Leaving Pesaro, we continued down the Adriatic coast past Fano, Senigallia and Marina di Montemarciano and generally the popular resort area known as ‘Le Marche’.   As evening fell, we stopped at what was to be our very first and possibly last stop at a ‘Camper stop’ at Porto Recanati just past Ancona.  These are free or relatively cheap places to park overnight for camper vans and there are many throughout Europe.  This one was called ‘Disco-Kart’ as it doubled as a Go-Karting as well as a disco place! Facilities were basic to say the least and extras, such as a shower were an additional cost.  Two euros bought approximately 30 seconds in the shower and as we ran out of change we were forced to share a shower.  Our fellow campers were however very friendly and the beach next to the camper stop was exceptional.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning, conscious of our deadline of 2nd August to catch our ferry from Bari to Dubrovnik we pressed on headed for Gargano in Puglia. On the way we passed Loreto, Porto Potenza, Porto San Giorgio, Pedaso, Colonnella, Tortorello, Montesilvano, Pescara, Fossacesia, Vasto and Camporino.  It was a long drive. With temperatures rising all the time (it was official – Italy was in the grip of a ‘scirocco’ from Africa), we stopped in Pedaso for a cool drink,  ice cream and coffee to perk us up.  Cliches apart, the quantity of ‘gelato’ eaten in Italy in summer must be phenomenal with ‘gelaterie’ at every corner and every few steps you take. Often, the cafes are ‘cafeterie’, ‘pasticerie’,  ‘gelaterie’, ‘rosticerie’ and bar all at the same time.  Lingering at such a place in Pedaso, we found it hard to get going again due to the sheer heat and humidity which induces intense lethargy and listlessness but move on we had to.  While sitting in the cafe, a sudden collective blowing of horns reminiscent of a wedding in the Middle East turned out to be a procession of vintage and colourful cinquecenti.

Taking a quick look at the sea-front, in the middle of a peaceful and shaded little park, we see a monument and tribute to ‘Ai caduti del mare’ (to the victims of tragedies at sea) which we find quite moving.