Ancona to Turin

So where were we up to – Ah Ancona and another port so it must be Saturday 16 May. This time we had a welcoming committee with Herman Pfauter from Santa Barbara CA and Andrea Gatti, from the Italian Military Vehicle group. Herman had kindly booked us into a hotel for the night but it had been decided that we were off to a camping ground at Senigallia. Unfortunately on arrival the ground was still closed and we had to move onward and upward to Urbino. Lang and Bev were not to know it was not open. Forgive me if I am repeating myself.

The camping ground at Camping Pineta, Urbino left a little to be desired with a hike to the loos and very little in the way of amenities. Some of the women of the group have got the point of grading the camping grounds by the number of squats and sit loos, shower heads and their efficiency, together with their drainage ability and distance from them to where we can actually camp, laundry facilities and other basics. The first into camp does the reccie and reports to all others as they arrive.

Unfortunately at this one, we were told to camp wherever we wanted and just adjacent was a toilet block which was not open. Some enterprising folk started the water, fixed the leaking fittings and we were functioning. Not long after, the park manager came up and was angry because there had been a leakage further down the hill. It was only the next morning when we found the run off had leaked into the construction of the new swimming pool. Sorry about that. Anyway that was 1 squat and 1 sit for the women, showers reasonable.

It seems that Saturday afternoon in Italy is a no go zone for supermarkets so we had very few supplies. John had got used to ordering steak, eggs and chips in a few places and we had to forgo such luxuries that night. We delved into the trusty food supplies everyone had dutifully packed and not much used. A grand meal of Cup a Soup, followed by Baked Beans with Steak and Bacon, bread, Deb potato and some vino and beer. Then a drive to the gorgeous old city of Urbino. Had to park outside the city walls and walk in. It was an eye opener – a university based town and the birth place of Raffaello the artist.


A very rough shower next morning and on the road again via many mountainous roads some 1200 m above sea level and another 980 m. On the way we went into a village and there were many small racing cars preparing for a race, one set of drivers and handlers were fascinated with our ute as the boys were with their vehicle. PHOTO. Found two memorials to the Italian partisans executed or taken as prisoners by the Nazi from WWII high up in these mountains near Campagnia. Got down from there and went to Scarperia, north of Florence where the main group of the Italian Military Vehicle Collectors met us and we had a welcome and closed streets for us to display our vehicles.

After that we went back to San Piero a Sieve and stayed at Mugallo Verde Camping. Many sits, squats and laundry.

This morning we drove to the nearby station and went to Florence. While many of the women of the group seemed to have been there before, it seems that very few of the men had. I led my little tour group of John, Mick and Graeme. Although it had been 12 years since I was there last, my antenna worked immediately from the railway station my sister Elizabeth and I arrived, through to the Piazza della Republica and the Hotel Pendini, the Duomo and other magnificent places. John did not take the hint that on the Ponte Vecchio he was supposed to buy me a piece of “gold” jewellery, as in major gold. Darn!!!



Paddy did it again – there he was on the banks of Arno River and in the background was the Ponte Vecchio. Hopefully tomorrow he will be holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa



Got back to the railway station in time for the return train, then managed to hear that the track the train was leaving from had been changed, raced to that and left. Major hiccup later when we didn’t recognise stations or tunnels and got out one stazione early. The local Municipale Polizia, John Marco at Vaglio was very helpful and put us onto a bus. Finally found our vehicles and on the road. One and a half hours later, for a distance of 15 km we found the road to Lucca and Pisa, via Campi.

That camping ground was nearly 5 star rated – The Torre Pedente at Pisa. About 800 metres to the old town and the tower. We were quite late trying to get over there in the evening, worrying about one vehicle which had failed to turn up at camp after San Piero a Sieve. By the time we walked out of the park the rest had gone ahead. Not knowing the exact direction to go, we headed back to camp where I was able to connect somewhat but didn’t finish this message. By that time it was 2330 and time for bed. We were due at the Tower at 0730 in the morning.

Tuesday, 19 May
We made it to the tower before all the tourists, the local junk tourist sellers, beggars and hawkers and managed to get our vehicles lined up on the road in front. Unfortunately, the sun was in the wrong position but we managed to snap away anyway. Paddy made it for the photo shoot but it is a bit difficult to see him or us for that matter.
PHOTOS

Left there about 0830 and headed to Albenga and Garlenda, on the western side of the bay from Genoa. Garlenda is the headquarters of the Fiat 500 Club and their museum and we were camped rough on grounds near a sporting field. A container with 4 loos to share with everyone and another container with cold showers way on the other side.

We were asked to line up and be prepared to move out to the Fiat Museum at 1830. Only a few smaller vehicles were taken up and believe it or not, we had the town brass band from Albenga leading us from the ground, up to the main street and all the way to the museum, marching tunes and all!! Vern, eat your heart out on the vehicle.
PHOTOS

The locals came out and waved and cheered us through. A big welcome at the museum and then over to the Tennis Club Restaurant for cocktails of guava juice, champagne and delicious hors d’oeuvres. That wasn’t the end of it though. Red and white wine on tables, antipasta of mortadella, prosciutto and ham with bread, followed by basil stratticiano pasta, then sliced steak, pommes noisette and ending with tiramisu and coffee, all for 20 euro. Bargain and a great time had by all. We were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor and many others.

Presentations were made for delivery to the Prime Minister’s of Australia and New Zealand from the Fiat 500 Club. I’m sure Kevin Rudd and John Keys will appreciate the offer.

Given it had been quite a hike from the camping area to the museum and it was then dark, decisions had to be made about getting home. Four piled into one jeep and two sat on the bonnet. Our wonderful driver, Jenny, couldn’t see around those on the front, so I was peering around on the right hand side. Laughed all the way back to camp and were still laughing when we got to bed. A wonderful evening in Garlenda and one to remember

It is now Wednesday and we have arrived in Turin. Finally back with some semblance of internet access, even if I have to sit at base camp and type this before going to somewhere where I can get reception.