VI May Flower's Run - 2009
Dear friends/members,
The first group's meeting point on Friday morning is at the Mantua Fire Brigade Museum; they all arrive on time. Even though many of them had traveled many miles, their faces were joyful and eager for the promising weekend ahead. We leave our cars neatly lined up and head to boarding. The Captain and crew await us on the motor vessel, welcoming us with courtesy and kindness. We count ourselves and give the order to depart. The day is beautiful, and the warm air is cooled by the motion of the boat. The motion gives us a pleasant breeze that penetrates our beautiful blue polo shirts, while the relentless sun reflects on the gold-colored MG logo embroidered above our hearts.
Over two hours of sailing, during which we enjoy a boisterous and cheerful lunch, and while the fish courses unfold, we see, as I promised, herons soaring and lotus flowers. The surrounding landscape is a succession of jaw-dropping images, and we all listen in silence as the guide provides detailed information about this tranquil place and briefly introduces us to its history. We return to Mantua and, together with the other crews arriving in the afternoon, set off to visit the Ducal Palace. Our knowledgeable guides will introduce us to the important history that once unfolded within that palace, leaving us amazed and certainly more cultured.
Toward evening, we gather and set off for the Grazie di Curtatone, where a visit to the Santuario delle Grazie awaits us. A temple of rare and haunting beauty, filled with exquisite wooden works of art, deeply rooted in the history of this place and its inhabitants. Then, dinner at the Locanda delle Grazie. In the renowned restaurant, we are greeted by succulent dishes steeped in Mantuan tradition. There are now over a hundred of us, and soon, the good food, but especially the abundant wine, strengthens us and unites us in a wild celebration. At 11:30, we return to the hotel. Perhaps tired, but certainly satisfied with this first day...
Saturday, 9:00 a.m., we briefed the hotel, giving a briefing on the route and the day's schedule. Given the temperature forecast, we distributed two bottles of water to each team. I was later told they were very useful. We set off for the Moreniche hills and Peschiera del Garda. The landscape is a mixture of green, well-tended countryside and villages with their shutters already lowered to shield their rooms from the sun. We stopped to regroup and admire the stunning village of Valeggio, with its houses built on stilts over the rapids of the river. At that sight, photos fly by at a frenetic pace. We set off again, through well-tended vineyards and countryside smelling of cut grass and freshly strewn cattle. We arrive in Peschiera sul Garda, and from there to the Cantine Moreniche, where the first five time trials and a sumptuous buffet await us. We even invented a hood-up contest, where a panel of five kind but not particularly knowledgeable ladies gave written opinions on the beauty and restoration of our cars. Late in the evening, it was revealed that some competitors had tried to bribe the panel by offering free summer vacations in Romagna.
Any allusion is purely coincidental... But, strangely, the race was won by a true Romagnolo!!!). Everything is going well, everyone is happy and the cars, despite the temperature, are all running wonderfully. We set off again, full of food and in euphoric joy... (it couldn't be otherwise, given the abundance of wine served...). We descend from the Moreniche hills towards Solferino, travelling along a stretch that saw the passage of the legendary Mille Miglia a few days earlier. The asphalt on the curves is still streaked with black marks left by the passage of those famous racing cars with a glorious past. The square of Solferino, shaded by lush plane trees, grants us a relaxing break. Some have spread soft blankets on the grass and are attempting a nap. Others, leaning against the surrounding wall, turn their gaze north where Lake Garda can be seen. What peace! We set off again for Curtatone, but before we get there, we stop at a farm where resourceful farmers have opened an artisanal ice cream parlor. They make their ice cream using fresh whole milk from their beautiful spotted cows, who noisily graze in the barn just steps from the parlor. The rich, ancient flavor of this ice cream will be unique!
