment for Dad was quickly dispelled as our neighbours bought around some very tasty grilled sardines which they were cooking for their lunch.   Dad was in his element!

The weather has cooled nicely; although I say that but here I am sitting at the computer with the fan going!  Neighbours seem to be taking this siesta time more seriously of late both Mr Sitting and Robin Williams have finally graduated to total collapse and snoozing on beds! We’ve been playing a lot of Scrabble & I got a new record of 402 points – see photo.  Then this afternoon the parents of Dutch Dancer Heleen turned up as they are staying overnight. Nice surprise. Had a nice chat. They are off to Greece today for 3 weeks & have to drive to Ancona to catch the ferry which they say is fully booked! Good luck.

We’ll post this at the Curry Point on the way home from the boat trip to Rimini – 3^rd time lucky!!

Speak on Saturday if the Skype works

Love

M & D

xxx

Hi Clo

Nice to speak to you on the Skype on Saturday last . It’s weird how the picture & comms have improved since we’ve been on this side of the country – almost perfect. Anyway, Mum & I really enjoy our little chats. I’ll send you that stuff we talked about.

 Rob has arrived & our lovely Dutch Dancing Duo  have gone. They e-mailed to say that they arrived safely back in Cloggie-land and that Holland was really getting excited about the World Cup Final. We’ll be cheering them on, on Sunday.

 It was great for Spain to beat Germany. The bar was packed with Germans and at the final whistle I took great pleasure in reminding them that they cheated us out of a goal. Revenge is sweet – even if it’s vicarious.

Rob is sleeping outside the wag on the blow-up bed  & behind the screens. The new side piece he brought out is really good and keeps the mossies away. It also works well as a privacy screen. However, you may wish to have the proper PVC room erected for your stay in L’Escala in September which we are really looking forward to.

Rob brought out loads of little items we needed like OXO & Piriton for mums bites & magazines & papers & mossie spray & mail…. Really useful. He only brought one shirt and 2 T-shirts and in temps of 100F he hasn’t needed any more. We’ve spent most days on the beach & cycled to different towns & markets.  He likes the slow way of life & prefers the Italian approach to cycling  – organised anarchy. We got bollocked the first night by a sleepy Italian we were keeping up by chatting till 1230 am so we’ve been pretty restrained since. We’ve been tired most nights and sleeping well with all this sun.  Mum and Rob drove to San Marino  on Wednesday – infact Mum drove – so she is now fully checked out on the Smartie. She’s talking about heading off to the big shopping centre next week.

They are on the beach doing some emergency tanning before he leaves tonite (SAT) at 1830. I’m catching up with admin again. It never ends.

Rob got home OK and the status quo is resumed. Latest news is that our internet café is closed because the owner, Mario, had a bad car crash & is out of action for several months. Poor chap. So we have found another place. Even better we think. The Curry Point in Cervia serves as an Internet Point. It’s cheaper, faster, we can Skype, and has a printer and the Indian bloke is really friendly.  However, we tried to Skype from there with no luck. What a dick-dance. First computer – no sound. 2^nd no connection – 3^rd  wouldn’t take password – back to first – no sound. All this in a backroom full of sacks of rice from Bangla Desh & in temps of 100 degs plus! So much for computer technology! Mum ended up chatting via message on Skype & then phoning. We need to find a new place.

We’ve also, got a new double bicycle rack, so the bikes don’t lean up against the trees anymore. Mum drove to the superstore on her own today – she is now officially checked out on Smartie. Next test is going somewhere on her own that she doesn’t know.  Ah, but I will have Doc Brown to help me out.

Saw the World Cup final. Holland was terrible they just didn’t play, Spain deserved to win. They will now be unbearable – especially this winter.

42 Degrees C today – Tuesday (13^th) on the beach at Pinarella – I think that is 107 F!!!  Our wag was 30C at midnight. Weird as well – haven’t seen a mossie in 4 days now and really no bugs to speak of.  Which is great for us but I understand from friends back home there is a plague of thunder flies at present! Our ultra-violet light machine hardly catches anything. Hope it continues.

Except I got attacked in the revenge of the earwigs. The brother of the one that got me in Canterbury stowed away & attacked me last night – but I got it as well.  

