Dozza's little car park was really peaceful and it really doesn't feel like Italy here.
The fortress town is amazing; two cobbled streets run its length from the 12th century castle, connected with little alleys. Many of the facades are decorated with bright, artistic murals and a high proportion of businesses are restaurants. It was once the stronghold for the area's wine, said to be some of Italy's finest, and the castle cellar still stores a valuable collection of vintages. This area is also noted for cherries and we buy a big bag of them.
We leave for the last of our motorway dashes past the terracotta brick towns of Bologna, Modena and Piacenza, into Emilio Romagna region with the rolling Apeninnes off to our left.
We stop in a service station advertising Telepass but no-one can tell Ali how to pay our toll from yesterday. Then it's a treasure hunt for the service point but at least the diesel is easy; park, pump, pay in shop - simples!
A few miles on the opposite carriageway has come to a standstill for a crash which doesn't look serious.
Then as we pound along the flat plains the alps start to shimmer in the distance, the snow capped peaks growing with every mile. The last section is very pretty, vines and flowers, mostly poppies.
We ring Nick and Grete, and decide they are just a bit too far away to meet tonight so we'll get together tomorrow.
Our day's drive ends in Alba, in a quiet car park near the river.

Dinner - chicken and couscous
CD - Elton John Greatest Hits.