Gary and Lucy

Monday 4th July We said our goodbyes to our friends who were over for the MotoGP and hit the autostrade to get to Tuscany as quick as possible. At 9am it was already roasting hot. I did start to worry as we made it to Tuscany and there were lots of industrial areas.....but after turning on to the main road for Castellina in Chianti the rolling Tuscan hills open up in front of us. Vineyards and olive groves as far as the eye can see with rustic farmhouses dotted everywhere. We had made it to Chianti Country - Heaven! Italians have a style of accommodation called Agritourismo. Were you can rent a room or an apartment on a working farm. Ours was an olive farm. They also made salami from local wide boars. We didn't get ... read more

Sunday 19th June We wake up to a lovely sunny day and hit the road bound for Lake Como. Como itself was busy and very town-y, we're drove through zig zagging through the town in heavy traffic due to the now legendary Italian signage. Both glad we didn't book to stay in Como while on Lake Como. We finally found the road to Bellagio, a fantastic flowing road which would have been an amazing ride had it not been for the millions of other cars slowly winding through. A procession of lovely old Fiat's passed us, there must've been about 50 of them! Lake Como was glistening in the sun, dotted with boats of all sizes. The shores were little towns dotted along, plenty of villas....and palaces, restaurants every few hundred metres of less. Now this ... read more

So, one week to go. Sitting on the boat with our clothes, camping kit and lots of books about Italy around us, trying to figure out how on earth to fit it all into our bike luggage. Gary has figured out that we have 90L of space which is basically one small suitcase between us - FUN! Gary would like to use the other F word..... The ferry is booked for silly o'clock next Monday and our first night in Reims, France. We have tickets booked for the MotoGP in Mugello on 3rd and 4th July and a hotel with mates the night after. That is all we have booked, the rest is going to be a big adventure. Can't wait to leave the rain and hit the Italian countryside. The bike has had a bit ... read more