Having left our campsite and via Carrefour we decided to head down the “scenic” coast road and not the motorway.  Unfortunately you can’t see too much of the beach as for about 50km it is hidden by one long strip of hotels and beach bars all with their regimented rows of loungers.  To reach Pisa we had to turn inland and then the adventure began……There was a  diversion you see and they seem to run out of signposts very quickly.  We were going so well until the signs ran out and then even the girls noticed we had gone past one particular junction 3 times.  So with all thoughts of scenic drives gone we headed to the motorway… That took us to Lucca…  OK Pisa can wait for a couple of days. I am sure.

We had a campsite in mind and Tom-Tom took us straight there.

We arrived during siesta time and while waiting we were joined by several other vans – there was going to be a rush to the office when it opened…..  Could Bob beat the 3 French vans and the German to the best pitch?  The site Il Serchio was 28 Euros a night and had all we needed…. laundry facilities, showers etc (albeit we can shower in the van) together with electric.  Again we can cope without mains as we have a fairly big inverter that will even run the coffee machine.

Once all plugged in we made to town, a 15 minute walk. Lucca had been sold to us as a quaint little town with nice ice cream.  Once in the walled town it was clear to see why;  narrow streets and an abundance of coffee shops and gelateria. We settled on one that served a multitude of combinations including vanilla and Balsamic Vinegar.

We then had a wander around the town and even managed to drop off a Travel Bug in a Geocache….