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| Rally-ing Italian style! |
 |
| This is the vino cart. |
 |
| Rat Bike !! |
 |
| There were many side car rigs, but we did not see any trailers. |
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| A Moto Guzzi engine as part of the beer dispenser at Al Ghezz! |
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| Joe with the Moto Guzzi 'Ambassador'! |
 |
We had several meals and drinks at Al Ghezz.
|
Checked out the V8 Moto Guzzi's and race bikes at this display.
Found a few interesting things along the way:
 |
| This is the river that runs through Mandello del Lario and into Lake Como. |
 |
| People dressed in clothing from 1921 beside the Carlo Gizzi statue; |
Sunday morning we had Jim's birthday breakfast at galli & gufi with Terry and Helen. Mid-morning we did the Moto Guzzi Factory tour.
 |
| The moto guzzi assembly line. |
 |
| The rig used to deliver the new moto guzzi's. |
The world famous moto guzzi 'wind tunnel'.
 |
| Interesting three wheel food trucks. |
Leaving the factory - motorcycles parked all over the place!
 |
| Motorcycles parked on the street divider. |
We met Marco and Giorgio Pirelli, brothers - they have the garage beside San Lorenzo Bar.
Marco
and Giorgio have continued their father’s work at Autocarrozzeria Pirelli in Mandello
del Lario – body work and restorations.
They have an impressive collection of antique motorcycles – and opened
their garage so people could appreciate the antiques.
 |
| Photo is 'before' restoration. |
By Sunday afternoon, the crowds had dispersed, the town of Mandello del Lario was returning to a more steady pace!
Weather was warm and sunny for the whole weekend - 35,000 people attended the Raduno and 20,000
motorcycles. Newspaper said it was a record attendance.
We caught up with Terry and Helen for afternoon drinks, Helen had returned from a helicopter ride over Mandello. I had seen the helicopter overhead many times over the weekend and took a few photos of it.
Joe, Michele and I went for a lap. Very beautiful and well worth it.
 |
| One of the small bars we ate at in Mandello del Lario. |
Jim's birthday dinner at Al Ghezz, Joe and Michele's treat for Jim's birthday.
Afterwards, Jim and I went went back to the apartment where Alessia, (owner of the apartment we were staying at) invited us to a gathering of her friends in the back yard, for cake, gelato and limoncello. Mentioned it was Jim's birthday, everyone sang and toasted - so it was a memorable one for him, he is still talking about it!
 |
| Gathering at Alessia's (Alessia's photo, thank you!). |
Funny that two of Alessia's dogs, Molly and Billy got in the photo as well!
Monday morning we planned a ferry ride on Lake Como over to the town of Bellagio. The ferry did not leave until 11.30 am, so we wandered through the Monday markets in Mandello. Wow, it is a huge affair!
 |
| Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables for sale. |
 |
| Shoes, clothes, home wares, hardware available. |
It is about an hour ferry trip to Bellagio.
Internet: Lake Como has been a popular retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times, and a very popular tourist attraction with many artistic and cultural gems. The Lake Como ferry service is a highly developed public transport system linking the many small towns around the Lake.
 |
| Ferry Station, Mandello del Lario. |
Internet: Few
places are as romantic as Lake Como, and even fewer resorts as beautiful as
Bellagio. Called the ‘Pearl of the Lake’,
Bellagio’s world class hotels and restaurants provide the perfect place to soak
up the famous lake’s panorama. The
village is characterized by century old buildings, stone lanes and picturesque
cobbled stairways filled with shops showcasing the finest Italian wares.
 |
On the ferry approaching Bellagio.
|
 |
| The shopping district. |
 |
| Cars and scooters drive down these alleys. |
 |
| Assorted grolla's (friendship cups). |
Grolla, Grole or Friendship Cup – is a multi-spouted, and often ornately carved, wooden bowl with a small
lid. They are always round and
relatively shallow, with an interior capacity for liquid proportionate to the
number of spouts. The recipe varies,
basically comprising a base of black coffee to which a variety of liquors are
added.
