Back on the motorway and headed for Brisighella, we decided to detour to Cattolica where Mum had holidayed over 50 years ago. Scary place, so totally over run with humanity in all its forms. The question of the day was - should you still be wearing a bikini when the bikini top wraps around your middle in order to cover your nipples? You know your boobs have dropped when your swimsuit only comes half way up your torso and still covers your top bits. Scary, scary, scary.
The heat finally beat us and we had to seek sanctuary in the car. The GPS refused to work so we had to resort to Italian road signs to find the autostrada. Luckily - and very surprisingly - this worked.
Another hour or more of driving and the GPS kicked in - bless her - with 30 km to go, and took us straight to the door. Our hotel, “Albergo La Rocca”, is on the edge of the historic part of town. Imagine a hotel from the 1950s with no air conditioner, no fridge, dreadful curtains and wallpaper peeling. The pull-out bed had a huge dip in the centre and was not set up, nor were there sufficient towels or pillows. After a somewhat refreshing sleep... off we went in 40°C heat to find the information centre and a half decent map, something the hotel could not supply. This is a town moving towards tourism but not yet there.
Took a drinks break in a small cafe and watched television (cartoons in Italian) for a while so our bodies could cool down again.
Followed instructions from the map, and the information centre lady, to get to La Rocca, the medieval fortress overlooking the town, and on to the 6-hour clock (connected by a road not shown on the maps) ...only to discover both CLOSED. It’s the only reason we came here!!! They are only open Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Too ridiculous for words. Still, we took what photos we could.
Like many clock towers in Italy this one works with two bells, one marking the hours and the other the ¼ hours. The hour bell gives one peal for each hour up to 6 a.m. then just one peal for 7 a.m., two for 8 a.m., you get the picture. It is supposed to be obvious to the locals that what the one chime means when they hear it. One can easily tell whether it is one in the afternoon or seven in the morning.
Another rest and we got dressed to go out for dinner down to a restaurant Caitlin had spotted beside the Memorial/Remembrance Park - gorgeous statue near the park with the huge stone ball fountain.
Dinner was great and before long the entire place was packed. We finished dessert and paid the bill then went in search of the free concert we’d seen advertised. Our ears led us to a delightful little church, brightly lit inside with magical playing by violinists, a harpsichordist and a classical guitarist. What a stunning end to our evening. We gently meandered back to the hotel stopping to photograph the ‘ass’s way’, and old covered road used by the donkeys carrying loads from the quarry - there must be a story there.
Arrived back at the hotel to be greeted by a woman and berated by some bloke; something about using the key to get in through another door. We’d been told we only needed that after midnight and it was only 11.20 so couldn’t understand the issue. Put a huge damper on an otherwise totally magical evening.
Another no air-con and another 3O+°C night...
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