Date: 5th September 2018
Travelled: 64 kilometres from Viterbo to Marta, both in the province of Lazio, Italy.
Visited: Lago di Boisena
Stayed: Area Koros Sosta, Marta, โฌ10. All the usual services. N42.53470, E11.94685
Budget: 95 days @ โฌ95 per day.
Despite our car-park being full of cars and the festival of Saint Rose in full swing, we didnโt hear a thing all night. We wake to find the carpark mostly empty, but for 8-9 other motorhomes. We are up having coffee and fruit just after 7am. The early bird catches the worm or in this case the mechanic.
I wonโt go into the saga of actually finding a mechanic that knew something about Fiat Ducato. Other than to say, even though we are in Italy and a Ducato is Italian. There are Fiat car mechanics and Fiat commercial mechanics, so after a couple of referrals, we stumble upon a Fiat service centre and go in an ask.
I come out with two mechanics, one who can speak english the other the light truck specialist. Within a couple of minutes they have found the problem, a hole in the air tube that runs between the turbo chargerโs intercooler and the inlet manifold. Iโm somewhat relieved. My new best friend tells me it will take 2 days for a new one from Fiat. But they will cut the hole out of the tube and fit a metal sleeve to rejoin it, we will be on the road this morning he tells me. He goes on to say we do it all the time, in Italy you donโt replace if you can fix it.
So by late morning the Hymer is back to itโs old self. We go on to find a Lidl supermarket and refill the shelves. Then to find a TIM phone shop and get another 30GB data card as our existing one will run out in a day or two. Then fuel up at โฌ1.45 @ litre, something of a bargain around here. By the time all this is done its 1pm and we roll out of Viterbo. We plan on Pitigliano but turn for Lago di Boisena, taking one look decide we need a relaxing afternoon by the lake.
We spend the afternoon having a swim and sunbaking. The lakeโs beaches are black sand, the fresh water is crystal clear. A little nap perhaps, the afternoon just glides by. We considered going out for dinner, but decide on a seafood paella inhouse instead. Only two older ladies in a camper-car are here tonight, so its not a rowdy crowd. Another day slips by…
Michael and Pam