All for now

Love

M & D

xxx   see UPUPA!…

Day 127 – 7 Jul 10

Cervia 3

 Hi Clo

 We are still beaching it. swimming in the sea every day with mum darting about avoiding the crabs. Always something to do around the van though. Getting to know a bit more about living full time. Each day gets filled with something new, but I wonder how long that will last. We still have over 4 weeks to do here & maybe we’ll be ready to move on by then. Maybe we’ll get bored with the beach life. Maybe not. We’ll see.

Mossies are back. I‘ve been bitten 5 times today. Seems to be no pattern. I went a week without a bite. Never mind, it’s a small price to pay. It could be a lot worse. It could be the heat. However, we are spending a small fortune on anti-Zanzare potions & sprays & candles.

We were woken up again this morning at 0800 by the dulcet tones of ‘mama’ in the caravan the other side of our Dutch Dancing Duo.4520 Why is it that when beautiful Italian women reach 50 they get overweight and their voices turn into a deep treble bass & they insist on shouting everything? Even the simplest conversation. It’s the same on the beach. You can hear them 100 meters away & of course they never take a breath – which of course is no different wherever you go. (Ha – ha)

 10 Things Wot I have Learned Whilst on the Road

1. Mosquitoes do exist in Europe. We are really lucky not to have them in England. What would you prefer – crap weather & no mossies or vice versa? Also, why have mossies stopped buzzing? They are now invisible & silent. That’s evolution for you!

 2.Buy a low wattage desk fan. It’s brilliant & indispensable. Keeps the sleeping area cool in these really high temperatures.

 3. Get an external portable electric cool box. With our pathetic fridge we would never have a cold drink without it. Keeps fruit fresh too. In hindsight I’d get a van with a fridge freezer next time. In fact, I think we should have brought ‘Hilda’ from home. She would have been just what we needed. All the Eyties have an extra fridge for this weather – 40C plus.

 4.The microwave is useful, but it WILL trip the power if you use it on full – even at 10 or 13 amps. Medium power for short bursts only.

 5.Washing up should be done at the facilities, especially in the summer. You are using their hot water and not clogging up your drains and using your water/gas.

 6.Internet in Europe – just use internet cafes or Wi-Fi on sites. It’s not worth buying a contract with a European phone company. Just log on when you can. Pre-type e-mails etc and cut & paste when in the café. Simple!

 7.Don’t listen to all the scaremongering on the internet. It’s not that difficult out here. If you just get the right insurance & do a bit of planning there is nothing to fear. The police don’t give a damn about you. There are just too many other wags on the road. And as for worrying about niff-naff like speed signs & bike rack reflectors – forget it. And – nobody is going to gas you or kidnap you on the motorway – get a life!!!

 8.You spend more money than you think you will. About 25% more I’d say. It’s really difficult for full timers not to think that you are on holiday. Initially, there are a lot of incidental start-up – one-off – costs. Once these are gone, it should settle down. Problem is, there is always something new to do or buy – today it’s a mini bike rack & ultra-violet anti bug lamp . 

9. Dont trust the Sat nav completely. Do your map prep & read the road signs.

 10.The Smart Car is a double edged sword. To tow or not to tow? It’s really useful for shopping and sightseeing, but is really restricting re driving. You cannot reverse. You cannot afford to get stuck up a dead end. You cannot just park anywhere – you are 35 feet and you have to plan for that. Just getting fuel is an issue – you have to pick your garages. A small rural garage is just not big enough. Manoeuvering is ALWAYS an issue. We might leave it behind next year.

Well, the friendly Italian from 2 tents down, who wanders past every night in his multi-coloured shreddies on the way to the shower stopped for a chat. He shouts Coco – coco-bello!!! Like the bloke on the beach selling coconuts. Anyway, I digress. He stops and rabbits on in Italian about tomorrow night – which is ‘Notte Rosa’ – the Italian festival.  He says it’s going to be riotous. Loud music, drinking, fireworks, discos & that we better stay out late. All this in fluent Italian, which I’m trying to translate for mum. He doesn’t seem to understand we can’t understand a word!! He thinks we are German, anyway – as do all the locals. No Brits ever come here!  Anyway, the main message is that today was 36 deg C , tomorrow will be 38deg C & Sunday (4 Jul) will be 40 deg C — that’s 105 deg F. Phew. Even mum wont be cold in that.

