Vineyards of beautiful Italy

We got up late after our long drive yesterday, and enjoyed a slow morning, getting ourselves ready to move on between numerous coffees.
The drive today was so so pretty, much more picturesque than we’d expected, and hilly rather than mountainous for a pleasant change. We were feeling quite relaxed as we meandered through the Italian countryside at a leisurely pace. Hazelnut trees planted in rows everywhere which I conclude (with no evidence whatsoever ) indicate that this must be the home of Nutella. They stretched for miles. And then there are vineyards also spanning across vast areas, explaining (I conclude again) why the wine is so cheap, so good and so plentiful here.🤪
We were almost at a place called Asti which I’m guessing ( possibly concluding even 😇) gave its name to the sparkling white wine. It would be really very rude indeed not to try some while I’m here wouldn’t it?
Looking further we can see when we are astride the rolling vine covered hills the high French-Italian Alps in the far distance. Huge snow capped mountains that we know we are going to be navigating through very soon. Excitement with a fair dose of trepidation is what we feel at the prospect of the journey ahead of us.
Along the way we found a shop to get a few bits, and of course some Asti.
We haven’t travelled very far today as we are feeling relaxed and chilled by the easy leisurely pace of the day, so we were soon looking for an aire. It’s a simple place that we are able to fill our water tank and sleep for tonight. I warmed up a spag bol that I had made previously and we tried our best to chill in the 30℃🌡️ heat of the afternoon. Bliss went to her favourite place under the van ,and laid out in the shady wind tunnel Ivy provides beneath us.Meer informatie