Pisa 2026 - Day 3

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 – Day 3

Cool, pleasant temperature, clear view towards Pisa, wonderful.

But Giulio reports that a large tree has fallen and 3 trees are blocking the access road. He is on the phone continuously, and by noon the road should be passable again, and the fallen tree will be cut tomorrow. No problem! We have a rest day today and won’t leave the property until evening.

In the meantime, let’s enjoy coffee and biscuits, have prosciutto with fruit and cheese for a snack, and spend plenty of time devouring books.

Additionally, we can reflect on life, reconsider AI (“No Interest”), and think about taking a nap:

“It’s time to slow down and to enjoy the rest of the trip.”

Meanwhile, the ants have opened a 3rd main road right outside our door, since the organic waste collection has started yesterday. We observe the local tradition during lunchtime: tight curtains.

At half-past six, we’re off to Viareggio. We take a walk around the harbor, over the beach promenade (“Passeggiata”), where the famous Gran Caffè Margherita is under scaffolding, and dip our feet in the sea, stealing some sand for home. And we turn the virtual parking meter.

The goal is actually the restaurant Trattoria Fronte del Porte. We sit comfortably at a street corner by the old harbor with a view of Torre Matilde and a yard for somewhat larger boats. Hardly have we ordered our food, when unexpectedly, we get to witness a performance.

First act: Entrance of two street workers/technicians wearing safety vests. Obviously, 3 cars are blocking the entrance to the yard, despite many construction signs indicating that only stopping (for 10 min) is allowed, but not parking. Yet we are in Italy, who cares?

2 women arrive within 10 min, drive away, but the 3rd car remains stubbornly in the way, everything around it has been cleared.

Now, 2 escort vehicles arrive, and it’s getting interesting. Is a larger boat being delivered or taken out of the yard? A police officer joins, a yard worker shouts across the entire scene, and finally, the driver arrives, so free passage.

We have devoured our starters and primi piatti, and before the secondi, comes the grand entrance. Everyone runs towards the side street and pulls out their phones.

Second act: She takes the stage, which means she floats theatrically from left to right, nearly occupying the whole stage: Mangusta 94.

A luxury yacht in elegant dark blue, worth thirty million euros upon acquisition. However, the real star is the truck driver, who carefully maneuvers her between buildings, traffic signs, and trees, precisely passing by the parked cars. She needs just a little room to turn around in front of the yard and hovers back and forth until she finally veers left, meaning she is towed to the harbor. Bravo, applause!

Next comes excellent secondi, caffè e limoncello. And finally, a gas pedal by the sink!

Stuffed and happy, we head home with good music (in preparation for the concert on Saturday) to bed at 12, but sleep probably won’t come until around 2.