Anyway, Rob has arrived on Saturday night at Rimini. Notte Rosa was a bit of a non-event & Mum missed the fireworks – feeble that they were. I drove down to meet him with no incidents in Smartie – although I did luckily avoid 2 speed traps!. He is ready for a holiday & we will introduce him to the delights of the beach & cycling. Full report next week.

Still very hot here but surviving.

Speak soon

Love

 M & D

xxx

30 Jun 10 – Day 120

Cervia 2

Hi Clo

 I know it’s a while since Italy were knocked out of the World Cup, but an eerie silence has crept over the land. It means huge financial losses for all the shirt sellers, bars, shops & other businesses who were relying on Italy getting to at least the semi-final. It’s a real shame. The atmosphere here has also dissipated as the Italians have lost complete interest in Il Mondiale!

Anyway, England are probably out by now, beaten by old enemies Germany or Argentina. Never mind, it was expected. But at least France got their just desserts after cheating Ireland out of their rightful place. What goes around comes around.

 We are still beaching it every afternoon, getting there around noon & staying about 4 hours at our bagno. A nice spot just yards from the sea. We take our lunch & chill out taking in the rays. We generally walk up or down the beach to see what’s going on for an hour. We reckon it will get really busy next month. It’s fairly quiet & at about 1pm all the Italians disappear for lunch & we are the only ones left on the beach. Then at 3.30 they all re-appear. Sunday are manic. There are literally thousands of Italians promenading up & down. All shapes & sizes and all in bikinis!!!

We have used the bikes a lot, cycling everywhere – especially to the beach. The area is flat so there is no effort involved. The cycling rules appear somewhat flexible. In saying that I mean that there appear to be NO rules. Everyone on a cycle goes just wherever they want -wrong way up one way streets, on the wrong side of the road, on the pavement. No – one looks where they are going & the cars just let them get on with it and accept the situation. No horns blaring like there would be in England. I don’t really know which is best – complete Italian bicycling anarchy or our set of cycling proficiency rules. At least here one expects the unexpected and just gets on with it. At home people are far less tolerant. Anyway, we just go with the flow & cycle like Italians – when in Rome etc…… 

We have been to a couple of street markets which are full of the usual tat but millions of shoes. We also pick up stuff cheap that we will always need like toiletries, kitchen roll & things for the BBQ.  We cycled to Cesanatico today thru 5 kms of woodland adjoining the beach. Saw all the places we stayed at in 1988 and the town has really expanded & now is really quite touristy, nevertheless it was well worth a visit. We’ll probably cycle there with Rob next week.

We have decided that we are the only Brits on the East Coast of Italy. We haven’t seen so much as a GB plate on a car let alone a van. Not an English voice to be heard or newspaper to be bought. They are missing great weather & beaches – but I suppose there are no pubs or fish & chip shops or Sunday roasts to be had – so that makes it a  no-go area for haters of that ‘ foreign muck they call food’. All the more for us!

The camp has filled up today with weekenders & motorhomes are stacked 3 deep on the campsite. They are all squeezed into very small pitches so we feel a bit guilty with our double sizer! The Italians are really into motorhomin’ – there are hundreds of wags parked all over the place. On roads, side-roads, grass verges, parking areas, woods, by the beach – just about anywhere you can squeeze one in – WITHOUT PAYING. We think that most of these are overnighters cos you can’t go long without fresh water & emptying the khazi! Most of the vans are really old & well used with no real attention to the outside like Brits, a bit like their houses really. There seem to be 2 types of Italian motorhomers. One group like our own – 50+ couples travelling and living the life. Then there are the other group which is not prevalent in the UK – 30 somethings with young children just coming out for the weekend. Usually, grannie & granddad are with them to be near to the children. Lots of dogs with these families as well. This group are the ones who will just head for the coast and park it anywhere & nip down to the beach for the day – where, by the way, dogs are NOT allowed.

Yes, England lost & we were cheated again. Enough said – they were crap anyway.

Its Sunday, and another day on the beach & cycling around. Shirl has been getting bitten quite a lot recently & has become really allergic. The bites take about 24 hours to come up – but when they do – wow! Her eye is currently all swollen up & we have bought some anti-hystimenos – we think – from the Farmacia. Hopefully, it will go down soon. (now all better, not infection, just allergic reaction).

