Nice to Genoa and then Pisa

We had a stop in Nice (just to the west) for four days. We had to get an oil change, a brake check. I can see how the French would appreciate having this lovely resort on their own coast. The water is the kind of blue you usually see in melt water pools on pack in the arctic (as seen on TV). The water looks cold, and I think it’s the effect of both the blue sky, and the white reflected from the Alps that gives it its astonishing colour. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nice

Coming down into Nice and Canne

We had a Thai meal out one night, a very long walk along the sea front and we took some pictures, nothing more adventurous that that. Oh and we went to a proper mall, just like anything you can imagine back at home, same brands, same trappings, same internationally recognised faces of said brands ... whatever.

Alps Looming Large

After paying €381 for said oil change (parts available in a local supermarket for under €50) we left and headed for Genoa. We actually ended up specifically in Bogliasco a district/town within the Genoa Municipality,  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogliasco. Bogliasco a place of prettiness so far un-matched anywhere we have been. It has however rendered our calf muscles properly broken for two days so far, but it was worth it. We walked a stretch of the Aurelian Way which is now a beautiful promenade hanging of the cliffs from Bogliasco and here and there along other sections of Italy’s coast, this road is ancient (see link) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Via_Aurelia. Marcus Aurelia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius ... you know you know the name from somewhere "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next." Maximus Decimus Meridius

One of the Stunning Seafront Buildings of Nice

Leaving Nice the Pretty Way

From Bogliasco we have driven as far as Pisa (about five miles from the tower), we passed the Marble Quarries of Carrara http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrara, these have been in use since pre-Roman times and they are vast even at a distance.

Satnav Tried to Bring us up Here 

Aurelian Way Bridge (probably a reconstruction of the original Roman one)

Bogliasco (where the houses end up top is where the campsite is ... fifty storys all steps)

Aurelian Way

Marble Quarries

Raw Uncooked Marble

Appenines

We are now at the start of the Appenine Mountain range ready to head to Rome http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apennine_Mountains. We are as up to date on blogging as we can be. Videos and stuff will wait for May when I have processing power, memory and quick internet.