Tue 28/8 - Canterbury Park & Ride, 272m
On our way by 12.20, arriving at Canterbury Park and Ride by 6.30pm (6hr 10m). They provide a separate area for MHs for just £2.50 which includes bus to Canterbury and back.
However once settled we had a re-occurance of a water pump problem - no running water.
Took it to Cranhams to repair, which we thought they had but alas the problem continued throughout the trip
Took it to Cranhams to repair, which we thought they had but alas the problem continued throughout the trip
Wed 29/8 - Hans Sur Leese/Belgium, 328m - 600m so far
Headed for Belgium for our first stop, an Aire in Tournai but wasn’t that keen on it so carried onto Hans sur Leese (Belgium) and stayed at an excellent municipal parking area in the town (€10). Situated in a pleasant, quiet spot and a an easy walk into a lovely small town.
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| Hans Sur Leese, Belgium |
Thur 30/8 - Kelh/Germany, 227m - 827m so far
Sunny morning, went for a walk around Hans sur Leese through the park to the river - building up Mrs Bs ankle (recovering from ruptured achilles).
Then onto our next stop, a MHome aire (called Sosta’s in Germany) just over Rhine from Strasbourg. Got stuck in rush hour traffic just a couple of k from the parking site. Came in the wrong way, in future come down the German autobahn (A5).
Mauled to death without running water and having to use water containers and the kettle - a real pain. But managed a short walk and a couple of lovely German Pils.
Fri 31/8 Como/Italy, 231m - 1058m so far
More foot therapy this morning for Susan with a very pleasant walk alongside the Rhine in what is a really nice park area that has been created on the margins of the river.
On our way by midday heading down the A5 toward Switzerland in fairly heay rain. Paid for a 10 day HGV (over 3.5 ton) pass at the border (€27). They were going to charge extra for the scooter trailer - but got away with it in the end.
Did plan on staying at an ACSI site near Lugano at the top of Lake Maggiore (Switzerland bit), which took some finding in heavy rush hour traffic and when we got there they offered us a really grotty small pitch next to the rubbish bins so moved onto Como town and a known parking area for MHomes just outside Como town. Seemed a good enough spot and had one other Camper for company, so pitched up and headed to a local pizzeria for tea.
Sat 1/9 - La Spezia/Italy, 248m - 1306m so far
Very restless night - lot of road noise then early morning deliveries to the Bakers opposite, so made an early start.
Headed for the Somaglia services area approx 20m south of Milan on the A1 to try and sort out our water problem. Refitted the take up pipe in the water tank but the pump starts spluttering once the level in the tank drops below the bit the pipe fits into. Rang Cranhams (my dealer) but couldn’t offer much help other than agreeing with me that it may need glueing in. So still no running water. They had showers in the services toilet block which we both used.
Onto La Spezia in Liguria on the Med coast driving along the spectacular A15 motorway which winds through through the mountains through tunnels and viaducts for most of the way. Missed our turn onto the A15 because Mrs SatNav stopped talking to me - oh how we become reliant on these things. Heavy rain most of the way. Parked up at the free ish Sosta in La Spezia, a very large dedicated MH parking area at the back of an Ambulance depot. It is gated and run by the crews who just ask for donations (beer money).
Early night tonight but kept awake by noisy Italian neighbours (having a good time would you believe). Then the guy right next door decided to run his engine no doubt to charge his batteries at 9.30pm !! His exhaust ony feet from our MHome door - I don’t think so !!!! Not wishing to generalise but Italians do seem oblivious to others, existing in there own little bubble.
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| La Spezia |
Sun 2/9 La Spezia/Italy, day 2
Good day !! - finally sorted out our water problem. Had a good look with glasses and a torch in the tank only to notice TWO holes out of the tank: one is a vent to fresh air and one is to the water pump, no guesses for the one I had been coupling the uptake pipe to. Anyway now sorted, and what a relief after 5 days of no running water.
