We have been re-united! After some major wobbles in my 'relationship' with Tilly, and some impressive assistance from the RAC and a hotel over night stay - we are back together - an event not missed on our friendly camp site hosts who cheered on our return! Apparently the cause of Tilly's unhappiness was an over heated ignition coil - well that's the conclusion we came to after much gesturing between a mechanic who spoke no English and a sibling group who spoke no Italian. Whilst I do regret my poor language abilities I have been pleasantly cheered as to just how far you can get relying on non verbals - the hint of uncertainty that all has been understood as intended adds that further spice to the travelling experience.
After a day spent in Vincenza, a must see for any student of architecture - apparently the neo classical work of Palladio, much in evidence in the city has been hugely influential on European planning - we left our settled base on the shores of Lake Garda and headed south - the Italian Riviera our destination. What a difference a flat road makes to our travels! What we lost in scenic mountain vistas we gained in anxiety free travelling and perhaps the first glimpse of my original 'camper vision'! We had to savour the moment - as the Apennines headed into view the Tilly formula (hills = stress) all too soon kicked back in - all eyes on the oil temperature, judging anxiously the length and gradients of tunnels and frequent road side stops. Fortunately no 'Gottard Tunnel' moments this time and eventually our road headed down hill with a brief stop in La Spezia (v missable we all concluded) and eventual arrival at Levanto on the coast, within walking distance of the Cinque Terre, a national herritage site centred around a group of ancient fishing villages clinging to impossibly steep cliffs. A wonderful days walking between the villages yesterday was a wonderful tonic for an onwards journey to San Remo today, an over night stop before heading onto Provence.
We are now without Jo (great company and a talented mechanic) who left us yesterday for onwards travels. Just hoping Tilly will not protest too much without his careful nurturing!
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Let me know when you get to Provence! If you get a chance to visit La Croix Valmer - that's where I spent every summer from the age of 8 to 25 - such good memories!! Keeping my fingers crossed that Tilly stays sturdy! Lots of love! xx
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