19 May 2017

Milan Wanderings and Giro Stage 13 Finish Tortana

 Mixed bag of things today.  Morning was spent wandering the shopping district.  Its hard being "early risers" (I usually rise around 4:30 to 5:00am and Lorraine well anything before 7:00am is good).  Trouble is Italy, is lucky to be even taking a wake up call much before 10:00am in retail.  Most shops are not even open, though they do stay open late.  Just as well as we have no real intention of doing any serious Milan spending.  To be honest most of what we would consider spending money on we can at the same brand shops in Brisbane.  And the prices are far more reasonable in Brisbane.  The Vans shop had some nice shoes but we picked up Vans in Hawai'i for at least half what they are here.  We were very disappointed not to see any Zelows or Strandbags luggage shops or even a Best and Less, what sort of shopping precinct is this? :-)

Seriously though, the shopping precinct is elegantly understated and understandably with the type of merchandise on offer, security abounds.

We did do some shopping and That Other Youngest Daughter will just have to wait and see what we purchased for her.  Don't worry, That Other Oldest Daughter, we have things for you too.

Having done the wanderings, we had a quick stop for some refreshments in the form of Ciccoliata Calda and Ciccoliata Torte (for me).  Grande is the only way to describe it.  Its at a little place just near the hotel called "Salumeria Il Legale".  A small eatery that serves awesome pizzas and calzones, ciccoliata calda and torte, beer and generally grande service and conversation.  Very accommodating.

Then it was off to Tortona for the Giro Stage 13 Finish.  A little town that we made it to going by a scenic route via Corsico (check out the graffiti) and Mortara as the main towns and lots of villages in between.  The photos tell the story of the drive.  Suffice to say we accidentally stumbled across the course along the way to Tortona, the Pink signs with blacks arrows indicate the course, we were driving in the opposite direction.  Today's course being a flat stage doing a very scenic tour of the Po Valley region before finishing in Tortona.

Then of course it was Tortona.  We found a great parking spot less than 200 metres from the finish straight.  I decided camping out at the 150metre mark was the best compromise.  Any closer and it was very crowded, any further back and a chance there would not be as much intensity.  The finish straight was 450 metres long, downhill and around 7 metres wide.  We waited 2 hours before the caravan arrived and provided some entertainment, then another hour before the riders sprinted through.  All over in about 10 seconds  LMAO, the things we diehards do.

We've decided the next stage we do we'll probably either or both of go to the start line in the village as we both agree the Ponte A Ema start was awesome, and then try to find a way to a mid course point with a picnic and sit by the side of the road waiting for the riders to go past.  Hopefully a few bidons cast our way.

Having seen the riders sprint through, it was time for a drive back to Milan, express via the Autostradas.  A toll ticket and we were on our way at 130km/h.  The Autostradas make Australian drivers look like a bunch of morons.  Want someone to move over, tailgate them, they move over, let you past then move back.  Someone tailgates you, move over, let them pass, move back.

Dinner was calzones at "Salumeria Il Legale".

Tomorrow is a Monza and Lake Como day trip. Have to say we are really enjoying this trip.  Lots of things done, always exhausted at night, but thirsty for more the next day.

Ciao.

Sean & Lorraine
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