retiredmartin

June 2024. Vaduz – Milan.

Day 2 of our 4 day raid on the micronations; a 4 hour coach ride from Vaduz into Milan, the UK equivalent of the train from Llandrindod Wells to Swansea,

with the splendour of Lake Lugano and Flix Wi-Fi the highlights.

Then umped at Lampugnano bus station,

a seedy suburb just north of the San Siro, though frankly the drone view shows mainly horse racing and outdoor concert venues,

with the San Siro itself showing its age (older than me).

I’d promised Mrs RM our B&B hotel was close to the bus station, but I hadn’t reckoned on not being able to walk across that racecourse I’d assumed was a park, which is why you should never listen to a word I say.

So, our ambitions were limited as we headed into suburban Milan at 9pm for a pie pasta and a pint.

Mrs RM plonked down at the first roadside restaurant we saw, an unfussy place with £5 margherita pizzas and £25 seafood dishes and a romantic view of parked vehicles and scrubland.

Unfussy, bar the bloke from Sheffield who managed to change his mind five (5) times before settling on salad and pizza and a spoonful of Mrs RM’s Cartoccio Vongole.

40% of the meal budget went on the Rosé wine, a wise choice I thought,

until I remembered we had a pub next door.

Old Tenconi is one of those lovely Italian all-rounders;

tobacconist, scratch card seller,

obligatory early ’90s pop from Lenny Kravitz and Amy,

and a bar with German and Belgian staples.

Belgian ? Yep, it’s Delirium Tremens in that Tennents glass, washing down the obligatory pudding.

The barman is great, all the Italians were cheery on our trip, and although it’s not straight into my Top 100 it’s worth your time, if only to observe Milano fashions. Nearly all the trade was fags and vapes.

But the real pubby treat would have to wait till the next morning…