Europe 2023 Part 2

 We left Puget and because of roadworks on the route Napoleon we couldn't get onto the mountain road that usually takes us to Sospel and then by a small mountain road to Dolceaqua so we ended up dicing with the Nice Monaco and Italian crazy people on the motorway! we took the turnoff to Bordighera which saves going through Ventimiglia (always crazy on a Friday due to the Market) We stopped to fill up in Camporosso and had a coffee and something to eat in the cafe at the gas station. The guy who runs the cafe has a BMW GS and remembered us and asked if we fancied going on a memorial run that Sunday, starting at 10.30 from Dolceaqua. We explained we were heading North towards Alba on Sunday but we would stop in for a blether. 

We arrived in Rocchetta to be met by Bruno, we were to stay in the village at one of his houses which was brilliant as it was just down the stair from his Mum Tina  which made it easier to visit her, we spent a great weekend with the family, the usual overeating and some light refreshments. Sunday came too soon and we said our goodbyes and headed to see the local bike club heading off on their run, they tried to persuade us to join them but we had miles to do so after waving them all off we headed back to the highway, First towards Savona then North towards Alba, we got fed up with the crazy driving and headed onto the small roads and got lost! Its funny a GPS each and a Mobile and we still weren't sure where we were.

Obviously we finally found our way (or I would have been writing this in Italy asking for International rescue to come and get us) and headed into Piedmont and the wine growing region where Barollo wine comes from, very tidy and orderly, It was overcast so not great for picture taking unfortunately. Our Hotel was superb (and not expensive ) and had a great view over the Vineyards, a pleasant evening was spent with superb food and superb wine.

Monday arrived and we headed North towards Milan, never a great experience but a bit better that the roadworks that have blighted to route towards Monza (an then Lecco) for years appear to have finished. We eventually saw the lake and soon turned off for Mandello Del Lario, home of Moto Guzzi! We got booked into our hotel and rushed up to the factory for a look round the Mueseum (again) The thunder, lightning and rain started and we sent an hour sheltering in the best possible place before heading back to wards the lakeside to enjoy a beer in a nice pub. All very civilised indeed, part 3 to follow.......

The old home town

Always a constant

Where I played as a kid

Family

Bike Family

Nice Guzzi (allegedly done 300K Km)

New Guzzi

A gold wing on these roads would be a challenge

On your Marks

Go

Then there were only us (and a Honda)

Tea Break

Hamburger and Flies for lunch....

Wine time

Nice view from our Hotel

Moody skies

Mandello alarm clock

Nice place to have a bike factory

This is where it all Happens

Excellent engineering, Turbocharged 250

A 500 cc twin supercharged watercooled motor from 1937

Watercooled v4 1000cc from 1988

Nice

Nice

Really Nice

The Mighty V8

And a copy of it at the roundabout

It had rained

Mist on the Lake

Still pretty

Oh dear, nae swimies

Love this bar

Nice

A wee photo of where our bikes were Born