Recipe: 4 cups of Italian (black) coffee, 2 small glasses
of grappa, peel of one lemon, 4 teaspoons of sugar. In a small saucepan heat coffee, add grappa, the lemon peel and sugar. Stir and bring to boil. Remove lemon peel. Sweeten the openings of the Grolla and pour
in liquid. Light the mixture and there
will be a blue flame. After a short time
put the flame out and drink, passing to other guests. Drink until the cup is empty.
Don’t worry about germs – what is in the cup could be
classified as a disinfectant!
Lunch at a lovely restaurant near the church of San
Giacomo.
Internet: The church of San Giacomo as built in the 12th
Century and was further developed during the baroque era. The plan consists of three aisles with a bell
tower. The bell tower has been raised
and changed during the 17th Century and was initially a defence
tower of the city walls.
On
the inside are works of art from different historic periods; two 15th
Century tables, several Romanic sculptures, numerous paintings of late 16th
and 17th Centuries.
 |
| Bellagio. |
 |
| The Ferry at Bellagio. |
 |
| Heading back to Mandello del Lario. |
 |
| Back to Mandello del Lario. |
Back in Mandello for a relaxing evening; went to the lido (beach) to watch the sunset, people enjoying the water and beach, and a drink at a park bar.
Tuesday, 13th the four of us took the train
north to Varenna, can also get there by the lake ferry. The train travelled through several tunnels in the mountains. The Varenna treno stazione is
very nice – it had a bar, café, with outdoor seating – a great assortment of
pastries and cakes.
 |
| Varenna Train Station cafe. |
Varenna is a small village, with less tourists, across
the lake from Bellagio, and on the eastern shore of Lake Como.
Internet: Varenna
is one of the best preserved medieval centres of the entire lake area, with its
charming, steep cobblestone streets, porticos and historic churches. … while this
ancient (eleventh century) fishing village is today being populated with luxury shops and eating
places it still retains its distinctive character.
We walked from the train station down to the lake, and
then around the lake.
The
Passeggiata degli Innamorati (Lover’s walk) runs along the edge of the lake
leading to the historic centre.
 |
| The cushions are for a place to sit and eat gelato. |
Found a lovely restaurant for lunch lakeside, with an outside terrace and great food.
 |
| Lunch in Varenna. |
The
lakeside promenade in the center of the old borgo (borough
or burg) of Varenna is lined with restaurants,
bars, and delightful boutiques.
Steps and stores all the way up, many alley’s and
porticos.
There are several churches in Varenna; the large
Romanesque Parish Church of San Giorgio in the main piazza has three naves and
twin aisles and was consecrated in 1313.
Its façade is embellished by a large fresco portraying Saint
Christopher, to bring luck to passing travellers. There are frescos inside and out.
 |
| Church of San Giorgio, Varenna. |
We walked along the lake shore road following the lake south
of Varenna about 1 kilometre to the hamlet of Fiumelatte.
 |
| Gardens along the shore road at Villa Monastera, which was once a nunnery that later converted into one of the first 'houses of pleasure'. |
 |
| Looking north to Varenna. |
The
Fiumelatte River, one of the shortest rivers in Italy, it is 250 metres long and
only flows for six months of the year (it dries up in the winter months). It owes its name to the colour of the frothy
water that makes it appear as a ‘river of milk’
(fiume – river; latte – milk).
A nice man came out of a house and spoke to us, he offered us all a lift back to Varenna, we all squeezed into a tiny Fiat for the 1 km trip back! We were grateful though - it was hot!
Found a bar in the piazza and had a refreshment. Interesting looking at the parking area and seeing assorted moto guzzi.
Heading back to the train station, down a narrow street saw this cool car.
It is for two-way traffic. We had some entertainment when two large tour buses met oncoming traffic.
Trivia - Notable person from Varenna, Italy: Giovanni Battista Pirelli (1848 – 1932),
entrepreneur, engineer and politician who founded Pirelli & Co. in Milan in
1872. (that is: “Pirelli Tyres”)
Back to Varenna Train Station, and relaxed at the cafe and waited for our train back to Mandello del Lario.
 |
| Varenna train station. |
Wednesday was to be our last day in Mandello, we did some final shopping, and packing. Said good-bye to Ian and Carolyn, they were heading off to other parts of Italy. Caught up with Terry and Helen at their apartment.
