MAGIC TAPE

When we left Iseo on Saturday we told them we would come back but hey weren’t expecting this soon.  We say goodbye, leave the site and drive to the Conad supermarket in Iseo town.  Shopping done, it’s out to the autostrada and another day with the trucks.  Rain and showers don’t help and it’s not an attractive ride.  Once we are clear of Turin the road is much quieter, the rain stops and the scenery improves although distant grey clouds mask some of it.
Nearing the Frejus tunnel we exit the motorway and drive through Bussoleno and out to the aire at Chianocco.  It turns out to be a beautiful spot set among young trees with a vineyard right behind us.  The vines and trees are all turning autumnal and when the late evening sun breaks through the colours are wonderful.

Ali gets out to find if we have to pay and is greeted by a couple of playful dogs which come from the only other van here.  It’s not a conventional motorhome, more a Ducato pick-up truck with a timber caravan crafted into its load bed.  A carved wood name board at the back identifies it a “Magic Tricks” and it is the mobile home for a couple of young French women plus dogs.
Two more vans arrive, then before the sun sets the mist clears to reveal huge mountain peaks around us.
Later there’s a knock at the door, money collector we expect, but no, it’s one of the Magic Tricks girls with a tube of mastic asking if we have a mastic gun so she can fix a leak in their water tank.  We don’t have one but we offer her a roll of duct tape which she takes.  Ali goes over with a torch to see if they need more help and is shown inside their wagon.  It’s all varnished timbers and very homely and they don’t need any help, they’ll return the tape in the morning.
We have a nice piece of fish for supper.