Bologna/Lugano

 Back in early spring, I remember thinking how lucky those spectators at the Tour de France are. 

About 3 minutes later, I asked, “why not me?”

So I decided to take the direct route.....through Italy. 

Hometown airport on a summer Saturday…bumper to bumper. 

A window seat for the short hop to Seattle….always good to see Mt. Hood up close and personal. 

Worried about the transfer in Amsterdam, lots of history with labor strikes and crowds. No big deal, I’m thru quickly….but the air conditioning in the terminal is missing in action. 

Finally on the ground in Bologna. 

Dinner was quite welcomed. That wine…

Next day walkabout, and I see another name I’ve been reading about since 1975. 

The climb to San Luca is an ambitious one!

The Portico with 666 arches….the last 2000 meters is a hellacious climb. 

In 2024, the Tour de France made this climb twice on a stage…..10% grade with sections up to 18%, just obnoxious. 

Lovely sanctuary up top. 

I love Europe….and food. 

My AirBnb did the colors well. 

Fantastic food here….ok, I opened two bags and a jar to make pancetta gnocchi Bolognese. It was damned good.  

The University of Bologna is the oldest secondary school in the West, over 1000 years. But their recent engineering shortcomings on a 100 degree day are apparent, with these packaged A/C units…that’s a whole lot a room for hot air to come inside. 

The best pizza I’ve ever had!! (Sorry, Times Square street vendors)

On my way for fresh baguettes (a regular occurrence), I walk past this lovely church. 

Roasting temps, 3 digits. Kept as cool as possible and did what I could. 

Next up; the train thru the Alps…

Oh wow…the feeling of these cool European towns and cities!!!

I passed on AirBnb for a small hotel room with a lakeside view…very good call. Lugano might be more scenic than Annecy, and that’s saying much. 

Didn’t want a huge meal, so I found a very salty chicken sando on the waterfront. 

Not many Argentinians here. 

Norway did a great job in the World Cup, especially this guy (guys?). 

Missed a Bavarian pretzel on my last trip. 

The Hotel International is worth it.

Some idiot was seen doing resistance band lunges along the water. 

Dude had a nice vacation here 100 years ago. 

So pretty…

Dinner looks fancy….cold roast beef with bougie stuff. Tasted ok, I can do as well at home for a whole lot less money! But the restaurant was up high, so the views were worth it. 

I’ll be coming back here!

London

Final destination incoming!

Eurostar does meals well. 

Nice cityscape downtown. 

I'd like to talk with their advertising folk. 

The Queen's row barge?!?

This is why they call it 'The Shard.'

Borough Market never disappoints!

First London apartment was a dump, so I bailed and found a better place. 

Time to do some budget shopping. 

Got me some of these already!!

A hotel old fashioned that was amazing, as were the best corn nuts I ever had. 

Okay, this was rich....hordes of men dressed like this, some with umbrellas to top off the look. 

Asked one guy what was up. "We had a military parade in Hyde Park, which is why we're dressed like idiots."

This is what I call a coffee maker!

Leave the Westminster tube station and run into Big Ben. 

Churchill's War Rooms: a fascinating underground bunker. 

The Plant Room; of course, I was fascinated by the power distribution setup!

The original 10 Downing Street door. Unfortunately, I couldn't get close to the current one!

This gem was in the gift shop wartime recipe book. 

Huge entourage formed outside, probably two dozen vehicles. Yep....Princess Kate on the way to the Dollar Store or something. 

And a David Letterman lookalike. 

The Royal Albert Hall. 

Sir Winston, Sir David, Sir George....and Sinatra snuck an appearance, too. 

I mean, come ON: Barry White and Quincy?!?

I missed Paul Simon by a day. 

Sat in Princess Diana's family box. Sorry, no pix: there was a rehearsal in progress, and the very proper (and snobby) tour guide would not allow cameras inside the bowl. 

I freaked out when I saw Nile Rodgers......(see what I did there?)

King James was here....I'll see him in a couple of months. 

I love my Bucket List, and I'm crossing items off with regularity. Here was a big one, the site of Roger Bannister's barrier busting 4 minute mile in Oxford. 

A follow-on race 3 months later pitted Bannister against Aussie John Landy, who by then had broken Bannister's record. In their match race, Landy was leading out of the final turn when he snuck a peak behind. At that moment, Bannister burst past on the other side and took the race.

A college buddy's BFF Karen, from Central City Nebraska, now lives in Maidenhead....she had a job near Oxford on my last day, so I took the train up to the track, paid my respects, then met up with her for lunch and a lovely drive back to town. 

She mentioned that Sir Nicholas Winton lived in Maidenhead and was immortalized at the train station. 

That was a great afternoon to finish a great trip!

On my flight home, I had four seats to myself, so I was able to sleep for five solid hours!! I'll take it. 

A fantastic 32 days. Back soon!