Just been reviewing the Spanish plan & have realised that I had left myself some really long transits – 500km per day – to do. So that will have to be re-planned soon before we book our final sites.

 I am the eye monster!   It’s now Monday morning and my left eye has swollen so that I can barely see out of it!   I just can’t understand why I am having this reaction to mozzie bites and dad isn’t.   The ‘the worm has turned’.   I think we might be seeking out a local doctor to see if I can get more instant relief, but then again I am sure things will settle given time, but it would be nice to be prepared for this sort of thing in the future.

 We cycled to the local tourist doctor – 20 Italians waiting, so we gave up on that & cycled to the Ospedale in Cervia. The place was deserted and reminded me of something out of Phantom of the Opera!! Directed to ‘tourist doctor’ again to find locked door & Italian couple waiting outside. Nurse eventually appears from another door & allocates order to see doctor. Italian couple go in – doctor rushes out, points at 3^rd couple in queue & tells them to go away. We stay put. Doctore returns & tries to send us away. I say ‘inglese’ he says OK & 5 mins later we are in. He looks at eye & says ‘not good’. Mum looks worried. He says ‘ infectione’. I whisper to mum ‘just nod your head’. He dishes out prescription after telling us what a bad day he has had. We get prescription filled at Farmacia for €9 – E111 works apparently & mum starts anti-biotics. However, at 6pm when I am drinking vino bianco she decides that antibiotics are not necessary as lump going down – so she can have a drink!! 

 Had to completely re-vamp plan today and now going via Madrid on way home in March. I had not really planned the distances to drive correctly. All sorted now. New itinerary sent.

Went shopping again yesterday, DAY 100 sleeping in the wag! Rob arrives at 2130 on Saturday at Rimini, so it will be nice to have him stay for a week. I now know its really getting warm, cos your mother, after leaving the beach, whilst cycling home thru the pine trees says: ‘ ooh, it’s a bit chilly’.  Temperature was 29 deg C!!

 Speak soon

 love

 M & D

xxx

22 Jun 10  (Day 112)

 Pinerella Di Cervia

 Hi Clo

 Here I sit in the wag on Sunday morning (Father’s Day) with the rain teeming down outside. I’ve sent mum off to the shop to get some raviolis & bread for lunchio. It’s OK – she’s got an umbrella & it’s only a few hundred yards! And at least the rain has got rid of the bloody people with the 4 bloody barking dogs!

Anyway, got here just about safely enough. By now the photo of the low bridge should be posted. Mum really thought we wouldn’t make it out of the Fano site. But we did. I re-measured the height of the van & got 3.15m which is what has saved us from a graunching. We got to Cervia in good time – but I might have programmed Doc Brown slightly wrong & we ended up doing 6 circuits of Cervia asking for directions to the campsite. That was OK as we only just scraped under yet another bloody low bridge when we crossed the coastal railway again. 15cms to spare this time – but no indication of bridge height given. Mum was having kittens!!

 We were given a good welcome at Camping Adriatico & shown to our reserved pitch (some Germans had to move out) in the top corner next to a vineyard. So we are not in the middle of hundreds of people but have some privacy & lots of shade. Not good today in the rain – but when the temperature gets up to 35 degs every day, we’ll be grateful for all the shade we can get – especially at night. We’ve set up the area nicely & it should be a good stay. We cycled 10 miles yesterday to Milano Marittima and back along the coastal cycle path. Paid the world record for a medio beer & an Aperol - €16.50…….. but we got some nuts & crisps as well.

 (Mums back with bread & vino declaring the day very rainy and it’ll be a liquid lunch in the wag as it’s too cold to sit out!)

 Anyway, had a nice meal last night at a local trattoria and I think we’ll go back for Mum’s birthday as she had her eyes on a Fritto Misto di Pesce!!   Oh, well – breaking for lunch…………

1600…..Still raining – reminds me of Cervia 88 when the Tornado flooded & we had to leave it in Ghedi after it ‘fused’ in flight! Invited the Dutch Ballroom Dancing Tenters in from the cold last night. Nice couple who have been coming here for 6 years. Drove 1400kms from N Holland in ONE NIGHT!!!!

