Wednesdays Somewhere Else

We've been busy planning next years trip. It's about spending time with friends - they are what makes life more interesting, and somewhat more enjoyable. We've been very fortunate in our travels and our time at "Melbourne - home on the bay" to have good friends.

Two weeks in Italy

We've booked our lease car, a Citroen C4 which we pick up in Milan before driving to Tuscany to meet our Bayside cycling friends for the Retro cycling event called L'Eroica in Gaiole, Chianti. It will be a little bit silly as we ride on old steel bikes over the strada bianco - gravel roads in the hills of Tuscany. No carbon fibre or uncountable multi-gears on these bikes. We trade our Lycra for wool that was popular up until the 70s.
The local towns offer the riders local food and wine as we ride the 135 kms, some may do the 200 kms. Not for me the 200 kms. I could do it but it would mean less talk, less food and more importantly, less wine.

We've even booked an apartment in Paris for our last week. We've stayed there before in 2010 and we know an American fellow who lives in the Loire who spent some of his younger years in the district (you know the area well, don't you KB).

On the street where you live - returning to our apartment from 2010.

And some time in the Loire - can you guess where?

After two weeks in Italy, we'll meander towards France and the Loire valley to meet up with people we've met from past travels to the area. I may have mentioned it previously but Sue believes the Loire is her spiritual home. We've certainly had some memorable experiences in this very pleasant part of France.

So until next September we only have pictures on the wall to remind us.

Only eleven months and much saving ahead to go.'