We left home on Tuesday 26th June about 10am and after filling up with fuel at Smithy View we took the usual route -A483, A5, M54, M6 Toll road. We decided to try the M6, A14, M11 route from there to the QE2 bridge but there was a huge hold up and we were stationary for nearly 2 hours! It was a very warm, sunny day but the air con kept us cool in the van. Eventually we arrived at the Premier Inn in Folkestone about 7pm. We had a meal at the Brickfield Tavern and then went to bed.
We had an uncomfortable night’s sleep as it was very warm and no air con in the room. We got up early and drove to the Le Shuttle departure for the tunnel. We got an earlier train and left about 8am. We got straight on the road, stopping for coffee and lunch, arriving in Nancy 3.45.pm The French roads are so quiet and so much better than UK. Roads. We went to the Auchan supermarket and filled up with fuel and purchased a few basics – water etc. We checked into the Ibis Budget hotel and later went to the Royal Gambas for food – Chinese Wok style.
We left Nancy about 8am and had a lovely drive through the Vosges mountains, stopping in St Maurice Sur Moselle for a coffee and croissant. We also bought some quiche slices for lunch. We stopped for the Swiss Vignette in Basle and then stopped at Sempach Aire to eat the quiches. It was still hot and sunny. We carried on towards the Gottard Tunnel which was not shut despite all the signs saying it was. We drove through the tunnel and on to the Hotel Della Rotunda and after checking in we went across to the Rotunda Centre for some food.
We left the hotel about 9.30. and drove to Bologna surviving the crazy Italian drivers arriving at the Hotel Del Borgo about 2.30.pm After checking in we walked round to the Ducati Museum (about 5 minutes away) and spent a little time wandering around the museum. We then caught the bus into the centre of Bologna and found Piazza Mingetti where the walking tour would start from tomorrow. We had a meal in a restaurant and then caught the bus home.
We got up the next day and left by 9am, catching the bus again into the centre and had a coffee in Piazza Mingetti before meeting Frederich who was our tour guide. There were about 16 people in the group, and we enjoyed a very interesting and informative walk around the city. It was hot and sunny, but we stopped frequently in shady spots whilst Frederich talked to us. We went to a bar/café which Frederich had recommended for some lunch before heading back to the hotel on the bus.
We left the hotel about 9.30. and got on the road towards Ancona. We were heading for Falconaria for lunch at a fish restaurant which Mel and Dawn had recommended and had booked a table for us. We arrived early about 12 o’clock but after finding a parking place we sat down at our table. We ordered our food which was excellent. The restaurant was very busy, so it was good that we got there early. We were served by Thomas whose English was perfect and he was very helpful. Afterwards we finished the journey to Ancona and checked in at the Anek Port Office. We parked under the road bridge in the shade and met up with Ralf and Claudia. Eventually we were able to go the port and get on the ferry and met Ralf and Claudi again and had a drink with them. The ferry left about 7.15.pm
We got to Igoumenitsa about 2pm on Monday 1st June but it was about 3.30.pm before we were unloaded and got on the way. We stopped at the usual garage in Preveza to fill up with diesel (which was cheaper than the UK). We arrived in Vassiliki about 5pm and called at Nikos Supermarket on the way to the apartment. We unloaded our bags and then walked along to the Cosmos Hotel to say hello to Stelios and Vassiliki. Mel Archer was also there and we had a brief catch up with him before going to the Almi restaurant in Pondi for the usual Greek Salad and Chicken Souvlaki.