Ducati Museum and Family

Friday

9 August 

Day 40

56 to go

It was a slightly cooler night, so we both slept well. We ventured downstairs just after 8am, enjoyed our breakfast and a chat and then gathered all of our things and jumped in the car to drive to Bologna, about an hours drive from Forli. Paul was keen to see the Ducati museum, so this was our destination.

We took the motorway, noticing all of the holiday traffic heading in the opposite direction. We were thankful to not be among it. With an unimpeded trip, we arrived at the Ducati museum and factory by 9.45am 

We paid the entry fee, collected our lanyard and made our way to the entrance. In the entry foyer there were bikes to sit on, so of course we both did. We then made our way around the circular exhibit, admiring the bikes they have designed since the the late 1940’s. Paul was right in his element, telling Francesco and I all that he knew. They had race bikes from MotoGP riders, including the Aussies; Casey Stoner and Troy Bayliss and their helmets and leathers. There was also trophies on show.

The museum was smaller than Paul had expected and there were some models that he was hoping to see that were not on display. Overall we enjoyed the exhibit. When we were finished we moved the car so that we could wander around the Ducati store. Paul found a couple of items to take home with him and then we returned to the car to make our way back to Forli. 

It was 12.30pm, but the time we reached home. Francesco cooked up pasta for lunch and we had fresh watermelon from Gianluca's farm. It was sweet and juicy. I then spent time going through the photos, as we all chatted around the table. Francesco went out for supplies at 2.30pm and we retired to our room for an afternoon rest. 

Dad phoned at 5pm, they were sailing back Southampton and will arrive there tomorrow morning. We joined Francesco, watching the Olympic volleyball game bronze match between USA and Italy, which was won by the US. We then began watching the soccer final between France and Spain. I was also keeping an eye on the Opals semifinal against USA. It wasn’t looking good.

At 7pm we climbed into the car, making our way to a restaurant, where we would meet Giulia, Andrea, Mathilde and Paola. 

The Ristorante Pizzeria Notte e Di was 30min away in Fratta Terme. Everyone was waiting for us. when we arrived. We had an outside table with a view of the hills behind us, as the sun began to set. We sat enjoying the chatter in both English and Italian. Understanding more and more.

We enjoyed our pizza meals and panacotta. Mathilde had slowly made her way around the table getting each of us to entertain her. When it was my turn, we went out of the restaurant and played near the fountains. She wore me out.

We continued our lovely evening until 10pm and then it was time to say goodbye and make our way home.