Italy. Day Two. MonteCassino.

Having woken up after a great night's sleep and having to acclimatise to where we actually are. Breakfast awaits. So plenty of coffee and amazing pastries later we decided to relax and take in the air, it was so fresh and clean it was invigorating and got us ready for the days driving. Having decided against Naples and the Amalfi coast. Simply because the former held no interest for Alda. Because I think she read about the catacombs and my insistence on driving through Scampia and seeing Le Vele Scampia. Having been previously in 2018 when It took me three harsh refusals before I found a taxi driver to go there. I guess it's simply territorial and the refusers actually were 'unofficially' not allowed into the area. And the latter being a whole days drive around the beautiful, but very slow coast route. Which I've done before anyway. It's slow because you just have to stop and take in all the views especially around Positano. Which 30 years ago was a place worth visiting. Don't get me wrong. It is now. But now, as everywhere it's full of stupid tourists. Smart phones and selfies. Social Media has a lot to answer for with the over tourism of far too many places

So, onto Roma.

Decided to make one detour, to a place I had always wanted to see MonteCassino.

This is the place my Grandfather had fought in the WW2. So I always wanted to see the place. Up closer it's amazing to see. The thought of those men fighting up that mountain when you see it is something unbelievable. Given my grandfather only had one eye since aged 8 was more remarkable. He was also North African army boxing champion before they headed north for that battle . I simply cannot imagine the horrors he witnessed and never spoke about. Fighting up that mountain.

After a short walk through the towns main street really not noticing anything other than the mountain with the Abbey at the top and thinking about the horrible loss of life and how close I must have come to actually never existing at all. And how many didn't make it and how many people don't exist today because of this four month long battle.

Back to the 328 and started north on the E45 towards Rome.

This car, so far, hasn't missed a beat. Considering it's six year exile in a Sicilian garage..it's still in remarkable condition and actually in better condition than when I left it. Thank you Sabino.

I actually amazed by the way it drives. For a 29 year old car. It drives beautifully. The steering is incredible and has so much feel and positivity and reminds you how a car should be.

The pull of the 170 BHP straight six is really great in any gear. It's torque is something you can actually use to pull away from a tight roundabout, confident in the rear wheel drive traction to accelerate early out of the corner. Leaving today's run of the mill, small engined cars crying for gear changes and over revving.

The seating position and controls are just perfect. You sit straight. The steering wheel directly in front of you and you actually become part of the car.

What are manufacturers thinking about today?

You don't get many cars that give you all this today. I love modern cars and what they offer. But they don't offer this experience

The only thing about it that doesn't help the journey is the wind noise. The 29 year old cloth roof does allow that noise to get bad . But it's not spoiling the experience..

We decided to stop in a place called Frascati. South of Rome. From there we could decide what to do in this amazing city. We booked a place and set Google maps to find it. Unfortunately it was at the very end of a very narrow one way street. Blocked at the end ?? so we reversed down after an exploratory walk to see where the hotel entrance was. As you can see below

We rang the doorbell as it was locked. But clearly marked on the door as the correct place. Nothing!

Tried the number of the text message we received as confirmation. Nothing!

Eventually we received a message telling us that actually this property was booked full. Please go to the hotel, Belvedere on the Piazza Roma. One of the main squares.

Now it was dark and the thought of trying to navigate through these tiny streets wasn't appealing. But we needed somewhere to stay and had already paid.

We eventually found the place but it didn't have parking so we had to then find the parking they recommended and walk. I remember being quite frustrated but it very quickly faded when we saw the room and view over Rome. And the fact that it was next to Frascati railway station. Which was down an awful lot of steps so we actually couldn't hear or see the trains The view over Rome was distant but amazing.

After the initial issues We took a walk to the car and had a look around. And being this close to the station we decided to book an extra night and spend a day in Rome tomorrow. Would absolutely recommend this place to stay for quick visit to Rome. If that's possible.