Just as we went to bed last night, a thunderstorm rolled in from the nearby hills, the lightening illuminating our bed, through the glass sunroof. But luckily, it did not last long and soon moved on.
Around midday we left Pisa, a city we found had a different feel, a little bit like Salisbury in Wiltshire. Compared to many other cities, it was clean, relaxed, busy, but not chaotic, interesting at every turn, and no grafitti!
Our drive today, was along main roads, the terrain relatively flat, but with the mountains still visible. As Marge bowled along, the scenery was green, and the buildings typically Tuscan. We wanted to stop and take a photograph of the beautiful Tuscan farmhouses, but the road layout just wouldn't allow us. The quality of the roads, a little like England, more potholes, but not as deep, so for Marge it felt like driving off road. Italian roads are one thing, Italian driving another. The use of driving whilst operating your mobile phone seems O.K here. We even saw a bus driver using hers whilst driving. Before we left England, we were told, and read some articles on the internet about Italian drivers. Well it's their country, so if they think they should have priority from the right, let them, if they want to park with their vehicle projecting into the road, that's O.K. No indicating fine. The horror stories of bumper cars, are so far unfounded. Our take is, just drive carefully, and keep an eye on everyone. The Italians, may like to drive fast, but they are very patient drivers, if they have to wait behind you, before a chance to overtake, they don't mind. Unlike the French! So far in Italy, Marge has had two lorry drivers sound their horns at her, both on the toll road, purely because of impatience, one was Romanian, and the other Lativian. Yes, Marge, we know what you thought about them!
A fisherman repairing his nets.
On route to tonight's aire, we stopped at the coastal town of San Vincenzo, and took a walk along the newly built walkway, to see the twenty metre tall, bronze status of 'Il Marino', 'The Sailor'. Along the way, we stopped to read the 'Sailors Poem'. The warm breeze, and the sun sparkling on the aqua marine water, left us in no doubt we were by the Mediterranean sea.
Tonight's aire, is adjacent to the Campiglia Spa, with beautiful stone buildings, and a huge natural swimming pool. At the entrance to the spa is a small chapel. Climbing the stone steps, to view inside it, we could smell the scent of the bougainvillea. From the spa bar, jazz music, floated in the air. Close by, through the trees,we can just glimpse the medieval village of Campiglia Marittima.
Tomorrow, we will drive further down the coast. We know we have missed some sights on the way down, but plan to visit some of them on our return journey.
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