Monday morning…. Still raining……going for walk to find restaurant to spend day in to eat ourselves to cheerfulness as part of your fathers day lunch….Weather now officially downgraded from ‘rainy’ to ‘dogshit’! Anyone with a tent here is wet, wet, wet! We are going to the beach to try & negotiate a good price with one of the bagnos for sunbeds & shade for the next 6 weeks. Might be pricey. Either that or it’s the free beach…what do you say Rob?

 I think they’ve started a suicide watch on the campsite for distraught Italians – what with the NZ footie result and all.

 Just been for a walk. Found the internet & then decided on a beach bagno. Did a deal with No 164 – Renato’s – its usually €17 per day but we knocked him down to €7 including a free week for Rob. It’s a big outlay but at £6 per day for 6 weeks if we are on the beach we are probably not out spending on lunches and touristing – so it’s a bit of a loss leader. Out to a night market later & then tomorrow – the BEACH……

Love

M & D

xxx

Fano

 Hi Clo

 Finally made it to the seaside. We left the car park! in Montefalco and Dad couldn’t bear the thought of another 2 days just hanging around on somebody’s farm, so we scratched the trip into the hills & headed off to Fano. Where you ask?  A small town about 50 kms south of Rimini. We only picked it cos it was about halfway & we didn’t think it would be too busy. Anyway, we set off from the Sosta and drove off down the hill to Foligno where we expected to pick up the small motorway to Fano. Well, Doc Brown & the Garmin had an off day. All went well till we saw the signs to Ancona – correct road – and we turned a corner, went down a slope & saw a low bridge sign!!!!! Arrrggghhhh!!!.  We are 3.25 m and the low motorway bridge was 3.20m!!!!!!!!!!!   What to do?  I just slowed down to walking pace, got in the middle of the road & crossed my fingers.  We edged towards the bridge expecting to hear a graunching from the top box but joy of joys – silence. I had obviously rounded up the height of the wag & box so we must be under 3.20m. Or the bridge people mismeasured. Or probably both.

 Anyway, this distracted us so much that in 10 metres the sign to Ancona came up yet Doc Brown was screaming straight on. I followed Doc Brown. Big mistake – another 3.20m bridge!. We got under that and set off out of Foligno towards Fano. This was not the motorway I was expecting & the road got narrower and although was signposting Fano – it showed 154kms & I knew it was about 100kms. What to do? Carried on over a roundabout & should have turned back to Foligno. Road getting narrower + steeper. We decided that we should go back to Foligno but where to turn round. The signposts were showing the motorway ahead but maps didn’t agree. We found a garage & turned around & headed back. Got to the edge of town & found a sign to the SS3 & followed it – under another dodgy bridge & Doc Brown tries to turn us into a builders yard which was right under the motorway we wanted to be on. We ignore that but end up in a suburban street – lost. So we decide to follow nav principle No 1 & go back to a known position.  Back to the edge of Foligno and guess what?  Yes, the 2 low bridges again!!!!  A bit more confident this time & I sail under them both – can’t have been much more that an inch or 2 in it.

 Now looking for signs to Ancona as Fano signs have dried up. We get to fork in road. Do we stay on ring road or turn down very slopey hill?  Stop.  We are now right in middle of 2 lanes with cars piling up behind. No beeping though – must be a usual occurrence – Brit lost again. We sight Eytie walking along street & roll down window shouting ‘Per Ancona’ – he waves hand generally in one direction & we race off. We follow ring road & in 2 minutes are on the SS3 to Fano. Hurrah!!  (as you can imagine this whole episode was very fraught, and I am still having treatment for my nervous twitch, but don’t let it worry you Clo. – mum)

Not so. This is the worst road we’ve been on. No traffic but no surface to speak of. Appalling! And my rear-view camera failed at this point so I couldn’t tell if Smartie had bounced off into the bundu. The upshot was that the Garmin was unaware of a recently built major road from Foligno to Fano & tried to take us thru the sticks instead. Could have been mch worse – I tell you!

 Anyway, we carry on and travelled along some great scenery & hairpin bends – but no traffic at all – just us. Eventually we hit the Autostrada about 30kms outside Fano – and at the turn off – even worse roads! We had to go at 10mph for about a mile before the potholes stopped. Then Doc Brown tries it on again. By now I am Mister Cautious & use my eyes & that saves us driving into a road-works dead-end. We get to the campsite – which is on the beach & guess what another low bridge.   I cautiously drive under and mum gets out just to check the overhead clearance which is about 5 ins, does this never end!  Luckily though we managed to get one of the last 2 pitches left, so alls well that ends well.

