Into Italy and onto Rome

Wednesday 27th January, 1982                fine and overcast.

Hello, Italy.  Here we come.  

At last we are psyched up enough to cross the frontier into Italy.  Firstly we went looking for showers, but they wouldn't let us have one down at the Marina.  So we said "Fare thee well France - you are up to your usual style".

We didn't really find the French Nationals extremely friendly and co-operative.  Sean enjoyed their cheeses, we like the baguettes and the weather was kind.

At the border, the Italian guard was very nice - no trouble - had to ask for a stamp on our visas.  Then off into Ventimiglia.  We couldn't find a Park so on to Bordighera, where we changed our money - one dollar equals 1360 lire - very interesting!

On then through San Remo -a holiday resort.  Filled with geriatrics in fur coats and male overcoats straight from Pierre Cardin.  Stopped for lunch, then on to "camping Rosa" at the Diano Marina.

From Mentone to here gardens abound with flowers.  It is the flower centre of the Italian Riviera -very beautiful with the coastline.  Have spent two hours washing out clothes as we haven't had the machine since Perpignan!  Yes!

Is raining and windy so we snuggle down to a good sleep.  John off to explore town.

Thursday 28th January, 1982                   cold and windy.

Promise of a nice day.  Up after a good night’s sleep, despite the booming of the town clock - the wind and the trains passing by.  Sean, Rae and I went up to the village of Diano Marina whilst Sandra cleaned the van.  Brought the clown doll I have wanted since seeing them in Germany - cost 11,800 lire.  About $8.75 Australian.

San Remo, Italy

We did some shopping, had fun, first Italian confrontation with us foreigners.  Had a funny experience on Bridge along the coast, men repairing road - one lane open - but 2 go lights, so traffic had to back and let us through.

Along the coast to Alessio where we found a beaut restaurant to have our first Italian pizza lunch.  "La Forcia", where we had anti-pasta of unknown quality - t’was a grand octopus -Sandra's choice.  We all had a four seasons pizza - beautiful and cappuccino coffee, bread sticks and bread - cost 52,000 lire, including a bottle of wine and mineral water.

Spent ages in there eating and talking - we were ready for siesta when we emerged.  The kids lay down on double bed and had a sleep, whilst we continued on through Varigotti, Varazzie to Pegli outside of Genoa.  On leaving, the promenade we ran into trouble with traffic and all these people started to guide us through.  We have found the people very nice to date.

Had fun buying cheese at an Alimeintatia - wanted her un quatro - couldn't get through.  100 g = C’etto - a lesson learned!

We are settled in the camp, which was difficult to reach.  It was up this narrow one-way street.  "Villa Doria camping Pegli." 

Friday 29th January, 1982           fine and cool.

Left Genoa after driving through Pegli - a huge suburb of Genoa - John drove along the port.  Genoa is the biggest port in Italy.  We saw all these ships lined up along the coastline - up on to the coast road.  All the men in the cities look straight out of the "untouchables" with their fur collared overcoats and gloves.

We were low on petrol, so we pulled up at a self service station, and you had to put a 1,000 lire note in or a 500 lire note.  We stopped at Rapallo to buy a little food and eat.  We nearly died, as when we rounded the corner on to the promenade to look for a Park, the promenade was covered with old people - they were everywhere.  Just strolling in their fur coats.  Needless to say we couldn't find a park.  So headed out a little and parked on the side of the road.

After lunch we were off again on the Autopista to Carrara.  It costs 4000 lire.  Carrara is a marvellous town.  Great pieces line the side of the road and up the mountains you can see beneath the snow topped mountains.  The white sides glistened in the sunlight.  

We drove around and then off to Massa to park but to no avail.  Massa Rossa was miles away, so we drove towards the coast to find a camp.  Only one at $16, so we decided to free park - had tea in a deserted service station then decided to drive into Pisa 8 km away.  The leaning Tower and its churches look terrific in the moonlight.  We camped and will be up early to view it in the morning.

