Lined up for Ducati, Bologna
Zagan the motorhome’s tucked into a large car park within sight of the walls of the Ducati factory in Bologna (N44.51571 E11.27288). We’ve had a ‘down day’ today, as we got word Ducati can fit us into the factory tour tomorrow morning, so we made good use of the facilities before wandering over here this afternoon. We’ll kip here tonight, once again a stone’s throw from a graveyard.
Ducati factory, Bologna
Having access to fast WiFi this morning, we took the opportunity to do some more Skype, and then to record a video trying to capture a bit of what’s going on inside our noggins as our madcap financial freedom plan pans out. Here it is, warts and all.
Apart from that, not much to report. The drive over here had us passing a few roaring Ferraris (coming the other way) and the scene of a crash which had left a car on its roof with a fire crew working on it. There appeared to be no-one inside, just flapping air bags, so hopefully they’d gotten away with it.
Tomorrow, Ducati. The tours have to be booked, and Ju has got us in just after 9am (they were full today). No photos allowed in the factory, but I’ll no-doubt grab a few in the museum. I was, once upon a time, a biker, but after my last machine ended up this shape (see below, TRX850, low-sided into a kerb, written off two weeks before our wedding), I’ve stuck to driving motorhomes! One day I may go back, who knows. I’m very much looking forward to seeing how the bikes are made tomorrow (WOOHOO!!!), and checking out the steeds, the likes of which carried Carl Fogarty to fame.
I wasn’t hooning about, honestly. The back tyre was down a few PSI from a recent track day, which might have been enough to have be off on a slight downhill corner…
Cheers, Jay
Interested that you are heading up to the ‘top’ of Norway eventually this year – we went as far as Sweden a couple of years ago – will be interested to see where and how you find ‘wild’ campings in Sweden, we were obviously not very good at it and aid every night:-(
Great to hear Charlie snoring all the way through your video! Good luck and enjoy yourselves. Thanks for sharing all this with us.
Been following you guys for a few months and really enjoy reading about your lifestyle and adventures. Your story is a real inspiration to Denise & I. We are in our early 50s and have just bought a motor home, We have 102 working days left before we both retire early from busy jobs. Cannot wait to get out and about in Europe and make our own trail of Lidl wine box destruction. Great video keep em coming.
Fantastic! I’ll have a word with my Lidl contacts and get them to stock up. I can highly recommend the red (or white or rose), and the Spanish versions is definitely the best (or French or Italian)l thanks for the encouragement, keep pushing on, those last working days will be gone in no time, then it’s onto salad days! Cheers, Jay
My grandfather was born in Bologna, but I have never visited it myself, it is on my list of places to visit one day. My husband is a biker and he was very keen for me to learn, I gave it my best shot, he bought me a Ducati Monster to inspire me on, but eventually I realised that it was not for me. But he loves it and continues to ride his bikes, but I prefer to let him do the work and I just sit in the back and enjoy the ride.
Hi Gilda. I might go back to biking one day, but I need to calm down a bit first. I lost count of the number of times I’ve used my 9 lives up! The feeling of utter concentration nipping around tracks is one I’ll never forget. Enjoy the pillion! Cheers, Jay
yep….know the feeling of coming off the bike…..we havent got back on one since coming off in Forsano near Cueno
I think what ” normal ” folk don’t realise is that you don’t have to slave away all your life, and that there are always alternatives no matter what your budget and that, particularly in Europe, there are an amazing amount of folks of all ages touring around in all types of campers and motorhomes, One of our pastimes is walking around campsites in Southern Spain and seeing and speaking to all the different nationalities who have abdicated out of the said normal life.
You’re right Steve. There is a shift in consciousness needed to step off the treadmill. Something has to happen to make that shift take place though, and my guess is that ‘something’ just doesn’t happen for most folks. Cheers, Jay
Both of you keep on with the blogs. It really is a pleasure to view them. Jay perhaps we should make you prime minister with your down to earth outlook on life!!