Tour of the Lakes - Monterosi, April 2, 2011

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In reality, the almost obligatory decision to postpone the first outing of 2011 by a few weeks, due to the numerous concurrent organizational commitments of our key events of the year (participation in the Fuoriserie Show and the 2011 Trofeo Settecolli national gathering), has borne fruit.
The many members who waited three months to get their MGs back on the road after they had been parked in the garage for the winter were amply rewarded with a beautiful sunny day, with crystal clear skies and temperatures that were more summer than spring, with temperatures well above 25°C at midday.

Participation also reached a record level, compared to the season, with 22 cars, despite some defections from the most regular members.
We particularly appreciated the presence of two Umbrian crews, a new member and an aspiring member, the latter having learned about our mini-gathering through the Club's website (thanks to the power of inte et and merit of Urs!)
The departure was punctual and the schedule was adhered to perfectly, at least for three-quarters of the route, and above all, there were no mix-ups along the way. These are clear signs of significant growth in the crews and the organization, thanks also to the experience gained on previous outings.
The first group of cars, departing from Rome South, reached the meeting point of Santa Maria di Galeria through a network of secondary roads, characterised by splendid panoramic views and the absolute flow of traffic, really low if compared to the crowding of the main roads and the urban hinterland on pre-holiday days, far from the congestion of the weekend exodus and shopping.
in the shopping centres, outlets and hyperstores that now besiege the city in a sometimes suffocating grip.
The meeting with the crews from North Rome took place with great warmth and expressions of sympathy in the charming setting of the ancient village of Santa Maria di Galeria, within the picturesque courtyard and around the beautiful fountain that distinguishes it. Landscapes so unusual these days that they seemed to have been transposed from a vintage postcard. There was time to exchange greetings and embrace friends who hadn't seen each other for a while.
time on a proscenium reserved exclusively for MGCCI members and their cars and off to Anguillara Sabazia for an aperitif on the shores of the lake.
A hasty detour along the Braccianese road to avoid the small lakeside village with its weekly market and the crowds of day-trippers attracted by the beautiful day, led to the colorful procession of carriages appearing on the lakeside, to the amazement and admiration of passersby.
After travelling a couple of kilometres, we stopped at Caletta for an aperitif “en plein air” on a splendid English lawn, sheltered from the sun by straw umbrellas and seated at charming wooden tables, a few steps from clear and incredibly blue water, so much so that it reminds many of a Maldivian landscape, complete with palm trees, rather than a lake environment, usually characterised by mists and rather pale tones of colour.
Tearing the crews away from the temptations of the first warm spring sunshine and refreshing aperitifs, accompanied by tasty snacks, proved no easy feat, but the appointment with the Italian Air Force historical museum in Vigna di Valle, whose commander had urged us to be punctual, allowed no deviations from the schedule. In any case, the MGs presented themselves in perfect parade formation at the airport entrance barrier and, thanks to the exquisite hospitality of the personnel on duty, perhaps in awe of such diligence, were displayed in full view of the
Four pavilions housing the most important aircraft in the history of our aviation, right in front of the seaplane base. We were taken in by our guide, a very friendly and elderly former military pilot, son of one of the legendary crew members who participated in Italo Balbo's transatlantic flights and proud father of one of the fighter pilots of our Air Force. In short, a true enthusiast of aviation and historic aircraft (with which he still participates in numerous re-enactment events) and, as we learned from the
In his own words, a competent owner of several vintage cars (including two Alfa Romeos and an original 1944 Jeep). The empathy that immediately developed within the group, thanks to our shared passions, made the visit even more interesting and unforgettable, making the time fly by in a flash, so much so that we found ourselves worryingly behind schedule at the end of the tour. Our guests were bid farewell with the presentation of the Club pennant and the promise of a prompt return, even individually, to complete their knowledge of the fascinating world of aircraft and aircraft.
Air Force enterprises, we were back on the road for the last stop of the gathering: the farewell banquet on the shores of Lake Monterosi.
To make up for lost time and save a few kilometers of road, but above all to avoid the traffic at Trevignano, the organizer suggested another route variation, circumnavigating a stretch of the lake counterclockwise, rather than clockwise as indicated in the roadbook. This allowed us to arrive at the selected restaurant at a fairly convenient time for lunch.
The beautiful day had allowed the charming Ivan, who together with two equally young partners runs "Il Gusto e la Vista" (in nomen omen), to set a long outdoor table under a beautiful veranda overlooking the lake, greatly satisfying the second of the diners' two senses. As for the first, the tasty and rich menu specially put together by the Chef, one of the other owners of the restaurant, who boasts among his numerous professional experiences also serving at the English royal court, won over all the guests to such an extent that they, once again, forgot the inexorable passage of time. After the Lazio Regional Center's upcoming programs, the Club President's greetings, and repeated toasts, the group slowly dispersed, now late in the afternoon, as the crews slowly made their way home, already anticipating, despite their fullness, the flavors of the next social dinner scheduled for Saturday, April 16th, in Fiumicino, concluding the first day of the fair. It's true that the appetite comes with eating...
The engines have now been restarted in Lazio too, they sing wonderfully and no one seems to have any intention of turning them off, at least for several months.

Claudio Nacca