Cash's Holiday

Thursday 17th Hi, Time allows to do this back to back post…..what a treat. You wouldn’t believe how our day started…..Dark sky and thunder rolling around….rain…. not heavy, just annoying. As mentioned in last blog, the plans today were to see the strip of coastline renowned for its terraced hillsides and 5 picturesque villages, called `Cinque Terre’ which is world heritage listed ….. located just north of La Spezia.

Our weather down south was perfect……driving north,- could see it deteriorating. Heard about the flooding in France…..(made pre-booked accommodation checks as our planned path comes very close to the stricken area as we head up to Calais to return the car.) What an awful situation for those affected.

It did cross my mind that cancelling our day was a serious option…..but miracles do happen…..the sky was so dark to begin with, gloomy….not exactly good photo taking weather….only here for one day….got to make the most of it….. So raincoats, umbrella’s in tow, caught the train that runs at regular intervals, enabling visitors to get off and on, option being to walk the pathways that wind between the villages or stay on till the train stops at each station, then wander round. By 11.ooam the sun was out and the only disappointment was….only one pathway was open due to risk of rock fall. The area is so unique, villages so pretty…..well worth a visit. Hope the few photo’s do it justice.

We say goodbye to Italy tomorrow…..it’s been so good, Jules Italian was by far the best, she saved the day many times. The things that stand out are the narrow roads that our GPS `Esmeralda’ insisted to be the best option….only twice had to stop, wind the window down and flick the side mirrors inward to avoid the risk of scratching `Pepe’ Peugeot. The warmth of the Italians we met. The flagons of delicious local red wine. “Ciao Ciao” Italy. (:) G ……ps Having trouble with photo edits…they will have to wait.