d - day
THE RUN UP to the adriatic circle expedition
I got shaken awake in what should have been my cousins pitch black living room....
" F*CK! "
" F*CK! "
[JUMP CUT TO:]
The day was
August 2nd, 2015 - Rome
I had finished working on a film little more than two weeks earlier and had been very busy working on an another project since then. However during that period my cousins and I had decided we were going to pack my 4x4 and go on a overland adventure. Fancy. We had discussed it briefly. I had already done a similar trip... which failed; they had never done anything like it. The idea was to leave on August first. We were late, and it was on me.
With the production schedule of my future shoot sliding continuously down Calendar Hill I ditched the job, packed the little gear I had and got on the road. My plan was to drive all the way up to where Pietro was staying along the coast: Laigueglia.
August 2nd, 2015 - Rome
I had finished working on a film little more than two weeks earlier and had been very busy working on an another project since then. However during that period my cousins and I had decided we were going to pack my 4x4 and go on a overland adventure. Fancy. We had discussed it briefly. I had already done a similar trip... which failed; they had never done anything like it. The idea was to leave on August first. We were late, and it was on me.
With the production schedule of my future shoot sliding continuously down Calendar Hill I ditched the job, packed the little gear I had and got on the road. My plan was to drive all the way up to where Pietro was staying along the coast: Laigueglia.
I was driving there to pick him up, then drive to Acqui Terme, Piedmont. That is where we have a Staging Area (workshop & beds) and where Filippo lives. All told Acqui Terme is a small town where my mother grew up and where we Filippo, Pietro and I grew up as kids during the summer vacations. That is where I bruised every square inch of my skin, learned how to not drown, ride a bike and lace my boots. Good times. Anyway, Acqui Terme was where we would sleep and prep everything for our voyage.
I was super excited and looking forward to enjoying some time off after a year and a half of straight work. However I knew what we were getting ourselves into and felt the responsibility and pressure to prepare the team and car as best possible. I had been running my calculations To-Do lists and logistical organization in my head for days. The only thing we had actually gotten down own "paper" was our appointment with a ferry in Igoumenitsa, Greece a couple weeks from now. All of the time, terrain and future in between was unknown. We literally had organized nothing with respects to time tables, way points, destinations, cultural spots..... you get it.
The only reason I wasn't pulling someones hair out was the fact I was on the road with my Galloper driving through the sunset. Windows open, music blasting is how I roll.
I was super excited and looking forward to enjoying some time off after a year and a half of straight work. However I knew what we were getting ourselves into and felt the responsibility and pressure to prepare the team and car as best possible. I had been running my calculations To-Do lists and logistical organization in my head for days. The only thing we had actually gotten down own "paper" was our appointment with a ferry in Igoumenitsa, Greece a couple weeks from now. All of the time, terrain and future in between was unknown. We literally had organized nothing with respects to time tables, way points, destinations, cultural spots..... you get it.
The only reason I wasn't pulling someones hair out was the fact I was on the road with my Galloper driving through the sunset. Windows open, music blasting is how I roll.
My attempt at taking a photo solo while driving my very own Millenium Falcon (Lone Galloper)
The drive up was going really well until it wasn't. I was still a couple hundred kilometres away from destination and making good time. As I drove through the gorgeous, white-knuckling bends and tunnels of Genoa I noticed that on the left lane two Police Officers were waving at me...weird... I looked again. They were waving the infamous "paletta" [a baton that enforces a "pull over" order]. I gave them a clear thumbs up and trailed them for a few kilometres to a gas station.
As I drove I was trying to figure out what the hell had I done wrong. I consider myself a responsible driver and there was no way I was speeding in a semi loaded 3+ton off roader on such a dangerous stretch of highway.
As we pulled in the gas stations' parking lot I followed their requests and fully complied. I asked them why I was getting pulled over.
Police Officer - "Three of your tail lights are non functioning, sir."
I was taken aback. Three?! What the hell I only have two tail lights and no upper break light what are they going on about? I checked them before I left that morning and everything was functioning and operational. So I told them. I followed up by pointing out that the two lateral light lenses were the reverse and High Intensity fog lights. However one of my tail lights was indeed broken; touché.
