October 3rd-4th - just those two days to finish our ride from the north of Sardinia to Cagliari in the south. The first of those days was a big day for climbs - 2750 total metres of climbs and 120 km distance - a long tough day. The morning was dry as we climbed away from the coast...
...but by noon, it was raining. The thing about rain is that you don't want to get the camera wet and anyway, you can't see the scenery let alone get a nice picture. Ergo no photos and in the years to come when we look back, the bad weather is forgotten. But for now, we still remember pouring rain driven by strong gusty winds, and cold temperatures at the higher elevations - not at all nice.
The weather eventually passed and it was brightening up as we approached Aritzo for the night.
Better weather and more scenery changes for the following day into Cagliari.
Rae and one of the other riders, also ex Canadian Forces, took a detour in the afternoon to go by an Italian Air Force Base at Decimomannu. In Rae's days flying the F-104 in Germany, Decimomannu was used by the RCAF for weapons delivery and water survival training. No possibility of course to go onto the base, but a quick (in bicycling terms) pass by for nostalgia. The detour brought Rae's mileage for the day up to almost 150 km.
October 5th we had time in the morning to wander a bit in Cagliari. I had little recollection of town from Air Force days - I had never had the chance to go into Cagliari in daylight - so was amazed at all the history and sights to see: the cathedral...
...one of the gates and watchtowers...
...the citadel...
...Roman amphitheater carved out of limestone...
That afternoon we boarded an overnight ferry to Palermo Sicily for island number three of the trip.
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