Cute little runabout. Stress the little.

A mostly mundane 320 km freeway drive today to Turin, or Torino as they say here. There were a few unscheduled detours and scenic moments when the driver, navigator and GPS were all confused by these Italian roundabouts and suspect signage. However we finally made it to Turin to a camping place in the outer western suburbs.

Then I met a mature lady whose job was to register us for camping. There were some impediments to the process.

1. She had never done the job before
2. The paperwork from the city was extensive.
3. She could only speak Italian.
4. I could only speak English.

Anyway we finally agreed that if I let her use my credit card she would give me some keys to the campground. So here we are for two nights.

These tree lined streets will look amazing in autumn.

We are right next to a tram line and a 35 minute ride puts us in the old town. We read of an Italian grocery market that also serves great food so we headed off. Beats cooking in the van.

On the way we came across this piazza. No idea what it is called yet but will let you know. However this building was part of a 17th C palace.

Other side of the piazza.

Poked our head in the door just before mass and look what we found. Just a small church but nothing left out of the decorating budget.

The grocer is called Eataly and only sells Italian produce. Collette asked if they sold French salad dressing only to be told “We are in Italy. We don’t sell French.”

So we wandered the aisles marvelling at the 100 different olive oils and pastas and so many other things. The cellar was amazing and again all and only Italian.

There is a restaurant in the middle of the store and cellar. Naturally we booked a table.

All oil.

All pasta.

Yet to taste but I bet its good.

By 8pm the place was packed. The food and wine was only Italian with only Italian ingredients and fabulous.

Maybe tomorrow.

Tomorrow we explore Turin in finer detail. Among other things I am looking forward to the Italian car museum and Collette has found a shopping centre with plenty of air conditioned shops.

David & Collette