Day 11- Florence to San Giovanni ( via Bologna)

What an interesting day it has been today…

It started at about 6.30 am with a wake- up after a very quiet night which was a bit of a surprise! Why because Italy lost to Spain in the Euro 24 game last night. Based on past experiences in Italy, when they play football the whole of Italy is watching…. and if they win the celebrations are very loud.

So awake early….after breakfast we planned to go to the bike shop to get a couple of things then do a short ride to Fiesole in the nearby hills before catching the train to Bologna. Unfortunately Steve had a problem with his rear tyre tube which needed fixing so the wait at the bike shop was a little longer than expected, so the planned ride was reduced to a shorter one around the town. As we had seen most of the sights on the northern side of the river this time we did a bit on the south side which turned out to be quite interesting. We went past the Pitti Palace which was quite lovely and would be worth a visit when next in Florence.

We then made our way back to the train station ahead of our train ride to Bologna via Faenza remembering that this was the only way we could get us and the bikes to Bologna!

The train station was very busy with travellers going everywhere…. Gosh the Italian rail system works well and is mostly on time. After a wait of about an hour we made our way to a platform that didn’t seem to exist but after a discussion with railway staff we found platform 17 off in the distance…. So far away we had to ride our bikes!

So on the train we went and thanowe found room on the bike racks for our trusty bikes and seats to enjoy the train trip over the mountains. The train trip was about an hour and a half and I couldn’t help thinking that we made the right move to travel by train for this leg of the trip as the mountains were very ominous and the humid hot weather would have made the trip very difficult.

The train was very full of passengers and we enjoyed lunch on the train in air conditioned comfort.

Arriving at Faenza, we had to change trains for the trip into Bologna. We found the right platform and the train arrived. It was very full and in sorting out the bike carriage I attempted to find more room on another carriage when the doors slammed shut with both Chris and Steve on the train with my bike and me on the platform in Faenza!!!! Bloody Hell!

Anyway after collecting my thoughts, I made my way to the ticket office and purchased another train ticket for the next train that was leaving about half an hour later….. thank God it would not muck things up too much given I wanted to see one of my son’s mates ( Michael Maxwell) in Bologna and we had another 24 kms to ride to our next overnight destination!

Anyway it all turned out ok and I made it on the next train which turned out to be less crowded than the earlier train which Chris and Steve were on.

I arrived in Bologna and met with Chris and Steve and we caught up with Michael for a drink and dinner of lasagna….Bologna style! Yes it was very good. Michael was very interesting in discussing his past 12 months living in Bologna with his family and the experiences that they shared in their time in Italy…. Great opportunity if you can do it! Michael also informed us that the Bologna region is known for its food and cuisine and it is not expensive.

After this it was off for the final part of the day’s adventure, the 24 km ride to San Giovanni. The weather was starting to cool down finally and the ride out of Bologna was relatively easy with good bike paths. Once out of town the ride was through lovely farming country with many farmers doing some end of day chores.

We arrived at our destination at about 8.30 pm which is a lovely hotel which is very comfortable, probably the best accommodation so far on the trip. The only problem being…. Yes you guessed it….we are on the top floor!

After a cool drink and sorting out the washing it is off to bed at about 10.30 pm….a late night for us really

Today’s events would be best described as the “adventure “ side of bike adventure…. All fun and to be enjoyed!

The pictures today are:

The route in Florence and out of Bologna to San Giovanni

At the train station in Florence

Steve and Chris on the train

Me on the train from Faenza to Bologna on my own!

Michael Maxwell and I … great to see him again

Our home for the night