 The place is mainly semi-permanent caravans & awnings. It’s a bit basic but the beach is just 20 yds away & its only 4 days. The weather was fine, so we settled in & cycled into Fano for an Aperol. Then it was a BBQ for the first time in ages & then it started to Thunder & Lightning. Luckily no gusty winds so awning was not destroyed but did it rain – for hours. Add to this the trains which pass on the track 50 yds on the other side of the site every 15 minutes and the sea crashing onto the beach and you get the picture. Glad we’re not staying here for 6 weeks!

 Went into the big Fano market on Wed and stocked up with mussels, bread & cheese & had an excellent lunch. Anniversary dinner was at the camp restaurant. Mum didn’t fancy cycling home after a skin full.  It’s a weird arrangement. Self Service. You go in, pick a table, fill in a form, hand that in & they give you your drinks. Then, when your grub is ready someone calls out your table number on a tannoy and then  I go & fetch it on a tray. Take plates back when finished & pay. Crazy!

 The swimming pool is free as is internet for 2 hrs per day but so weak I can’t get photos onto the blog. We shall try to insert these in Cervia. We whizzed off today into Fano to a big Auchan & stocked up on vino & other essentials and then did a bit of gardening & replanted veg etc. The garden is looking good.

 We are currently sitting in the wag whilst it sort of storms outside- again. It suddenly got really windy; skies darkened & a bit of rain fell. So we are awaiting a decision on the BBQ tonite. It’s either that or a seafood pasta.

 OK, time to go. Mum will read this & add a bit no doubt. See you soon

 Love

 M & D

xxx

Castiglione del Lago

Hi Clo,

Glad that you are seriously thinking of coming out to see us, so when it suits you just let us know. Our latest leg was taken along 96 kms of B roads through Arezzo to Camping Badiaccia in the region of Castiglione del Lago. On arrival we did our usual walk-about to choose a good pitch, but unfortunately all the lake-side ones had been taken by the Cloggies. We also didn’t see any evidence of mozzies, because we had actually been booked into another campsite further along the lake but had been warned by an English couple in Florence that it had been overrun by clouds of bugs – ugh! This site again is very relaxing and all motorhomes are in some shade made by a mixture of fir and deciduous trees. We are on Lake Trasimeno, which we had never heard of before, but is in fact the 4th largest lake in Italy. There are 3 small islands one of which has a settlement of 40 families and is accessible by boat. There is also a cycle trail around the lake passing through picturesque country side and villages but it is a total of 71 kms which is a bit excessive for a couple of plodders like us but ideal for the likes of young Laddy!

We are only here for a short time (Thursday arrival – departure Sunday) so on day 1 it was off to Castiglione for a quick trip. The town is on a promontory jutting into the lake with a castle at its tip which was built in the Middle Ages. The old town is actually within the castle walls with fine views across the lake. We strolled around the old square and was hijacked within the first minute and found ourselves tasting salamis, meats and wine – all at 10 o’clock in the morning. As you can guess we walked away with Tartufo (truffle) salami, mushroom pate and a pottery jug – but no wine!

I like Fridays as it is the first day of the next budget week so we treated ourselves to supper at a very rustic restaurant in Borgetto called La Locanda sul Lago. We had already done a bicycle ‘recce’ the previous day and seen a few eateries to eat at, but this seemed favourite. As there was a bit of a sea breeze we sat just inside with the door opening onto the lake, and what a view! We could see across the lake with the castle on the horizon. You would normally pay ‘an arm and a leg’ for that kind of scenery! Dad enjoyed a good meat intake with a mixed grill and I had grilled perch, fresh from the lake. I have never eaten perch before but my! was it tasty? I would certainly recommend it. The restaurant on site was very busy yesterday so on our return from the restaurant we called in and had a coffee before bed. During the night there was a bit of a kafuffle and I thought dad had been attacked by a mozzie only to find that an earwig had dropped on his head and was crawling across his body. Oh happy camping days. Don’t let this turn you off from coming to see us Chloe, we will give you your own netting over your bed, or alternatively plenty of red wine and you will sleep well anyway. England is playing USA tonight, so I should imagine there will be a bit of interest at the bar this evening. Alternatively it might be quite lonely as we are the only Brits on site. Good job we’re not playing Holland! We have now managed to do our ‘chores’ this morning so we will be off to the swimming pool for a laze and then a nice BBQ this evening. We shall be stopping at a couple of farms for the next few days and plan to arrive near Fano on the Adriatic coast by 17 June.

