Originally Posted by boxer750

Wednesday....
I did go to Die, but it didn't do it for me :-)

Today I was traversing mountains left to right, starting in France, crossing into Italy, at which point, because some jokers kept on about wanting more pics, I removed my Panasonic camera from its case and put it in my pocket for easy, snappy access. I then rode off leaving the case on one of my panniers, and now it gone...

Did get lots of pics too, but these will wait. Its hard enough just typing it up. The roads and the weather deteriorated markedly at the Italian border. The weather because of the mountains, the roads cos they were covered in overbanding, and animal shit. I never saw an animal up there (unlike in Spain, where I thankfully cruised a bend in the Picks mountains to find a Spanish version of Daisy just standing there, unimpressed by us all.)
My theory for Italy is that these poor creatures are in abbatoir trucks and know their fate, and are trying to share it with us... It all seems to be on the entry or exit of the hairpins.

But homicidal they may be, they are nothing compared to your average Italian driver. Their govt could slash spending on road signs and road painting, because not one takes the slightest notice. Check mirror as often as you like they will catch you unawares at some point, and stick to your tail like a limpet mine. It really is a free for all, and the scooters are by far the worst.

But I found a hotel a hundred yards from the sea. Technically in the bay of Genoa, but not as far round as my lack of planning intended :-)

Glad I stopped there. A sea view, AC in the room, although the girl on reception obviously thought I was abnormal to need it in October. Actually had to ask for the controller and you get given the TV remote on checking in too. Still needed batteries though.

Decided to stay 2 days, and what a treat that was. Loved the place, even if you can't go more than 20 steps without tripping over a super scooter or whatever they are called. Walked to one end of the bay and watched the sunset, added poignancy, by the thought as I scanned the horizon from left to right at some point my eyes passed over where Usurper and her crew lay, and I assume at depth as she's never been found

I didn't break down sobbing or the like, but did get that tightness of the throat, that moistness in the eye we all get when thinking about those that have died for us, or at least I hope we all do. And I guess there was a noticeable feeling of being linked to my grandfather that I'd not felt before.

I had a small stainless steel disc that I had scratched on 'HMS USURPER 1943' on one side, and 'Len Jackson' on the other side. I hurled it into the sea past some rocks where the only urchins likely to discover it are sea urchins. Shame it can't be placed more accurately at the moment, but it's in the bay.

Managed to get some R and R too, wandering about the town and beach. Only shame was that the tourist season is definitely over, things were shutting down big time.