Ciao, Bon Giorno and Benvenotti!

We're in Pascara, the capital of Sun, Sea and Sand, on the Adriatic coast of Abruzzo,

fringed by twinkling waves and snow-capped aponine peaks and not a breath of wind.

It's the opening stage of the Giro d'Italia today, an individual time trial, finishing

in the old town of Oltona, so expect road, closures and disruption on all approaches

to town, in particular on the SS-16, through Bogata, Marina and Sanvitocchiatino, and

slap the sun cream on today folks, if you're heading out to watch the bicyclists bicycle

with highs in the mid-20s, it's going to be hot, hot, hot, and so to get you all in

the mood, here's Nick Cave and the bad seeds with the weeping song.

Matt Stevens, who I've corraled into joining me, David and Pete, on occasions to write

the month of May, was quite frequent, Matt, as your contributions have to say, it's

been a long time, I'm really enjoying it, I love having it a little pod chat, and we're

going on another voyage aren't we, another Giro voyage, but no, I'm really, I'm properly

excited, yes, I always am, and what a way to start, we're sat in a cafe, got three hours

before the start of the time trial, blue sky, I can just see the sea, I'm properly, I'm

excited.

Yeah, the weather forecast was grim before the Giro, about four or five days ago I looked

at it and it suggested it was going to be pouring with rain, all of the opening weekend,

especially today, they were thunderstorms predicted for today, but it's bright blue skies,

temperatures will be in the mid to high 20s later on today, weren't they, so it's going

to be warm, I've got a factor 50 on, me too, actually I've got a factor 25, I've doubled

up, doubled up, factor 50, essentially sunblock, but no, it's lovely, we were sharing a hotel,

...