Author Archives: Karen Cresswell

The 39th historical re-enactment of the race of the Red Arrow where 375 cars in various categories follow the 1000 Miglia 2021 route from Brescia to Roma and back. Stage 1 Brescia to Vireggio, Stage 2 Vireggio to Roma Stage 3 Roma to Bologna and Stage 4 Bologna to Brescia.   It is the biggest classic carContinue reading “The 1000 Miglia 2021”

The Franciscan Convent of the Osservanza, located in Radicondoli originally built in 1494 today houses a renowned music school. To demonstrate their talents, they are participants in Radicondoli Festival with individual events scheduled from mid-July to mid-August.  The festival is a long and prestigious tradition, which enjoys an international resonance. It was born in 1986 andContinue reading “Radicondoli Festival”

This time it was a mountain bike ride.  18 miles with 50% going up hill!! Blimey it was hard.  Ok you could argue ‘what about the downhill’ but believe me this was not pleasant as it was on gravel, stoney roads and I was slipping and sliding down most of it.  Taking my past into account (having accidentsContinue reading “Yes, another bike ride (so many more to come)”

Thought I would share some photos of Casole D’Elsa.  Love this place, it is slightly larger than Radicondoli, but not by much and seems to be our go to place for local meat.  Our latest outing to this idyllic village was to pick-up some meat and local vegetables in preparation for home cooking.  We can’t be going outContinue reading “Just chilling”

Now for some downtime as it says in my title ‘it is life not a holiday’.   Yes, we still have to do the washing and cleaning!! However what else do I do in my downtime? Well, there is always the Italian to learn, I am using a mixture of Rosetta Stone, Duolingo and coffee breakContinue reading “Questa e vita non vacanza”

Siena is only 40 minutes away from us, therefore visiting this wonderful medieval city could not be easier.  Just outside the city are parking areas specifically for campervans and only a 20 minute walk into the city.  We headed for the fan shaped central square, Piazza del Campo with the cities 17 historic contrade (districts) extending outwardsContinue reading “Visit to Siena”

Building my confidence up is key to increasing my ability and to reaching the cycling level I want to achieve.  Since my ski accident, I am fully aware of my fragility which has dramatically affected my confidence. Being overzealous and the desire to take risks was the cause of my past misfortunes. However, a lack ofContinue reading “My Cycling Challenges”

Our first venture out on the road bikes was to pop to the butchers!  This was into Casole d’Elsa, 23 miles with an overall climb of 2300 ft over the rolling Tuscan hills.  An adventure as I hadn’t been out on my road bike, on the actual roads, for about 2 years, only doing indoor Zwift intervalContinue reading “Our time in Radicondoli”

We headed for Courmeyour which is literally the other side of the tunnel and then onto a beautiful surreal campsite nested in the Alp mountains at a leisure area called Val de Veny.  The most peaceful and picturesque place we could ever ask for.  All pitched up for 3 days of rest and to enjoy the mountains.Continue reading “We are in Italy”

We planned to leave the UK on the 31st May however Covid ruled again.  The Indian variant of the virus (now known as Delta) caused concern in Europe and subsequently the French border was due to close for non-essential travel as of the 31st May.  We rebooked our Eurotunnel for the 29th May and made for the French border.  PCR resultContinue reading “Our departure”