September 20, 2009
Ponzano Magra (near Sarzana)
We had a good meal in the room but the Chianti was very disappointing - I should have paid more.
It was a fine morning and we were loaded up and away by 8.00am. We went through the old town where we saw Bob, the American pilgrim again and walked with him till we could find the way out, then off on the right side of the Magro. There was terrible ribbon development but some grapes growing and a group picking, they gave Tricia a lovely large bunch of red grapes which we ate with lunch. In Villafranca we found a supermarket where we got stale bread and nectarines. Then on along with one coffee stop. Some of the road went quite high past a castle,to Aulla which was meant to have an Information office but it was closed. The weather was looking threatening by now so Tricia sat on the side of the road and made some phone calls. On the 4th try she got a B and B. We set off on the SS62 which was fairly busy but had no trucks. We stopped to eat our stale bread, cheese and grapes at Stephano di Magra. We didn't know how close we were as we speed on and got within about 3km of Sarzana. Where was it? We started asking and had to go back almost to San Stephano were we eventually found the road going up the hill to the Band B
It was great, a wonderful room with a terrace and lovely people. They gave us coffee and I fixed the bikes and chatted with the son. They asked us if we would like to come to church with them. Of course we did. Into the Cathedral Santa Maria in Sarzana. We were half an hour early so they took us to the castle. It seemed easier in the church with the liturgy in front of us. When we came out it was raining so we were picked up by a man with an umbrella and very rapid Italian. Altogether a wonderful and very Italian experience, although we certainly felt like the prize exhibits of our hosts they seemed so excited to show us off.
Back 'home' and at 8.30pm a 3 course meal accompanied with a very nice Barbera Tagatelie with pesto (that our hostess had made herself) for the primo, I don't know what the seconda was then Rum Babas followed with lemoncello and a myrtle digestive. There was lots of laughter and fun even though conversation was rather difficult but I must say Tricia did well.
We slept soundly
Today's ride: 42 km (26 miles)
Total: 1,733 km (1,076 miles)
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