That evening we had dinner at San Lorenzo Bar, we had our first dinner in Mandello there, and our last dinner there.
 |
| San Lorenzo Bar, with Sarah. |
Thursday was an early morning to the train station for
the 7am to Milano. Terry and Helen also
on the same train to Milano Centrale.
Terry was going to the airport, returning to Queensland. Helen had one
more week in Italy and went as far as Milano to visit there.
 |
| Milano Centrale Station. |
We transferred from Milano Centrale to S. Agostino Station which was closest to
the apartment booked for one night in Milan.
It was raining steadily when we exited the subway
station. First wet weather of the whole
trip! Had to dig out our rain ponchos,
as we had a good walk to our apartment, La
dimORA Residence.
On the way we stopped at Porta Ticinese, to get our bearings and out of the rain - a great
landmark.
Internet: Porta Ticinese is a former gate of
Milan. Facing south west, the gate was
created with the Spanish walls of the city in the 16th century, but
the original structure was demolished and replaced early in the 19th
century (1801 -1814). It is considered
one of the prominent examples of neoclassical architecture of Milan. The district is part of the Navioli area,
which is rich of monuments, tourist attractions, night life, and more.
 |
| Out of the rain in Porta Ticinese. |
We found La dimORA
Residence easily, got keys and put our luggage inside. Some rain had got inside the luggage, so we
had to spread it out to dry.
The receptionist gave us umbrellas, so we went exploring
as we only had the one afternoon in Milan.
 |
| Not sure what this is - could be part of the old city walls/gates. |
Internet: The Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore is an
important place of catholic worship, originally built in Roman times and
subsequently rebuilt several times over a number of centuries. The basilica was built between the late
fourth and early fifth centuries (some scholars propose an earlier date). The
exact date is uncertain.
 |
| The Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore. |
 |
| Inside. |
The square facing the basilica features the “Colonne di San Lorenzo” (Columns of St. Lawrence), one of the few remains of the Roman Mediolanum, dating from the 3rd Century AD and probably belonging to the large baths built by the Emporer Maximian. Moved to the current place when the basilica construction was finished.
 |
| These are beautiful old columns. |
 |
| Bicycles for rent. |
 |
| Motorbikes and scooters the best form of transportation in the city. |
 |
| Large brick streets. |
Internet: Milan Cathedral / Duomo di Milano is the
seat of the Archbishop of Milan. It is
the largest church in Italy (the larger St Peter’s Basilica is in the State of
Vatican City), and is the fifth largest in the world.
Milan’s
layout, with streets either radiating from the Duomo or circling it, reveals
that the Duomo occupies what was the most central sit in Roman Mediolanum.
The
cathedral was built over several hundred years (almost six centuries), in a
number of contrasting styles and the quality of the workmanship varies
markedly.
There was a long line to go inside the Cathedral, so we
did not enter. The rain had
stopped. A lot of people in the square,
but were outnumbered by pigeons!
 |
| A lot of pigeons! |
The “Madonnina” atop the main spire, a baroque guilded bronze statue.
The city architecture is beautiful:
 |
| Statue near Sforza Castle. |
Internet: Sforza Castle – Castello Sforzesco was built
in the 15th century on the remains of a 14th century
fortification. Later renovated and
enlarged, in the 16th and 17th centuries, it was one of
the largest citadels in Europe. It now
houses several of the city’s museums and art collections.
 |
| Sforza Castle. |
Wandered through the castle, through Piazza Sempione, to
Porta Sempione.
Internet: Porta Sempione (Simplon Gate) refers to the
gate proper and to the surrounding district.
The gate is marked by a landmark triumphal arch called Arco della Pace
(Arch of Peace) dating to the 19th century, although origins can be
traced back to the gate of the Roman walls of Milan. Very little remains of the original Roman
structure.
We had done a lot of walking, so found a café/bar. Found some authentic cannoli’s, and other pastries.
Back to the apartment, Jim had enough of walking, so Joe,
Michele and I headed back towards the Porta
Ticinese, via some of the fashionable shops.
 |
| Shoes! |
 |
| Gelato. |
 |
| We thought it funny to see Domino's Pizza in Italy! |
 |
| McDonald's restaurant on the left. |
 |
| Porta Ticinese. |
We had seen canals near
there when we walked from the train station earlier (when it was raining) - the
Naviglio Grande.
