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Published: June 14th 2017
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Geo: 46.1404, 8.72742
A long drive today...450km from Pordenone to Porto Ronco. We were in the car by 9, negotiating with 2 GPS systems - it seems one is unable to find a signal 60% of the time, so very glad I downloaded the free NavMii app!
After a short time in the autostrada, we decided to take a more scenic route, as we wanted to stop in Citadella before arriving at Giovanna-Maria's (Rita's cousin) before lunch. It was a nice drive, but he road was only one lane each way, so our progress was not as fast as it would have been. But we arrived in Citadella at 11, and had time for a coffee (and toilet stop!). It was Market Day, and this cute town completely ringed by it's medieval walls was bustling - although the market stalls mainly seemed to be selling socks, jocks and shoes, people were out doing their Christmas shopping in the perfect sunshine. I didn't take photos - stupidly - so have pinched these from the Internet. But I did take photos of the kids cuddling bunny rabbits!
Then, off to lunch with Giovanna Maria & her daughters Cristina and Romina. We see Cristina a lot on
Facebook, and GM was so happy to see us. She runs a knitwear factory - her main client is now Alaia, whose dresses sell for €3000 - we wee fascinated to watch the dresses being made, that go on to be worn by the likes of Michelle Obama, Katie Holmes, Victoria Beckham. Unfortunately, none of those dresses can "go a-waltzing Matilda" - each label is carefully guarded and the products are collected each day! But Georgia was lucky enough to be given some sample Max Mara and Giorgio Armani cardigans!!
We had a lovely few hours with them, catching up on news of the Rubbo family in Australia and Italy.
And the best panettone ever, according to the kids - a fresh made choc chip panettone! We also tried the Torcolato dessert wine, made locally. The name Torcolato means twisted, and it comes from the way the grapes are allowed to dry, that is hanging in feet long twisted hanks.
They pick the grapes in October leaving the bunch on the branches, which are woven together into long strands, then twist them and allow them to dry until mid January.
We were on the road again by 3pm, this time taking the
autostrada towards Milan and then the Swiss border. It was overcast and grey, and the light was gone by 4.30pm but it didn't rain. The only traffic we hit was east of Milan, where a truck had broken down at the place that 14 lanes (that had come through the toll booth) were meant to merge back to 3...
By 7.30pm, we had arrived in Porto Ronco - Ronco feels like coming home!!! We went to Martina's home and she took us to the amazing 3 bedroom apartment on the lake - it is Floriano's childhood home! - then prepared us a lovely dinner with the boys (Andrea 20yr and Daniele 14yr) and Floriano. We really enjoyed our fondue chinois (basically, sukiyaki, Swiss style!)
A big day!
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