Saturday ride around

We actually managed to get up early enough to reach our destination at a reasonable time on Saturday, only to find we'd arrived too early. Never mind. We were attending an event in San Prospero sulla Secchia to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the death of Fabrizio Provasi, a young biker from Medolla who lost his life in a biking accident.
There were various stalls and exhibitions of weird and wonderful cars and a few bikes. The main event was an exhibition of the daredevil antics of a trio of motorcycle stunt riders.
The best bit for me however, was a group ride out around the neighbouring villages. We had a police escort and they held up the traffic for us. I could just imagine this in the UK... Not... The other motorists and villagers smiled and some waved. Enough said...









A trip to an amazing local museum had also been arranged. On show over three floors was a vast array of historical farming and industrial equipment. It is owned and curated by two bothers who will open up and show visitors around through prior arrangement.


This brought us roughly up to lunch time and trying to decide where to go and eat. It was a Bank Holiday for Labour Day and unlike in the UK, pretty much everywhere was closed, including the first choice of restaurant on our list. We decided to head over to Fiorano where Claudio knew there was a really nice restaurant. A yummy seafood lunch was eaten and enjoyed.
After lunch, with it being such a lovely day, attention turned to where we'd go next. I remembered that one of my favourite natural attractions was nearby in the shape of Salse di Nirano. In rolling hills and beautiful countryside is a natural park with mini mud volcanoes. There is loads of underground methane in this part of Italy and in places it bubbles to the surface.
After a brief visit, we set off again in the direction of Pavullo to check out a sign pointing to a "Parco Faunistico". We eventually found where it lead to, but Longleat it wasn't... A place to return to by car with a picnic perhaps. It was more of a do-it-yourself nature trail. Running low on petrol, it was time to head home.
It was nice just riding around in the sun for a change and looking for places to return to at a later date.

Verona via Concordia

The usual weekend scenario was unfolding. Saturday was wet and miserable, and Sunday initially looked uncertain. Still, we'd decided to join a bike meeting in Concordia, so after breakfast we headed north to see what it was all about. It was pleasantly warm, and only a few minutes into our journey, we were already riding out of the gloom and into the blue. Ahead of us was a beautiful clear sky and the sun was shining. The roads were really quiet due to it being a national holiday; Liberation Day. We arrived at Concordia too late to register for the various events taking place but enjoyed looking at all the bikes and watching them take off for a trip around the town.



The noise was incredible and I could just imagine my mum saying, "I can't be doing with all this noise!" Still, two biker nuns were interested, leaning out of an upstairs window opposite to where we were standing! One of the highlights was seeing a couple on their bike complete with small dog in harness. That was just too cute!


After all this excitement we vowed that we'd definitely arrive early enough to register for the next event, and decided to head off up to Verona to be tourists for the afternoon. The journey up was fantastic, riding through lovely countryside and pretty villages. One village had three houses with red washing on the line. I don't know whether this was a political statement, being Liberation Day and all, or if they all work at the same local factory with an interesting dress code! A highlight of the journey was riding over the Po. What a magnificent river, what a fabulous view. The bridge was pretty nice, too.
We got to Verona at lunch time and found somewhere simple to eat. We followed this up with a delicious fresh fruit salad in one of the squares. Made a change from ice cream.
After a look around and a sit down, we headed back home, stopping at Mattioli's for our traditional ice cream.




