We woke up early to start our day trip to Mornico Losana. We ate a good breakfast and headed down to parking lot 3 to retrieve our car and drive it back up through the town into the square to load our things. Guy asked me if I wanted a gelato for the road, but I declined as my veins are running thick with chocolate already. We hit the road about 10:30 and started our drive. Plenty of traffic on the roads and was drizzling most of the way. We planned a lunch stop in Sestri Levante, but when we arrived we didn't see the area we thought we would (a Cinque Terre type town) but drove down to the marina for a look around. By this time, it was pouring and the wind was blowing and there was no way we'd venture out into this, so we headed back for the autostrada and went to plan B for lunch.
We've driven this area before and I remembered there would be tunnels (I like to call them tubes of death) but we went through at least 30 long tunnels. The traffic was pretty heavy in this area as well, so both hands on the wheel. This area is gorgeous with mountains all along the coastline of the mediterranean with terra-cotta speckled houses dotting the hillsides. We contemplated a stop in Rapallo for lunch as we have stayed there twice before, but it is still pouring and we knew we'd be eating a large meal at the Arabella tonight. So we opted for a pullover at the Autogrille. These are the gas stations that have restaurants all along the autostrada, so we've stopped at them before. They have fresh made sandwiches and all kinds of snacks and fun pastas, etc. This ain't your ordinary Shell station. :) So we got two foccoicia bread ham and cheese sandwiches and some Cokes and headed for the car. We had a quick picnic and I forgot to get a photo of our "lunch". :) They were quite yummy.
Arriving at the Arabella, we visited with Paul outside for awhile and then took us to our room. It is really lovey. No air, but we have screens on our windows and it has been one of those drizzly cool days where the air is heavy and damp. The night air should feel good. Our room has its own bathroom, which is a new remodel at the Arabella this past spring. We are staying in the "blue room" and it has a great view. After settling in, we went down to the pool area which is going to be wonderful for Guy. It has a changing room, a tiled outdoor shower, and a kitchen. Paul will make sure Guy has some food for lunch. The road isn't safe for him to walk up to the top of the town where I will be. My class includes lunch at Miriam's house and Guy can eat lunch at the Arabella. He has plenty of books to read. Paul has offered to take him around anywhere he'd like to go. So that is very nice, but if the weather can clear up, Guy's plan is to lay by the pool. Paul did tell us there was an "outlet" mall about 30 minutes from here and they had all kinds of Italian made things for 70% off. I think my class is over by 3pm, so we may head one evening there to check it out. I'd like to find a nice pair of boots for next winter. He said they have clothes, shoes and housewares. **I'm intrigued** :)
It is 7pm and we are going to go get freshened up for dinner. Paul said he'd like us to come down for drinks around 7:30 and we'd eat at 8pm. He has been back in the kitchen working around for the past hour, so we'll see what he comes up with....Ok, back with a report on dinner. Paul made us bruschetta served with local salami. Then we got spinach gnocchi (ranking very high on my list of gnocchis I've eaten on the trip!) then we were served seabass with veggies. For dessert we had a layered raspberry tiramisu with cookies (I didn't get a photo as I dove and and ate it before I realized I fogot to take a picture!) It was amazing. Paul is quite the chef and we were impressed with our dinner tonight. What a treat! So now I'm going to bed early in preparation for my glass class for tomorrow. Fingers crossed all goes well with Miriam tomorrow. I'm a bit nervous.
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