Yesterday Stef and I went for the Coast Park Cycling track from San Lorenzo al Mare to Ospedaletti.

The 24 kilometre breathtaking stretch wends its way through eight historic fishing villages and the glamourous city of San Remo.

It was in the 1800s that the first British aristocrats discovered the sensual charms of the Ligurian coast where the Alps tumble dramatically into warm, cobalt-blue Meditarranean sea. They came to enjoy the temperate climate and luxuriant subtropical vegetation with its palms and baobabs. Not surprisingly the region became knows as the 'Coast of Flowers'. Scent from eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender fill the air and the intense perfumes, carried by sea breezes, mingle with the fresher mountain winds.

Now, with the train route moved north, the old tracks are being converted into a 24 km cycling path.

The stretch from Ospedaletti in the west to San Lorenzo al Mare in the east is finished.

San Stefano al Mare

Along the way it provides access to 5 km of previously unreachable Riviera beaches.

We rented a tandem and after a coffee we started the track. 20 km it was one way.

Stef was the driver in the front and he made us spin like idiots.

San Remo

Okay.......... I think this is really the end of the line........

Yep.... so let's get on the way back.... just another 20 km to go.......

It took us only 4 hours to go back and forth (40 km), with a stop for a toast, another stop for an icecream AND a stop to have a swim!

Arriving back at San Lorenzo I could hardly get off the bike: my bumm was hurting soo much and all my muscles were frozen. The owner of the rent a bikeshop laughed his head off when he saw me walking away. Thank you very much....... But..... I think we made a record of running this track back and forth in such a short time.

Me and my shadow ..............................

We absolutely deserved a Pizza in the restaurant at the campsite and a good glass of wine.

To my surprise this morning Stef did not need to come and help my out of bed, only when walking/climbing the terraces my muscles and my bumm hurts a bit. Not bad for such an 'old' lady he..........

The weather report for the coming week is still 30 degrees and more, but so every now and then we have some clouds, giving some shade and space to cool a bit.

Ciao and till next report.

Baci baci Rita