We set off again for the Grazie di Curtatone, where the Italian Federation's timekeepers and the five pressure tubes lying on the scorching asphalt await us once again. Soon, we'll be competing in the next four interconnected time trials. The tension among the most competitive is immediately noticeable. In fact, they're the ones who, in these moments, break away from the group and retreat into silence. From that moment on, their only thoughts will be those that make the rhythm of time that will mark the upcoming time trial pass through their minds. I, too, will be one of them... After an hour, we set off again for Palazzo Te. Another great monument in Mantua's history, five guides divide us into small groups and lead us into those marvelously frescoed rooms, providing us with yet another pleasant cultural enrichment. Beautiful! Magnificent!
It's late afternoon, and we set off again for the hotel, where a well-deserved shower awaits us to prepare us for dinner.
At 9:00 PM, we're having dinner at the renowned Il Rigoletto restaurant. A beautifully furnished room all to ourselves welcomes us. Two tables are laden with awards, cups, medals, mahogany crests, delicacies, and so on. This piques the curiosity of many, and the procession that forms in front of these tables confirms it.
The evening unfolded in a cheerful atmosphere, and the interruption after each course for the awarding of prizes created moments of unbridled enthusiasm. (The Romagnoli group, in these moments, reigned supreme... It's in their blood!!) We deliberately handed out prizes and mementos in abundance to celebrate the reborn May Flower's Run together with the entire Club, represented here by 53 crews and many guests from the capital, who saw us as protagonists of the WE. There will be winners and losers, and among us, no bitterness will be noticed, only joy. This cheerful and jovial atmosphere was pleasant and symbolic for the organizers, who were always attentive. (In these last two lines, we allowed ourselves a couple of compliments. May we?).
We're off again on Sunday at 9:00! Our destination is Sabbioneta. First, a short briefing will describe the day. We leave Mantua without any problems; the road book will be a great help, with its wealth of well-placed symbols to ensure everyone's safety.
The traffic is practically nonexistent, making us appreciate the passage along the embankment that separates the Oglio River from the countryside even more, a rare sight that compels us to stop for a few photos. The embankment is over! The pontoon bridge awaits us, lined up with 10 meters between us. We cross it with excitement, admiring the placid river flowing right beneath our wheels, making us sway to and fro. Lulled by the river! What a spectacle!! We arrive at Corte Castiglioni di Casatico. A beautiful, well-preserved 15th-century courtyard. Inside, we are greeted by a sumptuous buffet offered by the municipality. The mayor and the tourism councilor welcome us as if at a grand event. A beautiful group photo, published in the newspapers the next day, completes this moment.
Sabbioneta welcomes us with its red walls, its interior harking back to another era. We park in the center and, accompanied by two guides, set off on a tour of the city. It's surprising to learn the "rebellious history" of this town, which has known pomp, glory, and wealth, and which, despite being in the Mantua province, has always felt closer to the lands and traditions of Parma. Even now, the expert and cultured guides point this out to us with unbridled pride.
Unfortunately, the time dictates that we must depart. Our destination is Bifi's restaurant in the province of Cremona. A large dining room welcomes us, and yet another varied menu comforts us as we prepare to bid farewell. Final prizes are awarded in a festive raffle, and souvenir photos are handed out to each competing crew. Then, to conclude the meeting, we are served a magnificent cake depicting our national championship. The entire lunch is a coming and going of friends who come to my table, each cheering us with their compliments, and the compliments are endless... Thank you! All of this has truly made us very happy. It will be an unforgettable memory.
Thanks again to all of you…………. In those moments, looking at you, a wonderful thought comes to mind. I think I have friends in almost every region of our beautiful Italy. Imagine how enriching it is to be able to say that with every trip I take, visiting different regions, I can say to myself: here I have a friend who shares my passion and is a member of the MG Club! Truly a luxury for the few!!!
See you at the VII May Flower's Run 2010………….
A hug to everyone….
The MG Regional Center Lombardy Team…
And the dreamy scribbler…..
Angelo Bernardi