Chaos to London

 So how do I describe the events of the last 36 hours. With a picture! This picture and its depiction of utter chaos is pretty much it. It's also the lobby of the hotel we hastily arranged to stay in the night before a flight to London. More of the hotel below.

So we checked in for our flight to London, was planned for 16:55 today. No sooner had we checked in than we got a notice from BA saying the flight had been canceled. We both panicked. Apparently there is a strike impacting our arrival airport. Anyway My phone would not dial the UK (I’m not sure why - I tried the Europe exit code etc). The BA desk in Italy was closed. Fran went down to the front desk and engaged their help. BA originally wanted us to fly to Düsseldorf, spend the night there, and catch a later plane to London the next day. Fran kept bugging him for other options and an early flight out of Linate to London did have a few seats available. So she took them. The wonderful young woman at the front desk then helped us find a hotel in Milan, as we were in Turin - too far to make a 7:25 flight. I scrambled and got train tickets to Milan and rearranged our pick up from London City to Heathrow. Trains, Planes and Automobiles in action.

The good news, we thought, was that by 10:30 (London Time) we’d be able to sit down to a breakfast at Balan’s.

So the our trip was about even more chaotic. 4:40 alarm in Milan, mad cab ride (the guy drove like a maniac) to Linate Airport, Not a terrible line at BA but we were early, we both got pulled aside at security in Linate, had a few issues with the new EES (European Exit System) but not many, crunched in the back of the flying cattle car, tired and sweaty arrived at Heathrow, pretty easy time through customs (we were quick), and fast retrieval of our bag, slow drive into London with Mohamoud, and then had to wait, tired and sweaty, until three for our room. 

But what about Balan's you say! Of course! We trooped down Old Compton Street to Balan's, one of our favorite haunts, for breakfast. And it was closed. Sigh. Ended up going to Breakfast Club (a passible but not spectacular breakfast place) in Soho.

After three we got a nap (well I did Fran not so much) and a shower and had a great dinner at 10 cases. Good conversation and good food took us a long way toward recovery. 

Travel is like that sometimes. Utter chaos and confusion followed by periods of calm and fun. 

It’s Hot

 So we’re in the midst of a record breaking heat wave in Western Europe. As I’ve said in previous posts it’s hot. I’d planned for cooler than normal weather but not hotter. You can’t ride a bike when it’s new 100 degrees Fahrenheit. But I don’t have a plan for what to do…we’ve doodled the last four or five days but we’re runnng out of early morning excursions we can do. Plus it’s 75 in the cool of the night…certainly a relief but not cold. My lesson here? Plan for not only cold but hot in the future I guess.

Turin

 Still hot but we wondered around Turin this morning. Here are a few pictures.

Back in the hotel room in the heat of the afternoon - headed out soon for Aperativo.

Made it to Turin

 Long day of train rides and it’s bloody hot here in Turin. Don’t know if we’ll get to my list because, well it’s bloody hot (mid 90’s) and I don’t think hiking or biking are wise ideas. Will work on alternatives (think museums) later tonight. In the mean time

Modena in Pictures

 A few pictures from Modena

Auito!

 It’s hot here.

We were originally going to go for a bike ride today to tour some balsamic producers, but it’s too hot. Instead Fran and I hopped a train to Parma.

I’m sure the above photos are duplicated some where else - this was at least our third trip to Parma. Not big by city standards but bigger than we remembered. 

We’d had a meal in Parma probably 15 years ago here.  Fran was sick and it was her first meal back I’d ordered a bean soup and it was the only thing that tasted good to her so he ate my soup! Didn’t eat here again this time but it was fun to run into it 

Modena and the hike that wasn’t

 Unlike in the Dolomites (or most places), hikes are not well marked here around Modena. We went looking for one today. Directions were pretty clear. We marched to the edge of the city but couldn’t find the trail head. We tried several false starts. It was hot as hell and we couldn’t get off pavement. Finally we just gave up after seven miles of searching for a trail head. Got a strong urban walk in but not an enjoyable hike in the country side. Supposed to be hotter tomorrow so I’m not sure what we’ll do.

Traveling to Modena.

 Longest travel day of our trip, except for airplane flughts. About 5 hours.

Bored already and we’ve only been on the road for 30 minutes. Would rather be hiking. 

Quick food post

 I haven’t done many food posts lately but don’t worry we’re not starving. Here’s my lunch today:

Hey gimme a break we’re practically in Austria!

Wald‑Wild‑Wunder‑Weg (“Forest–Wildlife–Wonder Trail”)

We thought about doing a spa day to today but we can do that anytime…how many chances to you get to hike in the Dolomites?

Today’s hike started with a walk up to and through an “interpretive area” designed for kids. You know “Wally the Woodpecker” and “Frankie the Fox” stops that explain the local wild life. We didn’t really read the educational stuff but each spot had a play toy that was fun:

It was actually a beautiful walk through the forest, even with all the educational materials. Then we emerged into farmlands and meadows eventually winding our way back to the starting point of Oberbozen. Here are a few pics from our journey:

A hike above Bolzano

 A few pictures from our hike on the 19th above Bolzano. Easy in a way (wide paths free of roots and rocks) and hard in others (steep hills and switchbacks). All with beautiful views of vineyards and the city of Bolzano.