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Published: March 19th 2011
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13.3.2011 - Bologna
Tom out on his bike ride with the local MTB club Monday 7th March 2011
Venezia
The costumes needed to be returned. So after lunch Tom and I went into Venezia while Megan did some packing up of her suitcases and sort out what to take to London, what to send home and what to throw out. We also had to do the postage, so we were pretty loaded up as the postage was in the back packs and the costumes were in three large carry bags and they were quite heavy. With that done we headed back to hotel to rest up.
Tuesday 8th March 2011
Venezia
Went downtown to Mestre and collect the computer as it had been there since last Thursday, with them trying to download some programs via net as they only had them in Italian. Megan wanted a haircut and to pick up a few things, so Tom headed back to Hotel.
We then started taking all our gear back down to the van to be ready to leave tomorrow.
There were things we didn’t see and do in Venezia as there were too many tourists and the queues were too long, so will come back on our way to Germany.
We decided to go out
for dinner to have our last meal out with Megan (it will be 8 months before we see her again).
Wednesday 9th March 2011.
Venice - Bologna
We leave the motor home at the hotel and we headed off with Megan to the airport on the local bus – well that was the plan – it turned out to be a nightmare – we misinterpreted the directions. So we ended up getting a taxi.
Megan is now quite the traveller. She enquired at the airport if she could post home her new outfit now and claim the tax back. But no, she could only claim it back when she leaves the EU and the goods had to be with her, so that meant she had to carry it around. Bummer. So she checks in her bags and off she goes thru customs. Bye bye our beautiful girl until December.
We get the bus back to Mestre. No problem. It’s 12.30pm so we decide to have lunch at a local restaurant before going back to hotel. Very nice indeed.
We head out towards Bologna. An easy 3 hours drive. We find the campsite. Pleasant surprise – 6amps electric, shower block enclosed and heated, concrete pavers with holes for grass as a site, gymnasium, bar, restaurant, toilet paper included, and only €19 including showers.
Thursday 10th March 2011
Bologna
Had a sleep in and then into Bologna. We went to the Koine school to check out where it is, then to tourist office – lots of brochures to go through. Wandering around the streets we went into 2 interior shops and found a glass extension dining room table.. It is to die for. Went into the bus ticket office and purchased a 10 trip pass and a monthly ticket pass as it was the cheapest way for us to travel around.
Did a bit of shopping and then home on the bus.
As we are here for up to 5 weeks, Tom started putting up the side annex for the first time.
We both feel good that we are staying put for 5 weeks, to orientate ourselves with the area, and Tom can now work out where he can go for lots of rides in the mountains.
Friday 11th March 2011.
Bologna
Stayed in all day. Gaye fought with the computer and the new Windows 7 program and trying to find our old files. By 4pm she had had it – nearly threw the computer out the window. I don’t think the computer shop did a good job !!!!
Tom went for bike ride and stopped and talked to people at bike shop about local rides and found about some on. He went into Eurotronics and purchased an ‘E’ book – he now has to make it work – the manual is in Italian, can’t find an English manual to download either.
Tom feeds me some brie cheese, pomegranate jam, crackers and wine. I start to come good. More wine please.
Dinner is left-overs and then have pancakes for dessert and more wine. I get stuck into reading a novel, Tom plays with the ‘E’ book.
Saturday 12th March 2011.
Bologna
Up and into town to look around at the Medieval centre.
Also went to the Ferramenta (Hardware) for a few things. The owner is a gentleman of about 70 years of age – obviously his business – his wife was also working there. He served us and was so great. His business had a huge modern selection of goods for a small premises. He was in his suit and tie. The rest of the staff were not so formally dressed.
Went into the tourist office and they rang up for Tom about a bike ride on tomorrow weather permitting.
We ended up in a bookshop that also had a restaurant in it. Great food, fun time. I was practicing my Italian and the waiter helped me along.
After lunch, we went upstairs and Tom bought a map of France so he can mark it out with the route of the stages of the Tour de France. He is also doing this on the Italian map for the Giro de Italia.
Sunday 13th March 2011
Bologna
Now for our bicycle riding friends - here is Tom’s day.
Tom rode into town to meet up with a group going on a ride through the mountains to see if the ride was OK for him. Well, the group was the local touring club, so he decided it would be OK – it looked like it might rain.
So they get a train to Imola, and head straight to the café, where he as a coffee and apple strudel. Only €4.60 for 2 servings, so the young guy pays for him. Then they are off to Imola Formula 1 raceway and ride around it, as it’s an open day, with lots of road riders.
Then they head off along the river to Fontanelice – weather is OK, then they go down further along the river and then they climb and climb, and then Tom starts to fall back a bit. Then along the ridge it starts to rain, then they descend and he starts to freeze up. They start to climb again and he starting to struggle, then they head up the last pitch – just like Paroo Road at home and he is a shot duck. At the top is Dozza- a lovely place (we will go back when sun is out) and they have lunch there. This is good as he starts to recover and warm up a bit. After lunch, they are back on their bikes to the railway station and back to Bologna. He then rides back to the caravan park. 74kms and he is shattered. It is 5.30pm. Hot shower to warm up and dinner. Good time today and met some nice people.
Me, I am home all day alone. Time on the computer and read my book – feet up. Listening to the rain on the roof. Bliss. :-)
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