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Published: July 16th 2011
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Monday 4th July
We went to the caves at Postojna, we were a little bit sceptical at first as it looked like a typical “let's rip off the tourists” set up, with overpriced cafes and mountains of tat for sale. However the caves were magnificent with the the little train speeding through 1.5km of amazing limestone formations before we even got to the best bit! Well worth the trip.
Over the border into Italy and found a lovely little aire to stay in overnight, well it would have been lovely if the church bells hadn't been quite so loud and can anybody tell me why did it strike the hour twice? By the time it reached twenty four chimes at midnight it was really getting on my nerves!
Tuesday we headed for the beach at Lignano and a day off. It was nice to spend the afternoon lazing and swimming in the sea. However, the town was like Blackpool and the majority of the beach was roped off for the hotels, so the public could only use the six feet along the water's edge, not somewhere I will ever go back to. Stayed in the car park in town (one of
only two where motorhomes were allowed to park) it was nice and quiet until the local youths arrived to practice their 180 handbrake turns at one in the morning and then the bin men arrived at 5a.m. So another night with little sleep. Phil didn't hear any of it with his super earplugs pressed firmly in his ears.
Wednesday we went back to Venice. We parked at a nearby village and took the train in and a water taxi over to Murano to look at the glass. We watched the craftsmen making a chandelier which was very interesting then we admired all the beautiful (but very expensive) ornaments and jewellery. Another aire for the night which turned out to be next to a very noisy road and mosquito infested. For some reason the mozzys were getting in the van, it took us some time to work out where they were getting in and swat about 30 of the little buggars. Third night with no sleep and I am now covered in mozzy bites. For some reason they didn't find Phil so tasty (humphh!).
So Thursday into Ferrara and off to look round the town and it's medieval streets and castle.
Got back to the car park to find the van had been broken into. We should have known better, there was a van of gypsies in the car park so we should not have left the van there, but as it was a really big, busy, central car park with lots of cars coming and going we thought it would be all right. Luckily everything valuable was in the safe so they didn't get away with too much, I can only suppose they were hungry as they stole all our food! They also stole Phil's hair clippers, so the police are now looking for a well groomed fat man. The worst thing was sorting out the mess and the damage they did to the door. They levered off the Fiamma lock making a hole in the door and also broke the main door lock. After spending two hours at the police station filling in forms we went off to the nearest aire. Again, it seemed nice and peaceful next to the park but then the local bar started playing very loud music which showed no sign of abating by 11 p.m. We moved off to a nearby car park which
yes, you've guessed it, was next to a busy main road and bin men arriving at 4 a.m. After a crap day and less than 12 hours sleep in four nights I was wondering if it would actually be nicer to go home and go back to work!
Saturday 9th July
Yesterday Phil went to the Ferrari museum whilst I stayed with the van and watched all the people road testing Ferraris around the streets (10 mins for €50). We bought a new barrel for the door lock and this morning Phil has been repairng the damaged Fiamma lock, just the hole in the door to repair now. We are going to head for the hills now and hopefully some peace and quiet.
Sunday 10th July
Yes the drive through the hills was pretty but nowhere much to stop in the small villages, must come back some time with a a car or on a bike. Into Florence today, I was very impressed with the Cathedral but otherwise was surprised at the endless stalls selling tat and how dirty and smelly the city was. We had trouble finding somewhere to stop for the night so we ended up driving to
Lake Trasimeno where we managed to find another noisy car park and I was beginning to wonder if we were really on a mission to find the car park from hell.
Monday 11th July
Hurrah! found an aire by the lake at Castiglione del Lago with a lovely view and where we could actually get our chairs out and relax. So we made ourselves comfortable and chilled, Phil managed a nice swim in the lake then fell asleep in his comfy chair and now looks like a lobster, silly boy!
Tuesday 12th July
Cycled to Cortona about 20km up the road, we passed it on the way down and thought it looked interesting. A village perched on top of a hill with a fort and lots of little narrow streets. Very pretty and worth the slog up the hill in 39 degrees to get there. I was so hot by the time we got back that I actually went for a swim in the lake which until now I had refused to do, as it looked a bit too green and murky for my liking.
Wednesday 13th July
Had a walk round the town (Castiglione del Largo), interesting castle and
town but no Wi Fi so still in the middle ages then!
Phil went out on his road bike round the lake, 65km to burn off some calories! I stayed at the van and kept my reclining chair company in the shade.
Saturday 16th July
We are now at Monte Cucco where the World Hangliding competition is, Phil has signed up as an air marshall and we are off up the hill shortly as today looks like it will be the only flying day for a while.
Photos to follow.
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bessie trueman
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photos
good photo's I thought all Ferraris were red. Wendy enjoying ice cream, Phil does not look pink. glad you could repair damage to van. are you insured for theft? Bye for now. rained here for 3 days now and more to come good for crops but now outdoor activity's.