The view from our hotel room in the hills behind Portofino on the Ligurian coast, 495 miles from Peschici.
A great drive for the first 300 miles then the snow started. I'm coming to the belief that the overhead information signs on the Autostrade are for the entertainment of motorists.
As we drove North we kept seeing signs for an abandoned vehicle at Pescara Nord. The first time we saw the info, Pescara Nord was still about 6o miles ahead. As we got closer the signs became more frequent. And then Pescara Nord; nothing, not even a broken down Piaggia.
Then a new sign - "Snow ends at Parma". What snow ? We're still driving in the dry, but then gentle flakes begin to fall.
"Ah well, It'll end in 80 miles at Parma".
The snow gets heavier and at Parma we turn off on to the Autostrade to La Spezia. The motorway is closed so we exit and ask the policeman on duty.
"Where are you going to ?"
La Spezia
"Four wheel drive "
No
"Chains"
Yes
"OK = be careful"
and waves us back onto the motorway for a 60 mile journey from hell.
Arrive at the hotel 90 minutes late and get stuck in a snowdrift when we park.
Today is a short hop to Rapallo and then 80 miles to Menton.
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