From the rice fields to the hills of lower Monferrato - April 13, 2008

Checking the MG Car Club d'Italia website from time to time is also useful for us Swiss.

By chance we learned that Silvio Alberelli was going to organize an MG outing in Piedmont.
The decision to join was immediate.
So on Saturday morning we got on the highway in Lugano in a downpour that didn't bode well.
Aided by technology, we left the highway in Vercelli and headed towards Crescentino, where we met at the Greppi farmhouse.
While searching for it we suddenly came across a black pre-war MG with Swiss license plates and two very familiar faces: Sonia and Urs.

After visiting the Greppi family's small personal museum of agricultural tools, we set off for the hills towards Cossombrato, where other participants with their MGs were waiting for us at the Tenuta Rila' winery.

For dinner, Silvio had identified the famous Balin in Livorno Ferrarsi, where we tasted the typical dishes of the area.
The next day we all went to the castle of San Genuario, renovated by Sonia and Urs.
During the small breakfast we had the opportunity to meet new participants at the meeting.
When we got going, we realized the considerable number of MGs (and not only)
Given the thirst of our MG, after the usual stop at the petrol station, we found ourselves chasing the large group that we had no trouble tracking down on the nearby hills.
The next stop was Cortanze Castle, where a rich aperitif and a welcome from the host awaited us.
Lunch took place in a magnificent room, covered by cross vaults with brick arches.
The menu featured seasonal Piedmontese specialties accompanied by local wines.
After lunch, the participants, who still had a long way to go to get back to their homes, said their goodbyes.
We too reluctantly decided to leave the good company, to face the return journey, following Urs's directions, to avoid the highways.
After getting lost near Borgomanero in the usual downpour, we decided to get back on the highway towards Switzerland.

It was a very pleasant outing, with little formality, and it certainly won't be the last one we'll attend as non-EU guests. It was enlivened at the end by the comments of some members:
"The view of the castle at night, in the dim light of the stars and the dim streetlights, was like a free-fall flight into a reality from another era. Seeing it again in the clear morning light, with all the MGs lined up on either side of the entrance, was like entering a theater with the curtain open on a stage visible only in our romantic fantasies as modern dreamers." P. Paolo Parma
Piero Fontana, at the meeting on Sunday, crossing the gate of the Castle of S. Genuario said:
"how cool!".

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make the event a success, but especially to Silvio, who once again made it possible for us to visit Piedmont in this unique way.
Gian Luca Casella - MG Car Club Switzerland
Such a long way!
So much enthusiasm!!!

Because the organizers' warmth and friendliness always overcome any obstacle.
Only one difficulty: to describe all the emotions in a few lines.
Thanks to Franca and Silvio who guided us through vineyards, green hills, and vast rice fields.
A special compliment to Sonia and Urs for their tenacity and skill in making a dream come true.
We thank them for making us dream a little too!
Beniamina and Fausto Parma