The Highway Patrol Police Officers moved on to running my documents through the system and low and behold I was in for a bad day. My car did not have a valid MoT.
So I was in for a citation for my tail light and now I was about to have my D.O.T vehicle registration documents revoked and a hefty fine on my shoulders. I was not happy. The car should have had her MoT a year ago whilst I was abroad for work but, it didn't. Not what my father had reassured me of.
Lets fast forward an hour and the very understanding Officers let me off with the hefty fine, an order to get the vehicle through inspection and certified again. On the up side I got to keep my vehicle registration papers and did not have to drive to their Police Station to retrieve it the next day, which would have really screwed our schedule.
As I drove I was trying to figure out what the hell had I done wrong. I consider myself a responsible driver and there was no way I was speeding in a semi loaded 3+ton off roader on such a dangerous stretch of highway.
As we pulled in the gas stations' parking lot I followed their requests and fully complied. I asked them why I was getting pulled over.
Police Officer - "Three of your tail lights are non functioning, sir."
I was taken aback. Three?! What the hell I only have two tail lights and no upper break light what are they going on about? I checked them before I left that morning and everything was functioning and operational. So I told them. I followed up by pointing out that the two lateral light lenses were the reverse and High Intensity fog lights. However one of my tail lights was indeed broken; touché.
The Highway Patrol Police Officers moved on to running my documents through the system and low and behold I was in for a bad day. My car did not have a valid MoT.
So I was in for a citation for my tail light and now I was about to have my D.O.T vehicle registration documents revoked and a hefty fine on my shoulders. I was not happy. The car should have had her MoT a year ago whilst I was abroad for work but, it didn't. Not what my father had reassured me of.
Lets fast forward an hour and the very understanding Officers let me off with the hefty fine, an order to get the vehicle through inspection and certified again. On the up side I got to keep my vehicle registration papers and did not have to drive to their Police Station to retrieve it the next day, which would have really screwed our schedule.
Open road ahead!! just how I like it. Didn't last long however
I got back into the drivers seat, cranked the engine and drove off. The Police Officers farewell was:
"hey! your suspension squeaks quite a bit!"
Yes. True. You can hear my car coming from a mile off. The squeaking is terrible and it is on my mental To-Fix list.
I got to Laigueglia very late that evening. Met up with Pietro and gave him shit about his terrible long hair. I was hell bent over cutting a chunk of his hair off in his sleep. I never did. That evening was spent talking a lot over dinner, overviewing and planning. I drank my last cold beer and off we went to sleep on a pair of bunks.
The following morning I woke up to a stunning sunrise. Anxious to get on the road I woke up Pietro. We had a pretty tight schedule. Between paying my fine and getting the car MoT certified, prepping, planning and all other non-descript shenanigans we were running late.
"hey! your suspension squeaks quite a bit!"
Yes. True. You can hear my car coming from a mile off. The squeaking is terrible and it is on my mental To-Fix list.
I got to Laigueglia very late that evening. Met up with Pietro and gave him shit about his terrible long hair. I was hell bent over cutting a chunk of his hair off in his sleep. I never did. That evening was spent talking a lot over dinner, overviewing and planning. I drank my last cold beer and off we went to sleep on a pair of bunks.
The following morning I woke up to a stunning sunrise. Anxious to get on the road I woke up Pietro. We had a pretty tight schedule. Between paying my fine and getting the car MoT certified, prepping, planning and all other non-descript shenanigans we were running late.
A good start! The super sun rise view from Laigueglia the morning we left for Acqui Terme.
The drive From Laigueglia to Acqui Terme. 122km more or less, with some funky twisty roads motorciclists absolutely love.
We put on the Moka, got dressed had breakfast and hit the road. After a couple of hours of driving, music and car talk we reached Acqui Terme. I spent the morning getting the car inspected and paying the fine at the post office, no easy ordeal in Italy, as the post office becomes the meeting point for elderly people and the waiting line is a mile long. With that taken care of I kindly reminded my cousins they would enjoy having some extra gear on the trip. E.g Camping chairs (more on that here). So we went shopping for equipment.
