Been there, done that. A more than common phrase. Ironically, often repeated. Something we try not to do. Prefer the new. Even if it is old.
With around eight thousand cities, towns and villages to choose from, Italy leaves us plenty of scope. No excuse then – none offered.
With scopes set on Piacenza and Cremona we set ourselves up. Align our sights. Make sure we aim in the right direction. Don’t want to miss the target. Home. 28th October. [Read that before?]
We target a coffee and cake. An excuse for a walk and talk. Into and out of Piacenza. Hits the spot. Does just that. Then it’s onwards and upwards for a two-nighter.
Parco al Po, on the outskirts of Cremona, is our first venture onto a supposedly fully automated camp site. Fenced and gated. Entrance only by use of a contact-less card. Machine issued at a push of a button in front of the gate. At one Euro per hour stay, it’s reasonable. It’s welcome too. All other local sites now closed for the season.
An elevated cycle route skirts camp. As does the River Po. Leaves us no option. A fine morning forecast. A good excuse to go pedal. We head east for forty five. Then return west. Go nowhere in particular. An opportunity to try something new. My 360’s video feature. It’s a bit weird. Like me. A weird old whacko riding one handed with his other arm aloft. Scary for onlookers. But quite cool – IMHO. Like a normal 360 you can drag the image anywhere while it plays – but best on a PC using a mouse.
If the heart of the super-car lies in Modena, then the heart of any orchestra can be found in its string section. More specifically in Cremona. Lombardia region. That started beating in 1644. As did Antonio Stradivari’s for 73 years.
Our love and knowledge of string pieces starts and ends with The Lark Ascending and Adagio for Strings. Occasionally gets topped up by a score from an enigmatic or romantic film. Another Italian – Ennio Morricone’s composed some of our favourites. We decide to change all that. Go spend the afternoon in the Museo del Violino. Go learn a thing or two. See how they’re crafted. Hear how they’re played. It’s mind blowingly fascinating. Heart warming. Being made aware of another’s dedication and skill does that.