So can start our holiday proper now and first trip out was a train to the Cinque Terre Villages. Pleasant day out and these villages are nice enough and you can walk along the coast between each one but overun with tourists (mainly Americans) and restaurants are all over priced.
Stopped of at the excellent Naval Museum on the way back (La Spezia is a big Navy town). Must look up the story of HMS Valiant attacked in Alexandria harbour by the Italian ‘human torpedoes’ - interesting story.
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| Navy Museum at La Spezia/Italy |
Sun 3/9 - Viareggio/Italy, 41m - so far 1347m
Chucked it down for most of the night, but by 11am it was glorious with full sun.
I’m told they needed this rain, not had any noticable rain for months, then we arrive and the heavens open.
Onto Camping Italia today (ACSI taken) in Torre del Lago Puccini (Puccini’s birthplace) which is approx 5k from the coastal resort of Viareggio. Had a look at Camping Europa first, but not a patch on this place. WiFi is €6 for 3hrs
Tue 4/9 - Viareggio/Italy - 2nd day
Trip out to Torre Del Lago on the Scooter to see Puccini’s house - it was closed of course, we always seem to arrive after 1pm when Italy shuts for siesta.
Later we joined the passageata on Viareggios wide and traffic free prom.
Full of 1920s art nouveau buildings and lots of cinema’s. I even found a huge bookstore (so the Italians do read), Fifty Shades of Gray featured prominently.
Full of 1920s art nouveau buildings and lots of cinema’s. I even found a huge bookstore (so the Italians do read), Fifty Shades of Gray featured prominently.
Wed 5/9 Lucca/Italy - 18m today /1366 total
First went to Pisa for the afternoon. Took the usual “look at me holding the tower up” pics and had coffee and snack overlooking the the Duomo and Baptistry. Very pleasant area if overrun by tourists (mainly young ones).
Onto Lucca and tried free overnight car park first but had a big fair on it. Stopped at Sosta Il Serchio nearby - €20 and free WiFi. Nice quiet spot though pitches very small and bigger rigs stick out - still had to remove bike trailer. Friendly Dutch neighbours next door who like many were fascinated by the Scooter trailer. Had a French guy in PIsa yesterday taking pics.
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| Pisa |
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| Pisa |
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| OK, we had to do this pic !!! |
Thur 6/9 - Lucca/Italy
2nd day at Lucca and Camping I’ll Serchio.
Went for a good walk along the walls and through the town and had lunch in the Piazza Cittadell, at the aptly named Madame Butterfly as it was next to Puccini’s birthplace.
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| Camp I'll Serchio in Lucca - evening G&T |
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| It's getting hot. Sue under the AirCon |
Fri 7/9 - Florence/Italy, 62m today -1429m total
To Florence Camping Michelangelo and a whopping €40 but in a great location set amongst olive trees and overlooking Florence. Easy to get into the city on the bike and scooter.
Site on a slope and although we were fairly level all the facilities were at the top of a very steep road. Had a good mooch around the city and drinks in the Piazza overloooking the Duomo, watching the huge number of Americans and Japanese getting thier culture fix. Most seemed very young - or is it just me getting old !!
Dinner was in the Campsite restaurant in a cracking spot overlooking Florence as the sun went down. Pizza and Chianti - of course.
Piazza Michelangelo is on a hillside next to the campsite and a popular spot for veiwing the city, it is also a gatherig place for the Florentine young who party there till well after 4am, so something of a disturbed night.
Bless their high spirited cotton socks !!!
Bless their high spirited cotton socks !!!
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| The river Arno toward the Ponte Vecchio |
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| Susan and David |
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| View from the Piazza Michelangelo overlooking Florence |
Sat 8/9 - San Gimignano/Italy 34m today - 1463 so far
Took the bike into Florence early this morning for a good nosey around. What a great way to get around on a beautiful sunny morning. Couldn’t believe the huge queues at all of the major galleries and sites well before they were due to open.