 Have a good weekend,

love

M & D

xxx

Hi Clo

 Glad to hear you had a super weekend in Dublin and managed to sample all the delights of its nightlife and the Guinness experience, as well as enjoying the Westlife concert in Croke Park.

We said ‘goodbye’ to the Emilia Romagna region and ‘hello’ Tuscan hillside on our trip to Florence.  The journey took us high along the toll road across more tree lined valleys and hills and through more tunnels.  Progress was slow as we got caught behind a heavy goods lorry but nevertheless enjoyed the views if not the condition of the road surface which was appalling – there must have been over 200 severe clunks when going over potholes & bridge joins – and just in about 50 miles!!!.  So, it was a bit like rubbing salt into the wound when, due to a blip in the toll machine, it spat out a charge of €56!  This has yet to resolve and for that money even I would have taken a bucket of grit and filled in a few holes! 

 **** Toll Story****     Went to campsite reception & she translated that we had to go back up the Autostrada 17kms to Firenze Sud & check in with Punto Blue – the motorway operators. The real charge should have been about €11. So on the following Tuesday whilst Foxy (see photo) was having her hair done in the style of Austin Powers – I drove 50kms, paid 2 more toll fees & sorted out the problem. When I got back to the original faulty tollbooth there was a big lorry trying to reverse out of the same lane that screwed us up!

Nevertheless, we are now enjoying ourselves in Camping Il Poggetto   (small hill) nestled within the region of Valdarno (Valley of the River Arno) just SW of Florence.   The site it is relaxed but efficient and offers a swimming pool, gym (not used), small supermarket, and a restaurant with a large balcony which offers views of the surrounding countryside and terraced pitches.   We had a nice meal on the first night as it was Friday & money was released. We chose an empty lower area, but the herding instinct soon kicked in with the arrival of a German wag one side of us swiftly followed by another the other side!  Can you believe it?  The latter was also towing a Smart car the colour and markings of which matched exactly their Hymer motorhome.  Now that’s what I call accessorising!

 Our first trip out was to Greve in Chianti, which initially took us, and I keep blaming Doc Brown, along a single track path through an area of olive groves.   Then we gently climbed the hillside and as you can rightly imagine to our left and right we were surrounding by slopes covered by Chianti vineyards and so into Greve.  It was another market day and we purchased a large, €10, chunk of Parmegiano cheese and some strange looking mushrooms which, later in the day, went into a tasty risotto a la Bill. There was a bloke in front of us who bought 4 bits of cheese for €26!!

After an intensive briefing I was let loose into Florence.   The adventure started with the bus ride along narrow, twisting, hairpin roads into the city which could easily be compared with any Disney ride.   My first task on arrival at the bus station was to find where I might catch my return fare (always important) and this wasn’t helped when I asked the bus driver (in Italian I might add) that he made a casual flick of his arm in some general direction yonder.  Where?  Needless to say task done and now it was onto some easy touring on an open top bus, in the sunshine with the breeze in my hair – couldn’t get easier.  It was slightly frustrating because all the high spots are within the city so I could only initially get a glimpse of a church or a roof top, but we continued up into the hillside area of Fiesole where I was rewarded on a backwards glance of the city’s famous sky line.  Once back it was ‘shoe leather’ time and yes, I did have a plan!  First it was Ponte Vecchio, with its gold and silversmith shops, and blast I had forgotten my wallet, then onto the Uffizi to reserve tickets for later in the week, followed by Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce and San Lorenza with its leather market.  Yes, I was on a roll!   It’s unfortunate, but I know necessary, that many of the buildings have some scaffolding or even a couple of cranes to mar the view, but obviously this continuous maintenance and restoration is essential. 

 Finally, immerging from a shady narrow viale I entered the sunlit filled Palazzo Duomo with its magnificent cathedral and its familiar ‘golden’ domes and blue and white exterior.  I know dad says I see everything through rose coloured glasses but I found it quite breathtaking.   You could sit and admire the many sculptures on the exterior for a day and still find new ones.   Based on this opulence I was inspecting a certain level of decoration for the interior but I was slightly disappointed as it was rather stark in comparison except for the decoration within the dome.  I can only guess that either the architect just decided he couldn’t possibly better the outside or just run out of ideas!

