Big day today, 300 miles north through Umbria and Tuscany to Maranello.
We take a few pics outside our hotel, close to the Basilica, in the middle of a main road. The local Police are very relaxed, but this could change.
Rome traffic, even going out of town against the rush hour, is absolutely manic. Some simple rules must be followed.
1/ Ignore all other road users.
2/ If your nose is in front go wherever you want
3/ Under no circumstances indicate
4/ When in the wrong (i.e. always) refer back to rule 1 with distain
Have coffee stop at a one-donkey small town called ’30 mile’. It’s located on the Mille Miglia route 30 miles from Rome. One day a year these folks shine, however when we arrived it was not that day.
It is HOT.......................33C in an open top car............................................
James and Ralph announce they have just about mastered the air con controls......
We drove on to a cute little medieval walled town called Viterbo. The route took us into the centre of town down smaller and smaller roads. The sort of roads that are really tiny, narrow cobbled walking streets. I went round one corner that was only just big enough for the Tiv. No – hang on, it was way (way!) too narrow for the Tiv. On either side were steps for houses, posts and other solid and unforgiving nonsense to catch out the unwary automotive traveler. I knew we were in major trouble so stopped my car to rush back and warn the others just as the red Ferrari nose appeared round the corner. ‘Nooooooooooooooooo’, how on earth are we going to back out of this mess? Team Ferrari slowly pulled round, caught the bottom of their front bumper on a low step and appeared triumphant. Phew. Then, the Maserati appeared. ‘Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo’, how on earth are they going to back out of this mess? James adopted a steely glint, took a couple of adjustments (also catching the low step) and came round the corner similarly triumphant. Now we are in major, major trouble. No way can we back out!
We crawled along a bit further. The road (i.e. narrow path) was a challenge of the highest order. The Tiv and Ferrari go down one bit that could have passed for a narrow alley. A wise local steps forward and with a shrug wags his finger at the Maserati and points to a different (slightly wider) route.
Luckily, we all meet at a small (I mean tinky winky tiny) square. What do we do now? The GPS is confused with the one way streets and we have no clue how to get out. Down one alley we see sunlight and after some jiggery pokery get all the cars to a slightly bigger square with an enormous church. Unfortunately, the only exit was the way we came in. ‘Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo’. The chaps scatter to find a way out. Hope was staring to fade when a Nun came out of the church and jumped into her Fiat. She MUST know a way out. ‘Follow that Nun’ was the order and sure enough she leads us slowly but surely out of Viterbo. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!
After escaping Viterbo we drive on into Tuscany and some amazing scenery and roads. Eat Wild Boar (with spaghetti) in Pienza and continue north. The roads are smooth, windy, with great views and great fun is had by all.
Eventually arrive in Maranello about 630PM very tired. Quick run round the Ferrari factory and arrive at hotel right buy the Ferrari factory gates. Beers are drunk (dehydration is a bad thing!). So far we have arrived at each hotel and drunk them out of beer. Last night (in Rome) was the first time we failed!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of beer and giggles in Maranello.
Paul’s bed has a bit missing, one of the slats has been removed and so he sits at an unusual angle that does not look entirely comfortable. We surmise that a previous room occupant was building a tunnel from our 3rd floor room into the Ferraro factory (that we can see for our window) to find out what goes on behind the closed doors. What other explanation could there be?
We re-group after industrial strength showers (at least in my case this was a dire necessary –long hot day glowing (sweating) in the sun………..) and eat in the Ristorant Cavallino. This place, as I am sure you all know, is the favored eaterie of the Ferrari senior folk and race team. Unfortunately, on this occasion we were the only ones in. Lots of interesting Ferrari memorabilia on the walls to keep us amused.
Too much healthy Italian food and restorative beers/bottles of wine allowed us to return to our hotel in a merry state. Just as a driving team from Poznan (Poland) arrive. One big Mercedes CLS, one yellow Ferrari 360 and one Audi R8. These chaps are from Poland, how do they make their cash? ‘I run a data centre’ was not totally convincing but they were good blokes having a great time.
NOTD? Well it was me I’m afraid. Two things; ‘What’s the Italian for Lothario?’ (I can’t explain this now) and leaving the key in the Tiv.
NOTD for tomorrow? Leo for trying to start the Ferrari in gear and kangarooing down the road. ‘I didn’t do that’ was a poor excuse that didn’t even get to the race stewards.
Off to bed, very tired.
Cheers
Peter
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