Away by 1pm for a short drive south heading for San Gimignano down the appallingly bad SS2. Stopped just outside San Gimignano to investigate a worrying noise coming from the trailer. Turns we are missing an important bolt the secures the curved bar that goes over the scooter seat. Must have been dislodged by all the excessive rattling and shaking. Luckily I have a padlock that will do the job for now. Not a great design as it was only held on with a spring clip.
Tonight at a Free tolerated Parking Area just outside the town although we were first ‘rounded up’ by a guy on a scooter wearing a hi-viz jacket jacket who took us to his campsite. Bit like they do sometimes at concert car parks back home.
San Gimignano is lovely town, famous for its tall square buildings - but oh so packed during the day. Dined later at the Peruca restaurant and had some of the tastiest food we have ever experienced: I had ravioli with pears and saffron cream and Sue tender strips of grilled steak on rocket - delicious !! Then drinks in the square listening to a very pleasant violinist. We like San Gimignano, especially at night once the temp has dropped (40c earlier) and the crowds have gone.
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| Anthony Gormley 'art' perched on top of one of the San Gimiginano towers |
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| San Gimiginano from our overnight |
Sun 9/9 - Monteriggioni/Italy 18m today (1479 so far)
Monteriggioni is a compact sleepy medieval hilltop town completely encircled by high walls. Could overnight for €5.00 in the large car park under the walls. Lots of other MHomes parked for the night and met up with Dennis and Penny from Oz who keep a UK registered MH in Preston and were currrently meandering to Turkey. Went for drinks with them in the piazza later, lovely temperature and a great time to chill once all the hordes of tourists have gone. Chianti Classico for me Prosecco for the others.
Mon 10/9 - Siena (Sovicille) 18m today (1497 so far)
to Camping La Montagnola (ACSI €16) in Sovicille which is approx 7m from Siena.
Nice campsite set in wooded area. Caught up on WiFi and Laundry then into Sienna on the bus. Headed for the main square ‘Piazza Del Campo’ for MrsBs birthday meal and to watch the world go by, but alas the food was pretty average and the service slow. These restaurants/bars that overlook busy squares I think are best for drinks only. Headed up a very steep street to look at the Duomo, as Cathedrals go this one was quite spectacular, built out of Black and White marble and meant to be the biggest in Christendom but further building was abandoned when the plaque hit. Wonderful building none the less.
Getting the bus home was an ordeal, it was 30m late, he drove like a maniac and didn’t take us to the terminus at the campsite. MrB had to walk the rest of the way back along pitch dark paths and and roads. Thankfully the nice receptionist lady went back and pick Sue up from the village, who was sat all alone on a bench.
Weather continues to be glorious, 35-40c most days occasional distant thunder in the afternoon as the day heats up just to remind us that there is always a chance of heavy rain.
Mon 11/9 - Siena (Sovicille) day 2
Chilling and chores day. Took the Scooter out for a spin and food shop and what an absolute joy riding along the quiet meandering Tuscan countryside in glorious sunshine - wonderful !!
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| Siena Duomo |
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| Susie outside the Duomo. Marble everywhere |
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| Siena Duomo - Impressive detail |
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| Siena - Mr B at the Pizza del Campo |
Wed 12/9 - Montepulciano 47m today, 1544 total
Easy morning sunbathing and reading then away by around 1pm heading to Montepulciano.
Parked up at the Sosta (€10 and I think the only sucker who paid) which was just a huge car park next to the town. Montepulciano is a lovely old renaissance town perched high up with great views of the Tuscan and Umbrian hills and the vineyards that produce the wonderful Vino Nobile wine that this area is famous for.
Lousy nights kip at this place, first the local youths seem to think this car park is a race track for scooters, then it chucked it down for most of the night then.
Couldn’t figure our why most Motorhomes came, used the water and waste facilities and then buggered off - until 6.30am that is when all around us trucks and stalls started setting up. Thursday is Market day !! Had to load up the Scooter and make a quick escape - what a palavar !!
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| Looking down from Montepulciano |
