We awake after a little lie in at our spa resort retreat in Brescia.
Team Ferrari depart, they are heading off to do the Davos to Stevlio pass (the best road in the world ever) and then drive home.
On my way into the hotel last night I caught the Tiv exhaust on a nasty metal lip. It was the biggest graunch of the trip and the car now sounds a bit off.
On the way out over the lip I ask Paul to walk to minimize possible damage, no graunch! He must be the tipping point…………..
Teams TVR, Porsche and Maserati struggle through busy Brescia rush hour traffic to the Mille Miglia Museum. The museum car park entrance is being re-surfaced and so we had to complete a short rally stage to get in, all is well. Paul shot straight into the shop to buy some stickers but the girlies were none too pleased with him being the wrong side of the counter. He nearly gets asked to leave….
The museum was surprisingly interesting with some great stories of past events, daring do and glories.
We noted that Stirling Moss (clearly the greatest winner of the Mille Miglia) was only mentioned a couple of times where as every Italian driver that ever took part had wall plaques, posters and even some video. Not to worry, we know S Moss is the best. He completed the whole route in 10hrs 7mins 42secs at an average of 92.4mph, it took us 4 days. We think that we could shave a few mins off if we go round again.
Every year the Mille Miglia route changes, all differing roads plus some years it goes clockwise and others anti-clockwise. Which is the right way to go? A minor squabble does not get resolved.
We had a coffee at the most inefficient coffee shop in the world. 6 coffees really confused the poor chap behind the counter.
Set off to Lake Gardia which is extremely pretty. Could be ideal as a combined trip to Verona for fortunate and lucky young ladies.
Our team Catering Manager (Ralph) locates a fabulous restaurant in Roina on Lake Guarda. It was the best meal of the week (apologies Team Ferrari). Dom says the lemon Sea Bass (not ill-tempered or evil) is to die for.
At the next stop Ralph announces that although the meal was superb it has given him wind. James is surprising unperturbed and gives thanks to the highly efficient air filtration system in the Maserati. I may need to test this out on a Saturday morning after a rim-burner from my local India restaurant called the Mysore.
Carry on with a short special stage into the hills around Lake Guarda and finally arrive in Bolzano to catch the DB Autozug train. This train will take us overnight to Dusseldorf (400miles) so we should be home Friday eve. Cars loaded safely on the train and we retire to a bar to await departure.
All looking forward to an early night in the comfort of the DB Autozug. How many can we get in one bunk bed??? Let’s hope there are lot’s of distractions in the bar before we have a hearty German breakfast and arrival in Dusseldorf at exactly 8.40 at the Haptbahnhof. Fast track to blighty let’s see shall we?
We have just gone over 2,000 miles ……………..
Just as I am writing the blog my mobile goes, it’s the current Mrs H who, after an initial preamble, confesses that she may have been flashed by a speed camera whilst in my car…….
We board the DB Autozug and enter a whole new world.
We have three twin cabins which are not big enough for chaps as comfortable and mature as us.
Our car attendant arrives (i.e. squeezes past). ‘What’s your name I say’ trying to generate a good impression. My name is ‘F**k*d’ he says (no, really - honest!), but you can call me Frank. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only option is to head for the bar/restaurant car. Paul gets there first to baggsie a table. On my long walk to the bar/restaurant car (at least 100m) I passed lots of tiny cabins. Each was occupied by couples opening their picnic. The signs were not good.
The bar/restaurant car had a fine bode of fare but the first round of beers were warm. The red wine ‘passable’ (it got better the more you drank), and the food interesting. We ate sparingly and were surprised to see the bar/restaurant car lightly attended.
Key clientele were Ernst Blofeld, Ms P Galore and an angry assassin with steel teeth…….
After they had gone to ‘bed’ the bar/restaurant car staff opened the good stuff and had a party without asking us. We believe that one was a ‘Hof’ stalker, the rest just plain weird. Help!!!!!!
Although it was uncomfortable, slow service and poor food/beer we laughed more than any time this week. At one point I thought James was going to explode. The ‘adult TV channel failure’, ‘heavy water’ and ‘Germans make good bread’ moments were priceless.
Before retiring for the evening I went to complete my toilet, only to find that the tiny room allocated was totally and utterly unfeasible. One can only be concerned how a locally grown DB Autozug regular can be expected to squeeze in to squeeze out.
Am writing this blog in ‘bed’ with a none-too gentle rocking/vibration/annoying noise and muted talk from the cabin next door. Paul has the upper bunk and is snoring already.
Dusseldorf here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It really does not get much better than this…………………………………………
The adventure never stops.
Cheers
Peter
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