San Marino 7th - 11th June

I have spent my days ambling about this enchanting city.
There is no end to the alleys and lanes that twist and turn in every direction.
The history that dates back to the year 301 and then the Towers that were built in the 13th Century and something that I will always fondly remember.
We would walk to one of the highest restaurants on the mountain where we could look out on the valley and drink house wine and eat pizza.
Every day we learn a new Italian word and I am sure if we stayed long enough we would be able to have a decent conversation.

One morning I could even explain to the lady that I wanted a fried egg and not scrambled as they usually do. I get a special breakfast each morning as I come down after all the shooters and jury have left and she is just full of smiles to see if she can improve her English with me.
Thursday morning we woke up to fog (or so we thought) right to our balcony door but we are so high that it was the clouds passing. It is damp weather but it cleared a bit as the day went by. Did not stop me from wandering off into the town.
Thursday Evening we also had a special invite to a fancy restaurant in town. We took a walk and as usual it was ups and downs to the restaurant. We were met with champagne and cheesy flat breads and then it was just wine and food after that. There were seven courses in all and they were all fish except for the desert. Every now and then a sorbet as a palate cleanser and then more fish and more wine.
Everyone really battled to get up for the last day on Friday after we only got to bed at midnight. Again it was a long day for them as the the finals took them to after seven 'o clock.
Saturday all was packed up and we are taken back to Bologna for our flight to London.
It's been beautiful but very long, as you can see the entire city in five days but I did get to relax and just chill.
British Airways is nothing to write home about and after an hour delay because they could not line up the tube with the plane they brought some stairs and shooed us all out as they were then running late. Customs took forever and we were so lucky to get onto the last tube to Debdon. Only got to Clint after one in the morning.
It's been lovely, even though our weather was up and down but it is good to be on our way home.

San Marino 5 & 6 June

Some Of The Flags

Richard Doing His Job

On Monday I went with to the shooting for the Mens Double
Trap.
There are approc 400 shooters from 78 countries taking part over these 10days.

Electronic Scoreboards

Shooting Range Seen From Hotel

It is a loooong day for this jury. If you are a referee you are at least busy most of the day but the jury they just keep
checking all is in order.
Scoring is done electronically and at any time you know exactly
what you have shot.
 The sun was out and there was some very good shooting and then a black cloud came over the mountain and the heavens opened.
The final was delayed for an hour.
We only got back to the Hotel at about 7:30 and didn't even go out for supper we were so bushed

San Marino - 2 - 4 June

Supper At The Hotel

The Shotgun Jury Members

Richard had to get straight to work this morning so he has
breakfast on his own and I amble down a bit later.
There are so many winding paths to explore and each time a new view pops up on another side of the mountain.
Last night we ate at the Hotel Cesare were we are staying but it is awfully expensive, especially when we convert. Our portion of the meal was 70 Euro,

Falconry Show

Falconry Show

making it R 1 207. That was not splashing it just a main meal and we had a glass of wine.
We have a lovely room with a balcony overlooking the
countryside of San Marino. We do have the smallest shower I have seen in a long time and Richard has quite a battle with the walls and the shower door - all you hear is the banging and the cursing when he bumps his elbow and doesn't have anywhere to put down the shampoo. I just have a good giggle.
Thursday evening we went to the official opening ceremony held at the shooting grounds. All the dignitaries from Tourism, Olympic Committee Members and ISSF Presidents gave speeches that had to be translated. There was also a Falconry display and we had buffet at the Club

San Marino - 1st June

Scene In Town

The Alps From The Plane

We were up and about early and off to Heathrow on 1st June and then at the airport we had an upheaval about our hand luggage. The top zipper pocket was too fat to fit into the luggage sizer so they wanted us to let it go into the cargo luggage but then we would have to pay 65 pounds extra for each bag. We did a bit of repacking, went back and all was okay and then she tells us to let it

View From Our Balcony

Taking A Walk

go into cargo anyway. Didn't understand that!!
We sat on the runway for about  45 minutes before take off but we
are on holiday so.......
ISSF staff pick us up at Bologna Airport ad it was a 2 hour drive (Italian style) to San Marino.
It is absolutely fairy tale stuff. This town that was built on Mount Titano is seen from miles and the climb to the top is spectacular.
San Marino claims to be the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional state in the world, as the continuation of the monastic community founded on 3 September 301 is still functional.