km: 223

Festa di Primavera - Mirandola

Early in the week, it looked like the weather was going to be lovely at the weekend. We were promised 22 degrees and dry, sunny weather. Perfect for one trip out, at least! How come then that the closer we got to the weekend, the grimmer the forecast was for the weekend? It's always the same. Sunny and dry all week, a forecast for a good weekend, and when the weekend arrives, it's dull at best, mostly tipping it down at worst. The Italian meteorological office is utterly hopeless.
So it was then that we set out with some trepidation on Sunday, just after lunch. The idea was that we would meet up with a biker group in Quistello. When we arrived, the place was deserted though, so who knows what happened there... Never mind, we'd been tipped off about the "Festa dei Fiore" in Mirandola, not far away, so we decided to head off there. Fortunately the sky had cleared somewhat and it was pleasantly warm and sunny.
Arriving in Mirandola, it was obvious something was going on. We parked up and went for a coffee to wait and see what was unfolding, having seen a few people dressed in Medieval costume and carnival masks. Flowers, it wasn't but it looked interesting nevertheless. The street was buzzing with anticipation with people looking up the road, obviously waiting for something to appear. We took our place at the side of the road and waited. We were in fact witnessing the "Festa di Primavera" or Spring fair and a parade was underway with people dressed in array of different costumes, representing different social and cultural local groups. Two surprises were groups from Peru and Bolivia... It was all very colourful and noisy. In fact when it got too noisy, with floats blaring out disco music, we decided to head off homewards, stopping for an ice cream at Mattioli's in Modena on the way!

First bike trip abroad

Easter weekend promised a bit of a mixed bag of weather, but Saturday looked the better day. We therefore decided a trip was in order. We'd thought about heading up to the top end of Lake Garda, but actually the weather to the north of us wasn't as settled, so we decided on a trip south-east to the Republic of San Marino. Abroad, in effect! It's pretty much straight down the Via Emilia to Rimini, then head off inland south-west. We don't like to use the motorway because it's boring and I find myself nodding off.

The trip down took us through some lovely scenery with all the fruit trees coming into blossom, and everything turning green at long last. The few swallows we saw told us also that summer wasn't far away.

On the way we passed through Imola, home of the erstwhile, ill-fated San Marino Grand Prix. At a distance of around 100km, I was wondering if Michael O'Leary (Ryanair CEO) had a say in the naming of the race... We saw quite a few bikers on the way but none funnier than the beefy biker we saw in Imola with his rear end hanging out of his too small jeans. Must have been chilly that, but at least we had somewhere to park the bike. Ewww!! Still, onwards and upwards towards the lofty heights of the Republic.

San Marino, or more accurately, The Most Serene Republic of San Marino (Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino) is an enclave in Italy, on the border between the regions of Emilia Romagna and Marche. Its topography is dominated by the Apennine mountain range, giving it a somewhat rugged terrain. The highest point in the country, the summit of Monte Titano, is situated at 749 m (2,457 ft) above sea level. With an area occupying just over 61km2 (24 sq miles) San Marino is the third smallest country in Europe, with only Vatican City and Monaco being smaller.

We parked up the bike and set off to have a look around the main town. You have to have strong legs around these parts since all the streets are perched on the top of a hill. A lot of the shops were a bit tacky and touristy, but the most outstanding thing was the number of shops selling fake firearms. I'm talking fake Lugers, AK47s, revolvers, you name it. It was horrendous. Alongside that lot you could also buy all manner of knives and swords, camouflage gear, in fact anything the budding terrorist or bank robber could wish for. All of this in the name of "liberty". You see, San Marino likes to call itself "The Land of the Free". Hmm... reminds me of somewhere else that also calls itself the land of the free and has a fondness for guns, but I digress...

We had a rather mediocre lunch on the Palazzo Pubblico. From here we could see the green and red clad Guard of the Rocks. In their role as Fortress Guards they are responsible for guarding the Palazzo Pubblico in San Marino City, the seat of national Government. They are also a front-line military unit in the San Marino armed forces and state border patrol, with responsibility for patrolling borders and defending them.


One of the best things about San Marino is the views you get from the top. Out across the republic and over towards the resorts of Rimini, Cattolica etc., on the east coast.





After another walk around, we decided to head down to Rimini for some bracing sea air before going home. Bracing it was indeed and a bit bleak. Still, it was nice to see the sea.