Internet: the canal
joins the Ticino river to the Porta Ticinese dock. In 1177 construction began – it took over 50
years to dig 30 kms by hand using only pickaxe and shovel. In 1258 the Naviglio Grande reached Milan.
Although
intended mostly for irrigation, pontoons called cobbie quickly began using the
canal to take salt, grain, wine, manufactured goods, fabric, tableware, manure
and ash upriver; bringing
back livestock, cheese, hay, coal, lumber, sand, marble and granite.
 |
| Navigalio / canals. |
The increase in road transport bought about decline in canal
use for commerce and transportation.
There are several bridges crossing the canal, an lined
with restaurants and shops.
Several
barges on the water convert to extra restaurant space. Just on dark while we looked about – the area was deserted. Joe and Michele wanted
dinner, so I headed back to the apartment.
When they came back a couple of hours later, they said that after dark the area became very crowded; all the restaurants were full including the barges on the canals, there were street performers and a general festival atmosphere (on a Thursday evening?).
We had a pleasant stay at La dimORA Residence in Milan.
Early night, then up early Friday morning to take a taxi to Malpensa airport, about an hours drive. An interesting ride - the taxi got a flat tyre! The driver continued into the airport with very little rubber left on the rim!
An uneventful international flight from Malpensa, Italy to JFK airport in New York City, then to Buffalo.
While in Italy I received a message via Ancestry.com from Jim's second cousin, whom he had never met. There had been a rift in his maternal grandfathers family about the 1930's - he had seven siblings - Jim's mom has no information on them, and Jim's generation barely knew of the existence of family from that side.
Saturday morning, 17 September we had arranged to meet Jim's second cousin, Nancy Dobay, her niece Tina, and Tina's daughter, Aniyah in Alden. We spent about two and a half hours asking questions and swapping information - it was wonderful. I had gleaned as much information as I could from Ancestry.com and old newspapers, so we are working to piece things together and resurrect the family relationships that have been dormant for decades.
 |
| New found cousins! |
Sunday we had dinner with a high school friend of Jim's, Rick Gorenflo and his lovely wife, Marta at French Pub in Buffalo. Lots of laughs, and Marta and I had our first ever Moscow Mule drinks!
Moscow Mule drink:
Combine vodka and spicy ginger beer fill with ice, splash of lime juice
and garnish with a wedge of lime and sprig of fresh mint leaf. Served in a copper mug. That was very nice!
On Tuesday, we loaded at the Ford Stamping Plant in Buffalo - a whole load of empty parts racks.
 |
| Ford Plant, Buffalo, New York to Monroe, Michigan. |
Delivered them the next morning in Monroe, Michigan south side of Detroit at a Ford Plant. That afternoon, loaded in Detroit - steel tubing and tarped.
 |
| Detroit, Michigan - loaded steel tubing. |
The load had three deliveries going to the same company, Uretek, but in different cities for different jobs.
Uretek Website: In the early 1970s an engineer discovered
the potential of applying the structural properties of expanding polyurethane
to civil related applications. … a high-density polyurethane was formulated and
selected for this unique system of lifting and under-sealing concrete.
Delivered 8 bundles in Bettendorf, Iowa the next day. Drove a day, then delivered Friday afternoon at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. The Uretek system is being used to lift low areas on the tarmac. Even though we had given a day, then an hour's notice; we waited outside the fenced yard for two hours! We were parked between two runways, and below a control tower and no one came to see what we were doing! We thought security would be questioning us.
I had been watching the planes landing and taking off, so was able to anticipate this photo of a British Airways aircraft coming into the terminal area crossing the road in front of us.
 |
| Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas. |
The next morning (Saturday) was a different story in Tomball, Texas - this gate stopped us from entering the Industrial Park! Good security there!
We were empty - and had found a reload for Monday afternoon in Houston, so took the motorbike off the truck for the weekend.
Internet: Tomball is part of the Houston metropolitan
area. In 1907, the community of Peck was
renamed Tomball for local congressman Thomas Henry Ball, who had a major role
in the development of the Port of Houston.
