Camaiore

After a night of rain, the weather seemed a little more settled, as we ate our breakfast. A Dutchman parked near us, is giving Marge the eye. The Marge we know and love, likes that kind of attention. John says, 'she's not for sale'. I reply, 'she might have been this time last week!'.

It's Saturday today, and the toll road is full of Italians, all thinking they are driving race cars. Soon we are passing through the port city of Genoa, besides acres and acres of containers stacked high, we could see the cruise ships. several decks high, a huge block of glass, like icebergs. The houses and apartments, a mix of yellow, green and terracotta, stacked up the hillside, claiming every available space. Much of today's drive was in semi-darkness, as we drove through tunnel after tunnel through the mountains, some over a mile long. As we left chaos of the city, the road rolled through the lush green countryside, where we crossed into the region of Tuscany.

We could see to our left, the bright white, of the marble being quarried on the mountainside. Above, the cloud hung in the folds and crevices of the steep slopes above.

Tonight's aire is in the town of Camaiore, near Livorno. The hills surround us, and from time to time their peaks disappear into the moving clouds. This afternoon, we took our usual walk out, despite the rain. Donned with our umbrellas, we enjoyed looking at the church, passing the flower seller opposite the cemetery, doing a strong trade.

The church was lovely, inside, the roof a simple wooden design, in contrast to the one yesterday, so ornately decorated. In the narrow streets, despite the weather, the town was busy.

We were not deterred by the rain, likening it to the lake district, which from our photographs, anyone who knows the lakes will recognise.

(Yes, that is a 10 metre long model of a Saturn 5 rocket outside the town hall?)

Passing by the shops, we were impressed by the way the customers lent their umbrellas outside, even at the supermarket, where we stocked up on more fruit and vegetables. The bargain of the day, two medium sized aubergines for 0.59 euro. We will use one of these in tonight's vegetable curry.

As we walked back to the van, the rain had ceased, and the sun was reappearing, warming our faces. Back at Marge, her side door open to enjoy the warmer weather, John took a walk across the aire, to talk to a couple from North Wales. We have only had contact with four couples from the U.K. since arriving in Europe, and that briefly. On returning from talking to them, the man who owns the van next to us, and appears to be living in it, arrives in his Piaggio. These vehicle are common in this country, and whilst in the town, we saw quite a few of them parked in front of a bar.

Tomorrow we will head towards Pisa.

Finally for any lovers of steel framed bicycles, this must have been a real top end bike with it's beautiful chromed lug work, they don't make them like this anymore....

Note if you want to use any of the photos for any purpose please do so, but put a link to: https://www.muddymarge.com