Homeward bound then. The journey took us about three hours, an hour less than Google Maps had told us it would take. This is with every single set of traffic lights the full length of the Via Emilia being on red. We also don't go that fast, unlike some of the street bikes we saw. One clever dick pulled a wheelie away from the lights with girlfriend clinging on at the back. Must have been nice for her (not), especially since neither of them were wearing any protective gear whatsoever. Off they roared at about 100 miles an hour... Still, we made it home pretty much unscathed despite the best efforts of some of Italy's finest car drivers. So three times "Ma che cazzo fai???!!!" was shouted, with the appropriate hand gestures, and we were home by 7.15pm.

km 360
Beefy biker backsides: 1

10 degrees of separation...

Sunday 28th March was down in the diary as the day to get ourselves over to Reggio Emilia to the annual event organised by C.A.M.E.R. or "Club Auto Moto d'Epoca Reggiano". This is a huge fair where you can go and swap bits of, or whole vintage cars and motorcycles. It covers several pavilions and a vast outdoor space. Being something of a Johnny Cash fan, all I could think of was his song "One Piece at a Time". I swear, if you couldn't find the bit you needed there, you didn't need it. It is the place to go if you are restoring a motorbike or car.
The vintage bikes and cars were amazing, and we even saw a couple of Royal Enfields. As would probably be expected, Vespas had a strong presence. It was generally very interesting, but eventually all the bits got a little tedious, as was carrying our heavy bike jackets, and we had to have a rest for lunch. In a rather pleasant turn up, the weather was really, really hot. At 26 degrees C in the sun, we were sweating in our bike gear, even though I, for once, hadn't dressed like M. Michelin's evil twin sister... After an omelette sandwich and a drink of water we decided to leave the enthusiasts to their bits and pieces and head off.
It was far too nice a day and far too early to go home, so we head off up to Pavullo in the foothills of the Modenese Apennines. It's always a lovely ride up and we always pass loads of bikers. It was a bit quiet up there and some 10 degrees colder than down on the Pianura Padana. After a coffee (well, a rather late in the day cappuccino for Miss Wuss here), we headed back down to the warmth and home.
A lovely taste of rides to come as the days get warmer and longer. I can't wait!

Royal Enfield

We had an interesting trip over to Bologna to visit the Royal Enfield showroom. How lovely to sit on a bike and be able to touch the floor! I wouldn't mind me one of these beasties!

Sunny Sunday, let's head for the coast! (Never mind the snow...)

After much erming and aahing, we decided to head off to the festival of San Giuseppe in Cervia on the Romagnolo east coast. With expectations of a lovely fish lunch, we set off into the gorgeous sunny but chilly morning.
We've had so much snow this winter, but early last week we had the heaviest snowfall not just of this winter, but of many winters, with 50cm falling in little over 24 hours in our area of Modena and nearly a metre in Romagna where we were heading. As we headed towards Bologna, there was still snow lying in the fields, and in spite of the customary many layers, it was a bit chilly up on the back.
Leaving the confines of Bologna, the snow in the fields began to peter out. Interesting, since this was the area that had had more snow. All I can assume was that it was now warmer than around Modena and most of it had melted. There was still evidence of it in the shady bits of fields and the colossal mounds around the edges of service stations. This part of the journey was a bit warmer and was decidedly pleasant as we got nearer to the coast.
We parked up and had a walk before finding somewhere to eat for lunch. The sunny weather and festival had brought in a lot of visitors and restaurants were pretty full. We eventually opted for "La Cambusa", over the road from the lighthouse. We decided to forgo the starter and get straight in with the main course. I opted for a mixed grill of crustaceans, and Claudio went for mixed fried seafood and vegetables. We had this with oven roast potato wedges and grilled vegetables. Completely delicious. I finished off with a yummy mandarin sorbet and Claudio had a coffee.
After lunch we had another walk about and then headed home.
The festival of San Giuseppe largely takes place on the beach and in the evening there are fireworks and a ceremonial bonfire to burn all the sad and old things from the winter. Unfortunately we missed this as we wanted to get home before dark. Nevertheless, we had a great trip out!




km: 300
Buzzards spotted: 4 (one of which was on ground eating something
Grey Herons spotted: 2
Egrets spotted: 2
Grebes spotted: 1
Silly little dogs spotted: Millions. Loads with silly clothes on