Write Up The Italian Job......2017 style.

[Althulas]

Thanks for sharing, glad your having a great time and hope the rest of your holiday goes just as well.

 

[DavidM]

Nice write up

Why the disagree @DavidM

Sorry, @Paul Rice - I’ve fixed this - think I must have it the x symbol with my finger whilst scrolling down the page.

 

[Uncle_Clanger]

Nice write up of what looks like a lovely trip.

 

[andyglym]

Great write-up and pics.

 

[Shelly]

What a lovely write up
Glad you enjoyed your stay
Some great photos

 

[N4LLY]

Most excellent

 

[Lazzzydog]

Thanks for sharing, glad your having a great time and hope the rest of your holiday goes just as well.

Thanks. I have not made it clear but we got home Friday afternoon.

 

[Lazzzydog]

The army visit kicked off with a presentation and speeches after these we looked at some static displays of their gear followed by a talk by the camp commander highlighting his career and postings up to the present day. This was followed by more speeches and presentations to this years charities. Livorno had been hit by serious flooding only a couple of weeks ago and some funds were diverted to help the victims. There were several casualties in the floods and one family lost 3 members including young children. After this we were fed in the mess hall and the rest of the day was ours.

 

[Lazzzydog]

An afternoon wandering around Livorno was our plan of action but on the walk back to the car we got invited onto an unofficial run over the hills behind Livorno to see a disused racetrack from the 1930's where Nuvolari was the Hero of the day. A local called Enrico was to be our guide and there was to be about 12 of us. We set off and we only numbered 5 but Enrico did not seem phased. Once out of town we pulled up at a junction partially blocking it and everyone got out for a chat! Oh no problemo, we are waiting for the others, which we did for about 15 minutes.

 

[Lazzzydog]

The others arrived and we carried on round 2 corners to pull up in a huge lay-by to photograph the view over Livorno!

 

[Lazzzydog]

Photos taken we shot off leaving the ones we had waited for behind! The road was narrow, twisty but great fun to drive in convoy. After a few miles we dropped downhill to a 90 degree right and pulled off onto a big lay-bys on the outside apex. It turns out we had actually been driving the track for a few miles as it was a road circuit similar to the Isle of Man. Apparently this corner is dedicated to Nuvolari who used to take it broadside on full opposite lock.

 

[Lazzzydog]

That was a great ride out with some great company but time was getting on so we had to get back, rest up and get booted and suited for the main event....The James Bond Gala Ball.
In true Italian fashion we had to hang around outside before being allowed into the restaurant which had been transformed into a casino for the night. Good news as it was a good chance for a photo

with a Bond spec Z3.

 

[Lazzzydog]

While waiting a couple approached us and started chatting and asked if we were not sitting with anyone would we like to join them and another couple? They are sickeningly good looking, charming and excellent company. Their names are Marco and Leanora.

 

[Lazzzydog]

In the casino we had a table for 6 with our 2 new friends and their friends Roberto and Patricia who soon became our new friends also. Stephano took the microphone again for a few words (make that a lot of words.lol) Gianni the club President said his stuff and I think the Admiral had a quick go too and the night was underway. The Bond theme played, the lights dimmed and several 007's appeared from the shadows to have a shoot out around the gaming tables.

 

[Lazzzydog]

The wine flowed freely and several courses of food were consumed and then it was time for the gambling. Everyone had a complimentary "chip" but more were available to buy. There were no cash prizes but whoever won the most got a free pass for 2 to next years event. Second prize was a tablet but sadly we got nowhere near them.

 

[Lazzzydog]

Jeano losing our house, car and shirt off my back.

 

[Lazzzydog]

Roberto.

 

[Lazzzydog]

Gianni on the left, Stephano on the right.

 

[Lazzzydog]

Italian style

 

[Lazzzydog]

This is the charming David who answered our original email after Gianni got his English tutor to translate the weekends itinary into English for us. If anyone comes with us next year it is likely David you will correspond with as his English is probably better than ours. He is genuinely helpful and constantly cheerful and an all round good egg.