The "automobiling" part was somewhat daunting for two Turtles used to driving on the left side of the road and another Turtle who doesn't yet have a driver's licence.
However, brave Tony took the wheel and drove the Turtle family from Bellagio to Lecco via winding, wet and windy paths (all that plus a nagging back-seat driver: "Keep right. Stay right. Whoa! Mind the old man! Tiny, hush, we're almost there.")
Despite the continuing rain and general miserable weather, Lecco charmed all three the Turtles with beautiful views, good coffee and, best of all, a playground! Tiny(and her parents) had a ball on the swings (with, arguably, the best view ever), round-abouts and the spinning chair. It was a welcome respite from the screaming emanating from the creature in the car seat... OK, so travelling with a toddler is not always romantic or easy. All is forgiven when a little voice pipes up: "Latte for the bambino!"
This morning arrived in a glorious fashion - bright, blue sky and the sunshine glittering on the lake. La dolce vita, once again!
The Turtles raced to their tiny, red Turtle mobile as fast as their stubby legs could carry them and sped down the lanes out of Bellagio towards Como. More winding and dodging of old people until the Turtles experienced severe caffeine withdrawal and started searching for an open ristorante (that, and Tiny who started whining... "Out, Mommy, out!" Mommy was contemplating out the window but that was just the lack of coffee talking...or not.)
Anyhow, Tony spotted a sign pointing the Turtles down a road towards coffee. The Turtle mobile made a sharp right down a road that was so narrow that not even Kate Moss would've been able to squeeze between the side mirrors and the walls. The road suddenly gave way to steps and, it was at about the same time that we spotted an old senor with a cane climbing up the steps that we realised we were heading down a pedestrian path!
The little Turtle mobile came to screeching halt as the Turtles pondered their options. They could try driving down the steps (Tony's idea), they could reverse back the way they came or they could try to turn around in a tiny alcove a couple of metres back. The decision was reached by considering the least embarrassing story to be relayed to the insurance company and Tony miraculously turned the car around without as much as a scratch. All the while with Myrtle barking directions standing at the back of the car, the senor barking directions at the front of the car and Tiny yelling (because everyone was) inside the car. Tony kept his cool and soon afterwards the Turtles were sipping lattes in Como. Tony and Tiny were feeding doves while Myrtle kept an eye out for another type of bird - George Clooney owns a house in Como... A girl can look, right?
Tony's view of Bellagio...
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