Riding in Tuscany

[GatorTiger]

Originally Posted by lefteris

Let's discuss something else now.
Let's say you want to sell your bike to buy a new gsa. A friend of yours wants your bike, but hasn't got the money to buy it. So what do you do?

If the friend doesn't have the money, then he shouldn't buy the bike in the first place!

Sorry for the hijack of your excellent and insightful report, Tage!

[tagesk]

Originally Posted by lefteris

But I have some things to say, as I don't agree with some of your conclusions...

It seems to me that we fully agree on the state of affairs. In particular, even though the Greeks in theory
have them selves to blame for the politicians they have elected, this is not a fair way to look on the crisis.
The political elite has, as far as we understood, in unison taken the country to the abyss. And, as always, the common
man in the street will be left to pay the bill.

I understand your "bicycle"-example, and it is a good one. In particular, it shows that there are two partners
in this. And that both should pay. But, again, the political elite has not played the cards well on behalf of
the Greeks. Who, at the end of the day, are left to pay all alone.

Finally about the tolls: Here in Tuscany, and northern Italy in general, the toll on the Autostrada is about
1 euro/10 km. As I said, we didn't pay any tolls anywhere in Greece (apart from the bridge in Patras). Once we passed a toll
station, outside Thessaloniki on the high way, but it was closed (not operating). Also, there are no tolls in the Kastoria-area
in the north, or on the highway south-east from Kastoria down to the coast, or from the coast up north towards
the border of Bulgaria.
If we were just lucky, that is obviously a Good Thing.

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I hope to meet you one day. Here in Tuscany, or in Greece!
Remember - we still have to do the "Museum tour" of Greece.

All the best to all my Greek friends!

[TaSK]

[Phone Guy]

Originally Posted by lefteris

Another fact is that our neighbourhood (the Balkans) has been for years the playground of big countries (USA, Russia, UK) foreign politics. Countries have been created from nothing, the borders have been changing till now. Nothing is granted and national security isn't a given.

The two facts above combined make the Greeks very sensitive about the "Macedonia or FYROM problem". Some are foreseeing an evil plan (from the USA, Turkey, the Jews, choose what you like :-)) to take a part of our country and some a very angry as somebody is trying to steal their history...

I deleted my response to the above as I choose not to taint a great ride report with Politics.

P.S. tagesk, I have been following your reports and have enjoyed the photos as well. I am also inspired by your love of good "Coffee".

[atermon]

Originally Posted by tagesk

Remember - we still have to do the "Museum tour" of Greece.

[TaSK]

and the island tour.

as far as toll goes, Mr Tagesk approach of traveling through B-roads, mountain passes and scenic routes has kept them out of "harms" way.

for example riding from Volos to Chalkida through North Evoia you have skipped 3 toll stations and from Chalkida to Nafplio you skipped another 2 (the least).
west to east highway (Egnatia) is getting toll stations up and running as we speak.
there is a heated public debate over tolls right now in Greece so your comments may have raised some eyebrows.


so Portugal next. Italy Spain Greece and now Portugal. that's kinda odd...

[musicman]

Originally Posted by lefteris

Hi Tage!

Let's say you want to sell your bike to buy a new gsa. A friend of yours wants your bike, but hasn't got the money to buy it. So what do you do? You lend him some money (with interest)

key word above is "wants" when "need" should have been the criteria.

Observing the way different countries tax & spend our money is part of the fun of traveling. I wish the US government would tax fuel like Europe, then reduce our oppressive income tax to make the whole process revenue-neutral. Then this country would not be full of huge pickup trucks being using 99% as cars.

[quicktoys2]

Originally Posted by tagesk

Keep me informed, will you?
Capa Superiore sends her best wishes!

[TaSK]

As requested,

He was born on 12/01/2011 at 17:22 ...... a big baby like his dad 53cm and 3.67Kg.

:)

[tagesk]

Originally Posted by quicktoys2

As requested,

He was born on 12/01/2011 at 17:22 ...... a big baby like his dad 53cm and 3.67Kg.

:)

[TaSK], acting on orders from Capa Superiore della Famiglia!

[lefteris]

Originally Posted by tagesk

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I hope to meet you one day. Here in Tuscany, or in Greece![TaSK]

I'll be more than glad to meet you one day!

Thanks again for your report...

Lefteris

[Cooltours]

Originally Posted by lefteris

Hi Tage!

....
Let's discuss something else now.
Let's say you want to sell your bike to buy a new gsa. A friend of yours wants your bike, but hasn't got the money to buy it. So what do you do? You lend him some money (with interest) and he buys your bike. So you have a double win situation. That's the problem with Greece and Germany. Germany has lend Greece much money, but a great part of it has gone back to Germany through military equipment contracts.
...

Uhm, just to make sure I got this one correct:
You blame Tage's friend for asking Tage to finally pay that GSA which he was kind enough to give him on lease some years ago?
Shouldn't it be other way around that you wanted to blame Tage for getting himself a toy, although he exactly knew before that he can’t aford, but didn’t tell his friend that there’s a good chance’s to se neither his GSA nor some cash anymore? That’s… well, interesting concept at least.

[tagesk]

Originally Posted by Cooltours

Uhm, just to make sure I got this one correct:

Argh - you Swiss lack any financial creativity.
Yes, it made you rich, but you missed all the fun


Best wishes for the new year my friend
Is it unpolite to tell you that I have done 2.000 km so far this year!
If it was possible (on the bike, I mean) I would come and visit you this coming week end.
I deserve fondue!

[TaSK]

[Grouik]

At the end of reading a ride report, I ask myself if this has been a good ride report. One that has enriched my life. One worth living for.

This one is for sure a good one

Thank you Tage

[tagesk]

Originally Posted by Grouik

At the end of reading a ride report, I ask myself if this has been a good ride report. One that has enriched my life. One worth living for.

This one is for sure a good one

Thank you Tage

Sir,
By chance it is my birthday today. I could not go riding (for many reasons), and Capa Superiore is not
at home to give me a present.

I will, if I may, take your very kind comment as this years birthday present.
Very kind of you!

[TaSK]

[marty hill]

Happy birthday!!!

[TwilightZone]

Happy birthday then! Looking forward to your ride report from Portugal... great reads and nice travels.

>"...and Capa Superiore is not at home to give me a present."
Hmmm.. is she out buying a GS 1200? (Well, one can hope anyway. )

[rous44]

Tagesk,
My wife and I will be spending several weeks this June in Barbarino de Mugello. Perhaps you and your lady could join us for dinner one night.
Unfortunately I will not be on two wheels, but would like to see you just the same.
Love your pictures and commentary on Tuscany.




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