The ferry arrived late into Ancona and disgorging all the cars took an age. We were also held up by a huge traffic jam as the road leading o the autostrada was closed. Not a good start on a day when we needed to get across Italy to Viarreggio. It was also raining. There had been discussions amongst the navigator's all morning about which route to take. We, as a non racing car wanted the quickest and easiest, as did many others. Mattea, our Italian companion, suggested a way to me which seemed a god compromise. We traversed across the country, hardly seeing anything in the rain and general gloom. The Siena ring road is not too thrilling but, despite the delights within, it was all we saw of this beautiful city. Gorgeous Chianti passed in a similar vein. There is just no time to see anything in our push to Paris.
We arrived in Viareggio in the dark. It looked lovely, from what we could see. We left in the dark this morning too. Alex's sister, Caroline, who lives in Rome had come up to see him along with a friend from Florence. Dom and Alex invited a few of us to dinner at the neighbourhood trattoria that Caroline had booked. We would never have known about it and it was fantastic. It was the best food we had had on the rally. A lovely evening.
Today has been a little strange. It wasn't raining. It has rained solidly since Iran which is especially hard on the roofless crews. As it got light the view of the coastline was stunning. Te sea was sparkling and tantalisingly close. But, as ever, no side trip was possible. As we climbed up towards the Alps it became even more breathtaking. We opted for the easier route and went through the Frejus tunnel. This is 14 kms long and claustrophobic. You enter in Italy and emerge in France The rally route was over the passes. I would have loved to have done this but we have a radiator leak and overheating is a problem. We are just nursing the car to Paris. we still had lovely views and had the added benefit of a last lunch in Italy. We sat outside in a sunny square with Vivianne and Marco from Luxembourg and enjoyed the break.
A few kms from Aix-les-Bains we had yet another puncture. Not such a good thing on the peage Adrian had just found the warning triangle when a recovery truck arrived, safely shielded us from the traffic and changed the wheel for no charge. More kindness. We are staying in a very faded hotel in the centre.
The cars are all parked outside the Marie and causing quite a stir. Tomorrow we head to Troyes our last night before Paris.I can't quite believe it.
We arrived in Viareggio in the dark. It looked lovely, from what we could see. We left in the dark this morning too. Alex's sister, Caroline, who lives in Rome had come up to see him along with a friend from Florence. Dom and Alex invited a few of us to dinner at the neighbourhood trattoria that Caroline had booked. We would never have known about it and it was fantastic. It was the best food we had had on the rally. A lovely evening.
Today has been a little strange. It wasn't raining. It has rained solidly since Iran which is especially hard on the roofless crews. As it got light the view of the coastline was stunning. Te sea was sparkling and tantalisingly close. But, as ever, no side trip was possible. As we climbed up towards the Alps it became even more breathtaking. We opted for the easier route and went through the Frejus tunnel. This is 14 kms long and claustrophobic. You enter in Italy and emerge in France The rally route was over the passes. I would have loved to have done this but we have a radiator leak and overheating is a problem. We are just nursing the car to Paris. we still had lovely views and had the added benefit of a last lunch in Italy. We sat outside in a sunny square with Vivianne and Marco from Luxembourg and enjoyed the break.
A few kms from Aix-les-Bains we had yet another puncture. Not such a good thing on the peage Adrian had just found the warning triangle when a recovery truck arrived, safely shielded us from the traffic and changed the wheel for no charge. More kindness. We are staying in a very faded hotel in the centre.
The cars are all parked outside the Marie and causing quite a stir. Tomorrow we head to Troyes our last night before Paris.I can't quite believe it.
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