A good sleep for both of us apart from the all too common curse of hotel/motel bedrooms – squeaky bathroom door hinges. A mention to the friendly manager had that problem resolved promptly with a can of the local equivalent of WD40, as we weren't the only ones to bring it to his attention.
The only downside to Planet Hotel is the tiny breakfast room, we had to eat in shifts, but the upside was decent coffee by an obliging staff who were rushed off their feet clearing and resetting tables and topping up the food.
Everyone knew about the Jacque Villeneuve test session, so we tramped the 500m along the main road to what we had been told was a good viewing spot. It may have been a good spot for 20 people but it wasn't long before it was too dangerous to be at the roadside, so along with many others, we dived into the undergrowth between the road and the track security chicken wire fence, with another fairly substantial fence beyond that, but we could see the track.
We managed to find a short stretch of chicken wire that had been pulled down so that I could poke the camera and long lens through. It was staggering to see people with ladders, tree climbers galore and also a crowd against the fence at a part of the circuit we couldn't work out how to access. I would estimate there were about 400-500 people around, and sure enough, at just after 10:30, Jacques did the first tentative lap. Over the next 45 minutes, the car made sporadic appearances and we decided that when it stopped for an obvious photo shoot, we'd leave. We couldn't believe the traffic outside! They had several policemen there and vehicles were parked all over the place. It was a real event for the area and even though they see and hear Ferraris just about all day and every day, it was staggering to see the level of interest shown.
After a tasty pizza snack in the hotel cafe, we hung around for the 2:30pm coach arrival, to take us to the Maserati factory.
Unfortunately, the factory visit didn't quite go to plan, as their factory security weren't happy about those wearing open toed shoes or sandals. By this time, we had been split into three groups and group one had already set off. Their tour was abbreviated and ours never really got going at all, other than a cursory walk across the end of the building. Logic dictates that if they had put all the sandal wearers into one group, the other two groups would have had the full tour, but alas, it was not to be.
The factory shop had a bit of trade from our group and a modest €3 booklet came in a flash Maserati carrier bag! The very obliging bus driver took us on a city tour of Modena on the way back, which was appreciated.
Back at Planet, Paula had a short nod whilst I worked on blogs from days before, then we headed into town again to "Drakes". This was a good choice as whilst enjoying a drink out front, they brought out some very tasty appetisers before we went in. The staff here were very attentive and we ended up with 37 of the 50 strong group eating here, so management brought out free jugs of beer (honest!) and also an extra main of seared tuna for our table. Probably as we had tour leader John on it. So far, the meals on this trip overall had been very so-so, but my fillet steak with a sauce of gin and Worcester sauce, (sounds weird, tasted fantastic) accompanied by (extras) side dishes of roast potatoes and buttered spinach, was truly one of the nicest restaurant meals I have had in a long time. Simple enough but just what I wanted. I think it cost us a total of €48 for our meals and coffee. A bit expensive maybe at NZ prices, but not too bad for Italy and no worse than the Riverhead Tavern.
Back at the hotel, I think I managed to upload days 1 – 3 of this blog, which just shows how far behind I am...
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