We found a supermarket at Massa, so as we haven't found a super since France.  We were excited - I picked up a piece of pottery and down came the pile.  Oh boy, how embarrassing -we filled up the larder so cheap - cost us $28, and we bought wine, chicken, yoghurt, cheese, and so much more.

Saturday 30th January, 1982

Happy birthday Billy, Matthew and Luke.

Sean just came in from buying some wrapping paper; he received 1000 lire, 50 lire, 10 lire and the lolly in change.  Up earlier than usual because we were in a one-way street back to front so that John could drive to park  near the “Piazza del Miracoli” so we can see the Leaning Tower first thing.  We had breakfast in the car park, then whilst Nan sat on the Porta Potti and stunk us out we went and looked at some souvenir shops.  (This red part was written by Sean or Rachelle).  That isn't exactly what I was going to write, but it's the truth in a kind of sort of way.

John, Sean, Rae and I walked around to see it and it is incredible.  Can't believe I am actually seeing the Tower.  It is the second wonder of the world, I have seen.  Set in a scene with the Cathedral, Baptistery and Camposanto so beautifully set off in a lawn setting.

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

The Cathedral was begun in 1064, the leaning Tower begun in 1174 and finished 99 years later.  It is 55.863 m high - eight floors and 294 steps.  Foundations 3 m deep, and it is leaning 4-5 m. it leans 1 mm every year.

On top is the Bell tower, built straight and baptistery was built in 1152 and finished 300 years later, and Camposanto begun in 1277.  We spent quite some time there - Rae, Sean and John made it to the Bell tower.  But I resigned at the seventh floor.  Wonderful views of the city of Pisa.

On the way we stopped at a small place to post some mail.  Well, did I have fun - they didn't have any stamps to fit the letter.  So had to put on very small denominations - covered the letters, then came the cards - well one hour later I was out.  They were very helpful, though.

Stopped at Ponti i Egola for lunch in the park.  Found some potable water, and we filled jugs, bottles etc.  We are an enigma on this road - everyone looks and waves.  Arrived in Florence and are settled in camping Socio, about 15 minutes by bus.  Washed clothes etc.  Sandra and John have gone into town to view situation.  They have just arrived back with great stories of buying.  Sandra brought a pair of suede shoes 19,000 lire about $14, lovely tapestry 40,000 lire.

Sunday 31st January, 1982                       fine but cold.

Up leisurely and into town by bus to view Florence.  No one wants to take your bus fare in Florence.  We walked to the "Piazza del Duomo” to see the lovely Cathedral, built in 1290.  It is really beautiful - the carvings on doors and outside walls are terrific.  

Florence, Italy

Beside the Bell tower stands majestically.  The Cathedral, baptistery and Grottoes and Bell tower are all complementary of each other.  We went to mass - singing - only half an hour.  Very nice.  I brought a book which has the Duomo and all buildings of Florence - left the Piazza del Duomo and walked to Piazza della Signorina, where we saw a copy of Michelangelo's David plus many other famous sculptures.  We visited Palazzo Vecchio where many great paintings hang, Botticelli's and Michelangelo’s among them.

Then back to have lunch at a self-service - not terribly impressive - the chicken was nice, but all else?  Costs 7000 lire for me.  Then we walked down side streets, found a nice shop and bought the famous Florence ice cream - lucky it's not everywhere we would all put on weight -found Piazza Santa Croce, and then decided to head for the camp. 

Rialto Bridge, Florence, Italy

We left John in town and caught the bus home.  We are all tired and uptight at the moment.  Sandra isn't enjoying Italy, but usually it takes a while to settle down in a new country.  Into Rome tomorrow and mail.  That will brighten us up.  We haven't seen sunshine since we left the coast.

Have had pain in chest lately - acute indigestion?

 

Ventimiglia to Rome, Italy