Buon giorno ( soon to be Bonjour), to everyone, Hello and Arrivederla from Italy, so far we have been to...
TUSCANY: - Montalcino, gorgeous wine region, all the vines have done what they do best, the leaves have shed the vines and they are all looking gnarly & ready for winter and so are the trees surrounding all this beautiful mountainous countryside.
SIENA: We are at a campsite in Casciano di Murlo We were the only ones here, great spot with fabulous facilities.
I must digress here, I have to take you back 170 kms down the track to explain. We were in a free sosta with 4 other vans, then by nightfall there was only us. We parked under a security light, all o.k. I woke with a start in the early hrs of the morning, usually about 3am ( my best worry/think time ) and I started to quietly panic. I didn’t really know where we where …….90% of the town was closed down and there was no one around, my concern was if there was trouble or if anything happened health wise to Terry, what would I do. This is not very clever!!!!!! - My ignorance of technology (my fault) stupid!!!! I am relearning the G.P.S. & the TOM TOM so I know what to do in all situations. It’s rare that we are totally isolated (alone) but it does happen.
PISA: For someone i.e. ME…. who didn’t appreciate History at school, I’m sure stuck on it now, wow!!! The leaning Tower of Pisa, what a site to behold, (not to be missed) the photos tell the story.
The town itself is picturesque, with narrow streets and wide piazzas. We wandered around for a couple of hours, they have very “upmarket" markets, a colourful sight. We had the best Cappuchino in all Italy at Pisa, it was HOT... not lukewarm -( but I believe this is how its served in Italy) - Darn!!!I It was from McDonalds McCafe! Would you believe it?
I must also tell you we have no cookbooks/recipes in H.H. Its nearly 12 months gone, so we have been relying on instinct/memory and after a few wines/beers we have become quiet creative to say the least, especially in Italy with all the pastas etc. anything goes. T.Lee has perfected a perfect Risotto with Porcini mushrooms. yum…...
Le CINQUE TERRE: the 5 lands. We have climbed this mountain and H.H. our little workhorse loved the challenge of the climb and the narrow roads. We are about 1000ft above sea level at a camp sosta and we are the only ones here, surrounded by Olive and Bay trees, what a view.
Next day we work our way back down to the town of Levanto to catch the train. We decided on 3 of the towns as it was a funny old day weather wise. We had a very helpful woman at the train ticket office who spoke good English, she suggested it was the best alternative as most of the shops were closed for the season, so 3 it was. There are fabulous walking tracks between the villages but because its been so wet, we decided to hop on and off the train. Monterosso, Vernazza & Riomaggiore were the chosen towns. Each unique and beautiful.
We could only imagine what these would be like in Summer. Full of life and very busy.
Anchovies are a traditional dish of this region. We stayed at a campsite Fornaci al Mare, Deiva Marina and met up with Marcia, Pete and LuLu again.
Still moving N.E. along the coast, it is so stunning on a non rainy day with the sun shining. We are at FINALE LIGURE, a sosta on a ocean wall facing the sea.
Today is a day of celebrations here “:The Imaculate Conception” (public holiday) We couldn’t work out why there were so many camper vans parked here! We went for a great walk and weaved in and out of the huge market stalls and carnival sideshows set up for the holiday and back through the side streets. Most shops have their Christmas decorations and sparkling lights, up it’s Dec 8th. So we decided to join in!
Next couple of days we spend at Diano Marina another fabulous coastal town (actually they all are ) with beautifully decorated shops. The campsite had a winter tariff of 22 euros for 3 days incl. power ...yeah!!! Wandering around I decided to find some ducks to feed with our excess bread, and as I passed a little Italian man, he burst into song at the washing up station. He was having a lovely time scrubbing his pots and pans and serenading the area. And of course we are feeding the local stray cats. They also love bread, they know how to work a couple of suckers like us. We now keep a stock of “Whiskas” type biscuits in H.H. We sadly patted a grateful Tabby goodbye with a tummy full of these (unfortunately most strays will get up into the engine bay for some warmth). A couple of campsites back we saw Pete shooing four out of his - I thought he’d actually lost the plot, untill I realised what he was doing.
Off we go again and ended up down a very skinny road, we could do our window shopping from the comfort of H.H. quite incredible - nice beds, mattresses, shoe and camera shops etc., I’m not joking !!! Every where are potted Poinsettias and Cyclamens, here is me thinking the later are a delicate plant, not so, they are out in all weather conditions.
SAN REMO: As the coast gets prettier and closer to Monaco, so does the size of the boats increase.
Very large Motor Yachts/Ships start to appear.Goodness me the money involved.
The Gold Coast in OZ has seen nothing like these, there’s nowhere big enough there and we are not even in Monaco yet! It’s almost obscene, (jealousy is a curse). We rode around another one today goggle eyed. Speaking to one of the crew they mentioned that on “Stand Down” when the owner was not on board, they had a crew of 20! Double that when they went to sea.
It was nice to get back to H.H. and the real world and a big bowl of home made chicken and vegy soup with crusty bread. Yum !! Our first ride together for a while was a mere 30 klms on a converted railway line, even the old tunnels were fun but chilly.
It’s starting to get colder. Winter is arriving. We both had very sore back sides from the ride and my old legs were tired out.
We’ve been in Italy for 3 months now, we’ve seen a lot, and a lot we’ll have to see next year, It’s been fantastic even with the lunatic drivers. Most campsites/sostas have only 3 amps for electricity which means, no jugs, no heater, no space oven, so its back to L.P.G, when you get 6 amps its a bloody bonus…….
It’s a shame our passports don’t get stamped changing countries as ours would of been very interesting with all the crisscrossing we have done, especially on our bikes.
We’re off to France tomorrow via St. Tropez….this only for a couple of days, then onto Spain for Christmas. (Barcelona) We crossed into France and after paying so many tolls (about 40 euros) in two days, the last one got us! It would not accept our 5 euro note, (we had run out of coin) so holding up the traffic, I had to jump out of H.H. run around the back,( put the steps back up) wave to the other motorists (trying to be nice about all this.) Terry couldn’t get out as they are narrow lanes. I shove the note in, the boom gate goes up. Terry has to move quickly, I have to jam myself up against the machine so he could get out, I then have to run and then nearly get clocked on the head with the gate coming back down, then run to H.H. (put the steps back down) jump inside, (put the steps back up) (as you will all remember what happens if you don’t!!!! ) lock the door and we’re off again. All in a days work on the road………?
So everyone have a wonderful, safe, Happy Christmas & New Year. We'll be writing of our adventures/misadventures for 2015, Enjoy!!!! With Lots of love to all ,and the best of the seasons greetings.
From Susie, Terry and H.H. ( "Henry Hymer” ) X X X
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