The next day was dedicated to planning. Filippo and I broke out the lap-tops, iPads, Maps, pens and coffee to infuse ourselves with knowledge and lay our eyes on the possibilities ahead.
The next day was dedicated to planning. Filippo and I broke out the lap-tops, iPads, Maps, pens and coffee to infuse ourselves with knowledge and lay our eyes on the possibilities ahead.
More than we need. Our Prepping station. We spent hours on this desk studying reading and mapping.
We wrapped up the day with a great dinner and a bottle of wine. We talked a lot about the trip ahead. We were as ready as we could be at that moment and were going to punch our time card the next morning. It wasn't a dream. We were going! Unanimously we decided we would be on the road by 0530. So we set our alarm clocks and I lay on the leather sofa in Pietro's living room. Lights out. Catching some zees.
[FADE TO BLACK]
I got shaken awake in what should have been my cousins pitch black living room, opened my eyes and Filippo was standing there giggling, a smirk on his face. I felt groggy and scrubbed and stretched the sleep out of me. I grabbed my phone and saw what time it was:
0648
ME
"F*CK MAN!!!"
My cousin laughed out loud.
ME
(cont.)
"f*ck dude we're late!"
Pietro laughed from another room. I wasn't really in the mood for joking. I was still groggy and it was day one, 0 km driven and we're damn late. We had a 12 hour drive ahead of us to the border aprox 1000km away. I went into overdrive. I jumped into my pants, shoved my shoes on and started getting at it. Mental list ticking away:
Fill water jerry can - repack car - breakfast - maps - electronics - and.... DRIVE!!
Whilst I was fretting over 'petty' stuff Pietro got the Moka on (starting to see a pattern?) and Filippo.... well I don't know... in a half hour we were downstairs, next to the car, super excited and ready to roll. Almost.
[FADE TO BLACK]
I got shaken awake in what should have been my cousins pitch black living room, opened my eyes and Filippo was standing there giggling, a smirk on his face. I felt groggy and scrubbed and stretched the sleep out of me. I grabbed my phone and saw what time it was:
0648
ME
"F*CK MAN!!!"
My cousin laughed out loud.
ME
(cont.)
"f*ck dude we're late!"
Pietro laughed from another room. I wasn't really in the mood for joking. I was still groggy and it was day one, 0 km driven and we're damn late. We had a 12 hour drive ahead of us to the border aprox 1000km away. I went into overdrive. I jumped into my pants, shoved my shoes on and started getting at it. Mental list ticking away:
Fill water jerry can - repack car - breakfast - maps - electronics - and.... DRIVE!!
Whilst I was fretting over 'petty' stuff Pietro got the Moka on (starting to see a pattern?) and Filippo.... well I don't know... in a half hour we were downstairs, next to the car, super excited and ready to roll. Almost.
Pre trip selfie. Car packed and.....
We mounted up and sat there for a second. I turned the key and let the glow plugs warm up: the yellow LED on the Voltemeter flashed on and the mechanical "clack!" from under the hood confirmed the glow plugs were good, I cranked the engine and the entire car wobbled as the engine came to life... very romantic.
First gear, hand brake off and we start rolling. No more than 50 meters up the road and we look at each other, read our thoughts and gently said
"colazione"
That's "breakfast" for non Italians. In the movie industry we have a lot of sayings. One of them is "Hurry up and wait". I pulled over next to a Caffetteria, dismounted and walked over to get our fair share of cornetto's and cappuccini. We calmly have breakfast. Had a laugh, picked up and went.
Destination: Uknown.
First gear, hand brake off and we start rolling. No more than 50 meters up the road and we look at each other, read our thoughts and gently said
"colazione"
That's "breakfast" for non Italians. In the movie industry we have a lot of sayings. One of them is "Hurry up and wait". I pulled over next to a Caffetteria, dismounted and walked over to get our fair share of cornetto's and cappuccini. We calmly have breakfast. Had a laugh, picked up and went.
Destination: Uknown.
Author:
Alberto
Alberto
