Motorcycle Explorer December 2014 Issue 3 | Page 226

O
n again in a long sleeved shirt this time
for welcome relief from the burning heat, after
another stop for water and Fanta, we refuel.
Disaster! John, in his heat addled state has
filled with diesel. Even a Vmax doesn’t run well
on it, so, through sign language and a little
halting Italian, we make the attendants
understand and fetch a tube and bottle as we
attempt to syphon 12 litres from the tank.
Park in the shade, gear off, boots off, helmet
off, pace the forecourt and drain another 2
bottles of Fanta. John’s in shorts, t’shirt and
sandals, not exactly the safest gear for the
‘strada, but we’re all in loose cotton tops or t-
shirts. It’s unbearably hot and the sun
continues to beat down mercilessly. He’s a
mess of sweat and snobs as the tank is finally
drained and refilled and we take a little further
refuge from the sun and enjoy the respite
while we gather ourselves for the final assault.
Once more into the breach, a further stretch of
the dreaded ‘strada and we’re finally at our
destination of Novi Liguri, a busy little
industrial town just off the motorway. Looping
around the one way system once or twice, we
eventually find our hotel. A faded, once
glorious façade, leads on to gently dignified
rooms. There’s no-one on duty, the kitchens
closed, but the night porter is prevailed upon
to feed us. After a lightning fast shower, we’re
sat with knives and forks at the ready. We have
the first three starters and the first three pasta
courses on the menu, keeping it simple and
signifying we’d like to share them between us.
The waiter seems pleased with our choice and
brings us a fine selection of cold meats with
delicious fresh pasta, accompanied by the local
Gavi wine. He’s enjoying us, enjoying the food,
so we ask him to choose three deserts and are
rewarded by a selection of delicate, delicious
sweets to finish. Thoroughly sated, we leave
him a big tip for his trouble, leave the now
empty restaurant and hit the hay.
We’re up early the next day to beat the midday
sun, down the now cool ‘strada and the Med
hovers into view. We follow the Autoroute du
Soleil. Dancing through endless cooling
tunnels, stunning glimpses of a glistening Med
to our left, the hills of Liguria to our right.