The mountain trail back to Mugello

Saturday 14 July 2012  - Following the mountain trail back to Mugello

Day 92 and 67 to go

Paul woke me early saying it was 8 so we started getting ourselves organised and ready for the drive ahead. He went for a shower while I continued to load thing to the blog. Once he returned I also showered and then came downstairs for breakfast. Paola and Andrea were up. Francesco had already gone. Once down stairs I realised it was earlier than 8. Grrr.

With breakfast done we packed our things said goodbye and were on our way to the van.

We unpacked some of the things we had had in the house and then set the GPS for Mugello. The mountain road was not as quiet as it had been on Wednesday with not only more cars to contend with but also pain in the ass cyclists taking up most of the road. I am sure a few of them had designs on becoming bumper stickers.

We zigged and zagged our way up the mountain with the dark clouds starting to sock in and the breeze picking up. Once over the top we continued the long windy road down the hill. We arrived in one spot and were forced to turn around as a motorcyclist had been collected by a car. It didn’t look good for the rider either.

We made our way around the small streets and over a very narrow bridge in which the van only just fit. Eeeekkkk. We were then back on the road and 15min later we pulled in to the centre for ticket collection. The area was so much busier than when we came through on Wednesday.

With our tickets in hand we drove on a further 5km to Mugello Verde campground where we were able to get a camp spot.

We set ourselves up, opened all the windows, had some food and then went to do a quick hand wash of some bits. With the clothes hung out we went to explore the camp, checking out the pool and the restaurant. We returned to the van just after midday and played cards for an hour, Paul getting his own back with a win this time.

At 2 we had lunch, a quick pasta fry up with many of the things Luca had given us. It was delicious. I then sorted out some cupboards that were precariously packed before going through our spending over the last few days.

Paul went to the loo only to return a while later looking worse for wear. He had slipped down the path and taken a dive, popping his hip and grazing his knee and elbow. Not good. He was hobbling after wards.

We made our way slowly down to the pool where he took the time to try and recover in the cool water. We talked to some English blokes who had been at the GP qualifying. Once cooled down enough we sat on a lounge in the shade and read. I finished off The Patchwork Marriage that was a great read.

Once finished with the pool area we walked up to the bar and had a drink overlooking the pool before we returned to the van and played cards again trying to keep cool as there was only a little breeze.

At 7pm we returned to the restaurant where we shared ravioli pasta and a pizza that were both delicious. It was extremely busy with so many people staying who were obviously going to the GP.

After dinner we returned to the van. I attempted to use the wireless Internet but the signal was not the best and it kept dropping out. It was a right pain. Paul went off to have a shower and I continued trying in vain to get the net going. Once he returned, with the light fade fast and me not wanting to end up down the in the bushes as he had this afternoon, I too went for a shower. When I returned it was lights out ready for another big day.