The following day we bussed it to Siena, and I know this might give the impression that I am easily swayed, but it’s definitely now scoring Siena 2  – Florence 1 

 on the Duomo front!   The ‘busy’ intricate exterior was well matched by its interior with paintings, floor mosaics and sculptures by famous artists. Well worth a visit.  I found Il Campo much smaller than I imagined and was surprised to see that the stone flooring in the centre of the arena was contoured and not flat.   This is where the famous annual Palio horse races take place.   This spectacle is full of pomp and circumstance with parades and traditional costumes and demonstrates the rivalry between the 17 clans of Seina.   Over two races on different days all the horsemen ride bare backed and dangerously race around the arena, and the ultimate winner then has the honour of representing his particular clan.

 We got the arse-numbing bus ride home along the toll-free autostrada and then the connection via Florence. A quick visit to a 99cent shop to pick up some goodies & home for another pizza. Eyes bigger than stomach as pizza far too large!

Shirl got haircut this morning at local ‘parrachurria’ whilst I sorted the toll. 2 other Brit campers are dropping by for a vino tonite so we can discuss our next stop. They say it’s mossie-infested so we will probably change.

Don’t know next blog day as we are going on to a couple of farms. Next real campsite is on the 17^th – so I may get a blog in then.

 Take care

 Love

 M & D xxx

 Our garden  peppers coming on…

Hi Clo

 Hot & sticky in Bologna. Arrived Ok from Lake Garda on Monday after a short drive in windy but warm conditions. The site was easy to find & Doc Brown got us here OK. We picked a nice grassy site with loads of room for the Smartie & the awning and eventually the wind died down.   Guess what? … We had a Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner!!!!

Washrooms etc are fine & there are a load of bungalows on the site as well. Pretty quiet, but we met up with an American who stores his wag in Amsterdam & spends 6 months of the year in Europe. Also, we met an English couple who have been doing this for 2 years and we had a few vinos last night & swapped info.

They were off to Venice today.

 We’ve been in to Bologna a couple of times on the bus – only €1 each way right outside the reception. It seems a solid Italian town and no matter which way you look there’s another historic building.   I think Dad is about ‘touristed out’ here, just wait until we get to Florence!  Mum found a €2 shoe stall!!! (Chloe you would have loved it).  We also picked up a new motorised cool box to keep extra beers in as the fridge labours a bit if overloaded and can’t quite cope with the 30 degs plus temps.

Mad Brian is in Epernay today & we wonder whether he will ever make it home to Clitheroe.

Got a couple of good recipes:

 Pork ‘n Pasta Peschiera:          Get some pork fillets from ASDA, slice them really thinly. Add onion, loads of garlic & some mushies into a frying pan with olive oil. Fry up & then add the pork. Fry up & when cooked add big dollop of cream. Stir & add to spaghetti or penne. Its brill. Made it up myself.

 Pasta Aglio, Olio Peperoncino has been on our menu many times. Drinking lots of Aperol – you’ll like it. First 2 weeks of August in Pisa.

 A few stats for you:

 We’ve had 45% really hot days, 38% OK days & only 17% not so good – mainly in England.

 I have exercised 1.89 miles per day & Mum 2.10 mile per day. She’s been swimming a lot. Nice pool here in Bologna.

 We’ve driven 1843 miles since we started. Average speed 38.7 mph.  Average fuel usage: 22.3 miles per gallon & fuel cost £1.15 per gallon.  We are also spending more than we thought. But I think that’s the holiday syndrome. When that wears off & Mum stops ‘touristing’ we should settle down.

I’ve been bitten loads of times by mossies & Mum NOT AT BLOODY ALL!!!! Got some great stuff from the Farmacia with Ammonia which really kills the bite if you get it quick so we’ve now bought loads of extra anti-mossie stuff. Van seems OK with netting. 

 Sleeping much better in the van than at home so that’s great. Mum is up really early most days & goes for a walk & does Tai Chi. Off to Florence on Friday. Hope to get into the Uffizi etc if the queues aren’t too long.

 Speak soon and enjoy Ireland.

 Love

M & D

xxx