Glaring at a Laptop in Montefiascone

Dave the motorhome expected today to be on his merry way to Tarquinia, an ancient place which plays host to an Etruscan city of the dead, the Necropolis of Monterozzi. Instead, he’s had a rest and we’re still alongside the gleaming silver water-to-wine makers of the vinerie next door, or whatever they’re called.

Montefiascone welcomes the motorhomers of this world. Two other Italian vans are well settled in alongside us.

Today we did some work. Steady yourselves dear readers! That’s right, several hours of doing something productive(ish) rather than wandering about the place staring at things, apologising for not speaking language x or pulling an oblivious Charlie out of the path of oncoming cars. So what, I hear you mumble, you lazy so and so’s, you guys have no doubt put in a 60 hour week and now have the weekend’s work to look forward to!

Shot of the Montefiascone Duomo under brooding skies. As I walked past mourners gathered at the door.

Well, before we set off travelling we read the blogs of other travellers, the first question always being ‘how can they afford to do this’? The answer for us was that we worked, had no kids, took jobs which placed us time and again outside our comfort zones, had some luck, and made enough money to take a break, a long one. Coupled with the fact life wandering Europe in a motorhome has turned out cheaper than we imagined, we’d accumulated enough cash in the bank to travel for maybe an entire two years without working.

If you come to Italy between 1pm and 4pm, expect to see many shops looking like this – Chiuso – Closed.

The initial euphoria of freedom, no work, no boss, no deadline, did wear away over the months. We found ourselves putting more effort into this blog, writing a book to going to Morocco, and another which we’re close to publishing (thanks to our friends who volunteered to edit, you’re heroes!). We’ve picked up other work which will help reverse the endless depletion of our coffers too, and have spent the day beavering away on it. How did it feel? For me at least, frustrating, but I work in IT, which seems to just have that affect on me! The feeling of pulling in a few €s is a good one though, after so long.

Walking the dog. He has zero road sense and would survive about 5 minutes without his lead.

In a break from our old lifestyle, I did manage to get out for lunch, dragging a reluctant Charlie around the sodden streets of Montefiascone, getting lost and going around in circles. The town is much the same as the last time we were here, a pretty little core surrounded by concrete (earthquake-proof) low blocks of flats, houses and shops, which quickly dissipate into flowing countryside. Today’s grey though, and the views are muted. Tomorrow, with any luck, we’ll get back on the road, one day’s work is enough for me for now, slacker that I am!

Walking Italian hill towns is a bit like bull running, with the horned creatures replaced with unstoppable BMW 7 series and flying Fiat Pandas.

Cheers, Jay