Day One – Tuscany 2015
Ah, Tuscany. The land of rolling hills, divine cuisine, and irresistible charm. Our holiday started with a leisurely twist, which, given our penchant for dawn flights, felt downright decadent. Usually, we’re bleary-eyed and half-awake on the first flight out of the UK, but this time, we sauntered off to Liverpool Airport for a midday flight to Pisa.
A Leisurely Departure
Leaving home at the civilised hour of 09:00 meant we got to see Lewis before we left. His 10:00 start gave us a rare morning moment with him. It felt odd, though, heading off without him. While we’ll miss him, I suspect he’ll be perfectly happy enjoying his freedom from us!
The drive to Liverpool is a doddle, especially in the morning traffic – just an hour at most. We parked up in our usual long-stay car park, a brisk five-minute walk from the terminal. Security was a breeze, taking a mere five minutes. This left Michele ample time to indulge in ‘Duty Free,’ where she topped up her perfume stash. No doubt, we’ll make another stop there on our way back!
Airport Antics and Delays
We boarded the plane ten minutes before take-off, which in hindsight, was an omen of delays. As soon as the doors closed, the stewardess announced a 50-minute delay for reasons that eluded me. So, we waited. Michele had to endure a teenager kicking her seat from behind, adding a touch of tension to the wait.
By the time we finally took off, we were 70 minutes behind schedule. Ryanair, your service is truly unparalleled!
The flight to Pisa is just over two hours. The skies over the Channel were clear, offering a view of bustling shipping lanes. The Alps, still capped with snow, looked majestic under the clear sky. A swift descent down the Mediterranean coast, and we touched down in Pisa.
Arriving in Pisa and Car Troubles
Pisa greeted us with warm weather. We headed straight to Hertz for our pre-booked car. Our Lancia wasn’t available, so they offered us a choice between a Fiat Punto and a Fiat 500. I had my eye on the Fiat 500 initially but was put off by the cost. Now, getting it at the same price as the Punto – happy days indeed!
The drive from Pisa to Park Albatross took just under an hour and involved a €6.80 road toll. Our trusty Tom-Tom SatNav guided us directly to the campsite, where we arrived just before 19:00. We met the Canvas Holiday Rep, checked in, and headed to our 2-bed caravan, pitch number 46 on Via Levante. It was a cosy, clean, and tidy pitch. Michele’s usual question, “Is it a sunny pitch?” was met with a reassuring “Yes.”
Settling In and Satisfying Cravings
After unpacking, our first mission was food and beer – or “birra” as the locals call it. We made a quick stop at the camp shop for milk and other essentials before they closed at 20:00. Then, it was off to dinner. The campsite boasts two restaurants: a traditional Italian and a buffet. Naturally, we chose the Italian.
We were seated quickly but the service was a tad slow. No worries, except for the delay in bringing my draught Birra Moretti. We all opted for pizza. Josh, ever the conservative eater, chose a margherita. Michele went for ham and mushroom (prosciutto e funghi), not exactly a bold choice either. I, however, indulged in a local Tuscan sausage and onion pizza. We also ordered a portion of fries, which were disappointingly subpar. Another Moretti for me, and then it was back to the caravan. The bill? A very reasonable €40.70.
Nightcap and Bedtime
A quick nightcap of another Moretti for Michele and me, and then it was off to bed. Knackered doesn’t begin to describe how we felt. Day one in Tuscany, despite its hiccups, ended on a high note.
