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Published: June 16th 2008
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The Four Compadres in Portafino
Just another group of celebrities in Portafino Sunday the 18th, we have just finished our walk along the Cinque Terra, Annie seems much more excited than normal, my first thought is that she is just so happy being away with me for 9 weeks with still another month to go. I was pretty sure it didn’t have anything to do with meeting up with Rob and Wilma in Santa Margherita, being able to get away with Wilma and do the shops, and staying the night in a beautiful hotel with a lovely soft bed and pillow??? Na!
It proved to be a major operation manoeuvring the van through the tight streets of Santa Magherita and then to have the bell-hop ride out on his motor scooter to find us and lead us to a suitable parking place. It really has become an art to fit our big home through the tightest of places in these old towns.
Rob and Willy were at the hotel as planned and we spent the night strolling the streets, wining dining and catching up on our experiences thus far.
The drive into Genoa next morning was uneventful although it was a sight loading up the van in the narrow street in front of
the hotel. Rob collected his car at the airport in Genoa and we set off for Monaco. Best laid plans do not always come to fruition, within a few minutes of leaving the airport we had been separated. Thank heavens for the mobile as we were soon able to link up again. We cruised along the AutoStrada for 80ks. It seemed at times we were either on a bridge or in a tunnel. We left the freeway Justas we entered France and took the spectacular “Grand Corniche” a famous road that wind high over the top of Monaco offering unforgettable views of the French Riviera. We dropped down into Nice and unfortunately were not able to park as we were caught up in their peak traffic. The slow drive along the main promenade however did give us the opportunity to take in the sight of this paradise for the rich.
The following day we took the train into Monaco, what a place, wealth just oozing out everywhere, we walked and walked, did the Palace, tried to break the Casino, I must admit we did seem to fit into this lifestyle quite comfortably. Monaco was all a buzz as it was
Rob, Rob, & The Rob Car
Portafino just oozes class, even in the selection of its Garbage Truck. preparing for the Grand Prix the following Sunday, The track was set, the grand stands in place and pit straight was frantic, and before I knew it I was being escorted out of the pits by this big guy in black. Somehow I just wandered into the pits with my trusty little camera clicking and video whirring, it was fascinating seeing these guys putting the cars together, and the massive high tech trucks they use to transport their gear was amazing.
The next day was a lengthy drive up to the Lakes district, the freeways make it pretty easy going and the 300 k was freeway all the way. We arrived at this pretty little place called Stresa on Lago Maggiore. Roband Willy settled into the Palace on the Lake whilst Annie and I found a lovely little camp on the edge of the lake, we were fortunate enough to park our van on the lakes edge with beautiful views and the sound of the water lapping against the stonewalls.
The weather turned and low cloud and drizzly rain settled in for the next couple of days slightly dampening the splendour of this part of Italy. We loaded the cars
Juan les Pins, French Riviera
The Christies get an invite to the Jonson Palace on the Cote d' Azure on the ferry for our ride across the lake and headed for Lake Como. This drive, although only about 60ks was probably the worst we encountered, traffic most of the way through what seemed like endless suburbs, the drive into Como itself was no better and we were all glad that we decided not to stay in Como. Once passed Come we followed the Lake north to a beautiful little village Called Bellagio. I must admit, this drive for me was one of the most beautiful we had encountered, athough it was extremely narrow and windy. Many time we deeded to stop and squeeze passed oncoming cars and vans. At one point where we came across some road works the roadside worker had to bend one of his signs back to allow us an extra few cms. Willy had the video going from behind us so can’t wait to see some of that.
Bellagio was a lovely village and once again Rob and Willy found themselves in this lovely hotel perched high on the side of the mountain with sensational views along the lake and to the surrounding mountains. We initially had trouble finding a camp, it was latish so
Monaco getting set for the Grand Prix
The place is all a buzz as it prepares for the big race. we “free camped” in a parking area and again found ourselves on the lakes edge. The clouds continued to hang low over the surrounding hills but the lake was still and the view across the lake to the villages both by the lake and high in the hills was breathtaking. We awoke the next morning to clear skies and stunning views , snow capped mountains appeared that were not visble the day before. We again ferried across the lake and headed toward those mountains and Switzerland.
Getting further behind with our blog so will sign off and get this to print Constantly (more than sometimes) thinking of our family and friends. Love Annie and Rob.
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