Driving through Tomball on the way to the truckstop, we saw tents being set up, so once we were mobile we went back into town for the Beer, Bugs and Barbeque Festival.
 |
| This was the raffle prize. |
 |
| It was a hot day - the kids cooled off! |
 |
| The most volkswagons I have seen in one place! |
After going around the volkswagons several times, we stopped in a nearby bar for the air conditioning and a craft brew. Then decided to visit the Lone Pint Brewery in the town of Magnolia. The brewery had a tent and samples at the Tomball Festival, and Magnolia was close.
The town of Magnolia was having a Festival - Stroll Thru The
Renaissance. The Magnolia Stroll is
a tree-shaded half mile pedestrian walkway connecting several parks.
There were a lot of people in costume and
acting, speaking in the Renaissance era.
I had not been to one before, but there is a big following in the USA
and starting to spread to the rest of the world. I find it odd that the USA celebrates it so
enthusiastically considering the actual Renaissance
was in England and Europe Medieval era.
Descendants maybe? Or just plain fun!
Internet: The
Renaissance is a period in Europe from the 14th to the 17th
century, regarded as the cultural bridge between the Middle Ages and modern
history.
The people wear elaborate costumes, and act ‘medieval’,
with the speech Elizabethan, Gaelic … thee, thou, hither, thou would’st or thou
should’st, wherefore, etc. Very
entertaining!! A lot of ‘carousing’ and frivolty!!
A
world full of Kings and Queens, Lords and Ladies, Knights, Nobles, Fairies,
Elves, Pirates, Barbarians and other fanciful interactive characters. Guests entertained by a marvelous assortment
of performers.
 |
| This little one was cute! |
A big storm dumped a lot of rain, and people filled the small drinking area of the Lone Pint Brewery.
 |
| People partied on - as they would have in the 15th Century! |
Everyone had a fabulous, fun time!
Earlier we had spotted Julio's Mexican Restaurant in Tomball, so headed back to there for dinner.
Sunday we did not venture far because thunderstorms were forecast for most of the day. Went to the local grocery store in Waller for supplies for the next week in the truck.
Saw some things that we don't find in Florida:
 |
| Nopales or prickly pear cactus pads (leaves). |
 |
| Prickly pear fruit. |
 |
| Aloe leaves. |
Found a nearby bar to watch football, but the Buffalo Bills game was not televised there.
Monday morning we loaded the motorbike, and went into Houston to load at EMSER Tile in the afternoon. 19 skids of ceramic tiles and bags of grout, and we tarped the load.
 |
| Houston, Texas to Palm Harbor, Florida. |
 |
| Tarped! |
Wednesday, 28 September, we delivered to a RACETRAC gas station under construction in Palm Harbor, Florida. Then to the house in Daytona Beach.
Tuesday, 13th the four of us took the train
north to Varenna, can also get there by the lake ferry. The train travelled through several tunnels in the mountains. The Varenna treno stazione is
very nice – it had a bar, café, with outdoor seating – a great assortment of
pastries and cakes.
The
lakeside promenade in the center of the old borgo (borough
or burg) of Varenna is lined with restaurants,
bars, and delightful boutiques.
Sunday we did not venture far because thunderstorms were forecast for most of the day. Went to the local grocery store in Waller for supplies for the next week in the truck.
Heading back to the train station, down a narrow street saw this cool car.
It is for two-way traffic. We had some entertainment when two large tour buses met oncoming traffic.
Trivia - Notable person from Varenna, Italy: Giovanni Battista Pirelli (1848 – 1932),
entrepreneur, engineer and politician who founded Pirelli & Co. in Milan in
1872. (that is: “Pirelli Tyres”)
Thursday was an early morning to the train station for
the 7am to Milano. Terry and Helen also
on the same train to Milano Centrale.
Terry was going to the airport, returning to Queensland. Helen had one
more week in Italy and went as far as Milano to visit there.
Wednesday was to be our last day in Mandello, we did some final shopping, and packing. Said good-bye to Ian and Carolyn, they were heading off to other parts of Italy. Caught up with Terry and Helen at their apartment.
