Last time
we touched base I was floating across the Mediterranean on a
ferry on our way to Genova. We were travelling in convoy
with Kats and about 0 km before getting on the ferry he got
a blow out. So of course we were running late for the ferry
so we didn't have time to fix it at the time. This meant we
would have to fix it when we arrive. After we got off the
boat we pulled over to the side of the road and started to
dig out my tools. By the time I'd walked around to the back
of Kat's Motorhome there were several coppers standing
around him having a big discussion (shit). My first thought
was to walk away, but as it turned out they wanted to help
for a small fee of several team shirts. So after about 30
minutes of discussion Kats set of to the tyre centre under
police escort, police passengers and lights ablazing. Only
in Italy! I wished I had a video camera. So we left him to
it and we headed off along the coast road direction Pisa to
try and find a camp site that was A near the water and B
able to fit big campers.
2 ½ hours
later but only about 80 km and a few 10 point u-turns we
came across a place called Chiavari which ticked all the
boxes right on the water just fitter our bus. Perfect. We
couldn't have found a better location, about 20 km from
Portofino and about the same distance in the other direction
to Cinque Terre, definitely a nice part of the world.
So the
next day we planned a little site seeing trip to Portofino.
We jumped on the train got off 2 stops later which was St.
Margarita; we browsed at the sea-side markets and kept on
walking and walking and walking until we came across this
tiny cove which was only half way. So we grabbed 2 half
filled glasses of orange juice and handed over 10 Euros for
them and then carried on. From here on the trail entered the
forest a little, with a much more elevated view. About 500
meters into the trail, there was a big thud on the ground
next to us which already gave us a fright let alone that it
was a bloody snake. I mean in the end he was just as scared
as we were as we raced off in the opposite directions.
Just as we
were passing the final head land into Portofino there was
the most gigantic yacht, it was about 75 meters long. Nice
toy! It turns out it's for one family and all there money
was made from cleaning the prince's laundry. Not bad!
We took a
bit of a look around Portofino, had a great feed and then we
charted a little boat or should I say rented one and had a
guided tour of the area, it was one 15 million Euro house
after the next. Bit depressing really.
Other than
our day out we basically just soaked up some rays had some
awesome food and took it pretty easy. Oh yer not too mention
plenty of gelati!
The owners
of the camp site were real motor-bike fans; they did
everything they could to take care of us, which was real
nice. Not only did they take us out for dinner, we weren't
allowed to pay for the camping and they also cam with all
these gifts like special olive oil, red wine, local pesto
and a basil plant in a terracotta pot. Only in Italy!
On Monday
we rolled up to Monza for the next time out on the big girl
and I was really looking to turn things around, particularly
after what's been going down so far. Practice and qualifying
went really well the whole week-end and we'd really found a
much more suitable setting for me on the bike. So for the
first time this year I was really starting to enjoy riding
again.
Superpole
I made a complete mess of it but luckily enough I managed to
stay on the front row, which is really a big help because
I've been having a lot of trouble getting the thing of the
line.
The first
race was to be no exception completely making a mess of it,
and in doing so Chris Walker came flying through having a
great start but taking my clutch lever with him. So by the
time I'd made it through the first turn I was in about 20th
position. So I guess you could say we're even! I managed to
make my way up to 6th and brought some rally
valuable brownie points not to mention the much needed
championship points. The second race I was able to get off
the line much more respectably and I made it through the
first corner in about sixth. The final result was 4th
which is again a step in the right direction and some more
really valuable data and points.
So to come
away with a week-end like this has been a great help in
every aspect. After Monza we were off to Zurich for a couple
of weeks and finally put to bed the injuries from Valencia.
So to finally go to a race in good health is something I've
not yet achieved this year so I'm really looking forward to
Silverstone! Fingers crossed. Thanks Karl
