Duckies enjoyed their rest and were really hesitant to leave this nice hotel, but we had to go.

The problem we see with this new direction, now that we’ve passed the knee of Italy, is that the prevailing summer winds will now be in our face.  Nevertheless, the wind was cool to the close to 80 degree temps we started in this morning along with the rest of the Genova commuters.

Still sights of see on the way out of the city and besides the immediate downhill from the hotel door, the climbing began right awayonly to drop to a boardwalk we enjoyed for a mile or two. Getting out of the city was much easier than getting in, but still as impressive.We climbed the beautiful green hillsand dropped back to the sea only to climband climb and climb then drop again.  We wove our way through small towns and narrow streets.It was in one such town we ran into Giovanni;could have talked for hours, but we were all on riding missions.

Seems odd to be mentioning snow with palm trees around, but guess it happens as we’ve seen this sign nummours times.  The ride today was spectacularly gorgeous,gruelingand ear-popping tough. Five hours out with less than four hours on the bike seat, but only 30 miles accomplished; it was a tough ride, but OH so beautiful.Though we’ll feel it tomorrow, wouldn’t have traded today’s ride.

Found a hotel in a two square block town, perfect after the hustle, bustle and noise of the big city.  A plate of grilled vegetablestwo bowls of pasta, bottle of wine and basket of bread and we were ready to turn in; tomorrow’s ride it supposed to be worse.  But on our short stroll back, the Wine & Jazz Festival (we’d seen posters for) was in full swing.  Of course it’s a small town, so full swing meant one table doing a “sparkling wine” tasting (not allowed to call in Champagne-it’s a French thing), so naturally we tried it.  The sommeliers were a lot of fun (especially enjoyed Maurizia) and the pours (in a very nice wine glass) very generous. Four glasses later, plus a glass of Grappa Millesimata (similar to cognac only made from grape pulp), we stumbled to bed.  The evening was cool, so opened the doors and were serenaded to sleep by the jazz musicians still playing.